…embarks on global journey
Ghanaian fashion company Chalé Clothing Ltd. has launched its intellectual property (IP) policy at a recent event in Accra. The IP policy identified all IP assets that belong to Chalé Clothing Ltd., and steps have been taken to protect these assets, evaluate, monitor and exploit them to ensure that Chalé Clothing Ltd. reap maximum benefits from them.
The intellectual property policy also seeks to protect the company’s creative designs, which is aimed at guiding the company to identify all its IP assets, manage and enforce its rights over its artistic works.
Speaking at the launch ceremony, Issah Mahama, CEO of IP and Research Consult and a Principal Research Officer at the Copyright Office, emphasised the importance of having an IP policy, saying: “Companies identified and protect all their IP assets that will give them exclusive rights to manage and enforce their right. If one doesn’t protect their IP assetsthey are open for other people to exploit freely without reverting to you for either licensing or assignment agreement.
“Protecting it also allows you to get legal backing and commercial value out of its exploitation. Also, the protected IP assets will enable Chalé to achieve the following goals: strong market position and competitive advantage, higher profit or returns on investment, additional income from licensing, creative bargaining power in business deals, and positive image of your enterprise.”
Kurtis Kudjo, Co-Founder & Creative Director of Chalé Clothing, on the other hand, explained their reason to have an IP policy, saying: “We decided to get an IP policy because we believe that as a creative business, IP is the bloodline of what we do. When we take care of our creativity, it will also take care of us. Our first step is to know what the IP is and what the policy stands for and what we stand to gain from it. This is to help us grow the brand the right way and protect our IP that we do”.
“As a brand in the business of fashion, it is important to take steps to protect your business and designs. Doing this is in line with growing the business and making sure that we are recognised and known for what we create, especially as creatives,” he added.
Intellectual property (IP), according to the World Intellectual Property Organisation, refers to the creations of the human mind, such as inventions, literary and artistic works, designs, and symbols, names and images used in commerce. Some of the best-known types are patents, copyrights, trademarks, etc.
Chalé Clothing Limited was established in 2015 and currently houses Chalé Socks, Chalé.Global, and OneChalé Charity brands.
