IP Audit & Due Diligence
Revealing the Hidden Value and Risks in Your Business
Intellectual Property often makes up a significant portion of a company's value, yet it is frequently undocumented or overlooked. An IP Audit is a systematic review to identify, verify and document all your IP assets (from registered trademarks to undocumented trade secrets).
IP Due Diligence, on the other hand, is critical during transactions such as Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A), joint ventures or fundraising. It ensures that the IP you are buying (or selling) is valid, enforceable and free from encumbrances. Without it, investors risk "buying a lawsuit" or overpaying for assets they don’t actually own.
Our IP Audit & Due Diligence Services Include:
- Identification & verification of registrable/non-registrable rights - We conduct comprehensive reviews to identify "hidden" assets like copyright works, software code and trade secrets, ensuring they are properly documented and secured.
- IP due diligence for M&A, investments & joint ventures - We perform deep-dive investigations for buyers and sellers to verify ownership chains, check for encumbrances and assess the validity of key assets before the deal closes.
- Risk assessment for ownership gaps & protection lapses - We review employment contracts and assignment agreements to ensure that the company (not the individual employee or vendor) actually owns the IP, fixing any gaps before they become disputes.
- Valuation support & optimisation strategies - We help you understand the commercial worth of your intangible assets for fundraising or sale, using established methods to assess brand value and future revenue potential
FAQs- Common Client Concerns
This is a critical "Freedom to Operate" risk. If an audit uncovers potential infringement, we can help you proactively manage it, by seeking a license, designing around the issue or challenging the validity of the other party's right, before it turns into a costly lawsuit.
Investors need to verify that the technology they are buying is not just "innovative" but legally owned and enforceable. Due diligence uncovers "deal-killers" such as expired patents, ownership disputes or pending litigation that financial audits often miss.
Yes. We provide IP Valuation support to assess the financial worth of your brands, patents and technologies. This is essential for determining a fair price during mergers, joint ventures or when using IP as collateral for bank financing .
An ownership gap occurs when a company uses an asset but doesn't legally own it, often because a founder, employee or external vendor didn't sign a written assignment. We identify these gaps and draft the necessary "Confirmatory Assignments" to secure your title.
Yes. Since IP rights are territorial, we review your protection status in all key markets. We work with our network of foreign associates to ensure your global portfolio is valid, renewed and aligned with your export strategy.
Absolutely. Many companies pay renewal fees for "dead" assets (e.g., brands they no longer use). An audit helps you "prune" your portfolio, letting go of obsolete rights to save money while focusing your budget on high-value assets.
This is a common dispute. If an audit reveals that an employee retained ownership due to a weak employment contract, we advise on the legal remedies to transfer those rights to the company and prevent the employee from taking the IP to a competitor.
Yes. Trade secrets (like client lists or recipes) are only protected if you take "reasonable steps" to keep them secret. An audit verifies if your NDAs, IT security and internal access policies are legally sufficient to claim protection in court .
Yes. An audit often uncovers underutilised assets that can be monetised. Once identified, we can help you structure licensing or franchising deals to turn these dormant assets into active revenue streams.
We recommend an audit whenever your business direction changes (e.g., launching a new product line), before a funding round or every 2-3 years. This ensures your legal protection evolves in step with your business growth and market changes.
Related Solutions
Domain Names &
Digital Assests
IP Awareness
Training
Trademark
Services
Patent
Services
Copyright
Services
Industrial Design
Services
Business Reputation &
Passing Off
Trade Secret
Services
Licensing Agreement
& Know-How
Awards and Recognition
We are proud to be nominated as the top finalists of "SE Asia Law Firm of the Year" and "Malaysia Law Firm of the Year" by ALB (Asian Legal Business) Law Awards 2018 and 2019.
Why Choose Us
We view IP not just as a legal checklist, but as a financial asset. Our team combines legal expertise with commercial acumen to help you identify, value and secure your IP. Whether you are preparing for an exit or acquiring a competitor, we ensure you have the full picture before you sign on the dotted line.
Contact us today to audit your assets and/or to perform IP due diligence to mitigate risk in your next transaction.