IP rights can help a business

- prevent competitors from copying its products or services

- create a strong identity through a trademark/branding strategy

- obtain valuable commercial and technological information, saving research/
  development/ marketing time and resources

- gain revenues through licensing, franchising or other IP transactions

- obtain financing or venture capital

- increase its commercial value

- access new markets

By engaging in the IP field, chambers of commerce can

- help their members and local economies increase their competitiveness

- demonstrate leadership in a cutting edge issue in the modern economy

- attract new members especially in highly innovative sectors

- generate new sources of income through new services