IP management
From the start, Mr. Potter understood the value of intellectual property (IP) and securing IP rights (IPRs). As a general rule, the company has an IP strategy to secure IPRs for all of its IP, from the company name to the innovative designs it uses for its pizza delivery boxes. For Eagle Boys, formal IP protection gives the company tangible, saleable assets which it can control centrally and then package into its franchise system. Doing so lessens the likelihood that competing business will infringe on the company’s IP.
Just as important as securing IPRs is an in-house understanding how to manage them. To that end, the company ensures that its public relations, marketing and design teams all understand that no new product developments, trademarks, slogans or any other valuable information can be divulged to the public before formal IPR applications have been made. The company’s franchisees know that the power of their franchise lies in the Eagle Boys IP. Because any premature public disclosure would only derail the company’s success – and the success of the franchisees – Eagle Boys works with an IP specialist to educate its employees and franchisees to ensure that the value of its IP is not needlessly compromised. In addition, all franchisees are educated on how to spot IP infringement and are the company’s eyes, ears and first line of defense against those who may wish to illegally ride the coattails of Eagle Boys’ success.