I discovered one of my personal favorite IKEA videos promoting its all new 2015 BookBook:

So what kind of intellectual property does IKEA have in its BookBook?

  1. copyright in the content of the BookBook
  2. copyright in the individual pictures in the BookBook
  3. copyright in the video
  4. trade secret in the distribution list for the BookBook
  5. let's throw in some goodwill for such a great video

Speaking of interesting things in the BookBook, it might also be time to jump on the standing desk bandwagon with IKEA's new BEKANT adjustable standing desk.  At $498, it is a fraction of the cost of most full-sized adjustable desks. I read about it at Wired.com and also at Gizmodo.  When I checked today, it was not yet on the IKEA website.  I'm intrigued.

So what kind of intellectual property does IKEA have in its BEKANT adjustable desk?

  1. potential patentability of the design of the desk
  2. trademark for BEKAN
  3. copyright in video created for YouTube
  4. copyright in the design documents (i.e., CAD file)

I was surprised by how many patents IKEA has on its quirky products. A few images from a couple recent IKEA design patents are shown.

Please inventory your intellectual property!

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