Novatech was founded in 2022 with the following vision: Develop digital solutions that contribute to emission reduction in energy-intensive industries. Their first commercial product, Novatech NESSi, is a cloud-based software that uses AI and machine learning to predict and reduce emissions. This solution is an important tool for companies working towards the goal of zero emissions.
Rights ensure market position
- For Novatech, rights are fundamental in the work to establish and maintain our reputation as a reliable and innovative player in the industry, says CEO Knut Husdal. - Protecting the brand is important, which is why we have registered the trademark. The purpose is that the rights should contribute to securing our position in the market. Fortunately, the company has not experienced direct copying or infringement of its rights so far.
– The rights have been crucial for building trust with both investors and customers. I myself have experienced being asked about both the degree of brand protection and the strategy for this by potential investors.
Knut Husdal
Knut Husdal
Novatech's IP strategy
To ensure a professional and efficient registration of the Novatech NESSi brand, we collaborated with an IP advisor at Innovation Norway. It made navigating the complex landscape of IP rights easy. In collaboration with them, the company has created a strategy for intellectual property rights. - We have chosen to register the brand, but not apply for patents because patents have limited value for software, says Husdal. - Our strategy is to keep the source code secret and always stay ahead of our competitors. We have trade secrets in the company with which we have a conscious relationship. We regularly have a chat about what is okay to talk about and what we don't mention directly, says Husdal.
Advice for other businesses
Husdal will give the following advice to entrepreneurs and start-ups: - Consider which parts of the business require securing IP rights at an early stage. Those who have ambitions for international expansion should familiarize themselves with the IP legislation in the relevant markets. This applies especially if you want patents, but also brand protection. Not least, it can be decisive for accessibility to different markets, concludes Husdal.
