What happened?

This week, we studied three key entrepreneurial topics: Sustainability, Business Ethics, and Intellectual Property Rights (IPR). Through case studies (such as Oddbox, JUUL, Google, etc.), I understand that these issues have a fundamental impact on the legitimacy and long-term viability of entrepreneurial projects. Through this week’s study, I realised that the importance of compliance and ethics in the entrepreneurial process cannot be ignored. Through the understanding of intellectual property and sustainable development, I have laid a solid foundation for my future career in business compliance, sustainable development management or entrepreneurship.

In the group discussion task, I was responsible for reviewing the UK Intellectual Property Office (UKIPO) guidelines and studying how to register trademarks and copyrights in the early stages of entrepreneurship. I also analysed whether our project’s existing LOGO involved potential infringement and suggested using a self-made original icon in the next iteration. At the same time, I also suggested that we explore the possibility of using degradable materials in response to growing environmental regulatory requirements.

So what?

I used to think that “imitating the interface of competing products” was a common market behaviour. However, through studying Müller & Kerényi’s (2019) analysis of the moral trust mechanism in the digital age, I realised that the most easily overlooked thing in the entrepreneurial process is the “bottom line ethics”.

My most profound gain is a new understanding of the “pre-emptive” nature of intellectual property protection. Referring to Zacharakis et al. (2020) and Intuit QuickBooks’ patent guidance, I realized that if early projects lack the definition of the ownership of intellectual assets such as code, LOGO, platform architecture, etc., it is very easy to question the legitimacy when financing or expanding..

Now what?

I plan to add a “Sustainability Plan Chapter” to the business plan. In addition, I plan to develop an “Intellectual Property Checklist” based on the UKIPO guidelines. Finally, the team needs to initiate a “Digital Startup Ethics Lunch”. I plan to show Amazon’s Corporate Responsibility Report and Intuit’s Data Protection Guidelines. This can make members aware that there are reputational red lines beyond the law.