The Patent is there to protect you, Wayne Langford, managing director of Sudstech Technologies Limited (STL), has reminded the industry.
If you have something that looks a particular way, or performs a particular function, a Patent gives you the legal right to ownership.
"As a business, owning - or not owning - the Patent rights to a particular invention may be the thing that makes or breaks you," he said. "The Patent protects the product but it is also very much an asset when it comes to growing a business.
"Firstly it grants the owner the right to seek to legally exclude others from making, selling, using or importing the patented invention. If you have something that's going to be your unique selling proposition, the Patent is the thing to make sure it stays that way.
"Secondly, it can be seen as marking out a business's self-confidence and preparedness to go the distance.
"Through my company, STL we recently acquired the US Patent rights for my porous paving system, Sudscape. It was pleasing because it covers all recyclable materials used in the stone resin topping of our products.
"That Patent accompanies the UK and South African Patents and licences that STL already hold for our Sudscape, Sudstech and Trailflex systems.
"For us to obtain the US Patent rights and have several more Patents Pending is invaluable. We are ready to expand our environmentally friendly, sustainable drainage business internationally.
"That would never have been the case if we hadn't protected our biggest asset - our range of products."
