Answer first: As charities expand their branding and online presence, they become targets for sophisticated intellectual property scams, including fraudulent trade mark invoices and misleading domain name solicitations. Trustees must recognise intellectual property as a critical asset, implement protective measures such as trade ma…
Patents context for IP teams
Charities often prioritise safeguarding funding, property, and governance when protecting their assets. However, many also hold valuable intellectual property (IP), including their name, logo, campaigns, publications, and digital content. This IP is increasingly central to a charity’s identity and fundraising efforts.
With charities investing more in branding and digital engagement, they face heightened exposure not only to misuse by third parties but also to sophisticated IP-related scams. These scams commonly involve fraudulent trade mark invoices, misleading registration requests, and aggressive copyright demands.
Key takeaways for intellectual property scams affecting charities
- Confirm how the development affects patents ownership, enforcement, licensing, or portfolio records.
- Separate confirmed facts from legal interpretation before advising business teams.
- Map deadlines, affected assets, contracts, and evidence files to the responsible internal owner.
- Use the issue as a prompt for monitoring, filing strategy, dispute preparation, or member education.
Practical analysis
Trustees have a duty to act in the charity’s best interests and manage resources responsibly. Recognising intellectual property as a significant asset is essential to fulfilling this duty.
A charity’s name and logo often represent some of its most valuable assets. Trade mark registration can provide stronger legal protection, helping prevent third parties from using similar branding that could confuse donors, beneficiaries, or supporters.
This protection is particularly important for charities operating nationally, conducting public fundraising campaigns, or collaborating with partner organisations. Additionally, campaign titles, programme names, and slogans may qualify for trade mark protection if they are sufficiently distinctive.
For example, a charity might seek to protect the name of a major awareness campaign or fundraising initiative to prevent unauthorised third-party use.
Copyright protection generally arises automatically in original written and creative works. Many charity materials, such as publications and online content, may already benefit from copyright protection.
However, charities must ensure they own the rights to the materials they use. Content created by consultants, freelancers, agencies, or volunteers may not automatically belong to the charity without appropriate written agreements.
Moreover, the presence of content online does not imply it is free to use. Unauthorised use of third-party content can expose charities to infringement claims.
One prevalent IP scam involves invoices or payment requests that appear related to trade mark registration or renewal services. These communications often use official-looking branding, reference genuine trade mark application numbers, and request payment for unnecessary or misleading services.
In the UK, official trade mark registrations are managed by the UK Intellectual Property Office (UKIPO). Charities should carefully verify any unexpected correspondence before making payments.
Charities may also receive communications warning that third parties are attempting to register domain names connected to their branding. Fraudsters may pressure charities into urgently purchasing multiple domains to “protect” their brand.
While domain name protection can be important, charities should critically assess such claims and seek professional advice when appropriate.
Overall, trustees should consider both how to protect their charity’s intellectual property rights and how to guard against scams related to those rights. Proactive IP management and vigilance against deceptive practices are key to preserving a charity’s reputation and resources.
Related IIPLA reading
Safeguarding Charities from Intellectual Property Scams and Protecting Valuable IP Assets As charities expand their branding and online presence, they become targets for sophisticated intellectual property scams, including fraudulent trade mark invoices and misleading domain name solicitations. Trustees must... Read the full IIPLA blog post: https://iipla.org/blog/safeguarding-charities-from-intellectual-property-scams-and-protecting-valuable-ip-assets