Competition is becoming increasingly global. The development of new technologies is picking up speed. Client needs change. New markets open up. Commercial niches become available. Research and development (R&D) and innovation allow businesses to protect their position and to take advantage of new opportunities by continuously improving and expanding their product offer.

The results and findings obtained through R&D and innovation should be protected quickly against imitation or copying by the competition. The efficient use of intellectual property rights is essential for any business involved with R&D and innovation. Intellectual property provides legal protection and thus ensures that small and medium-sized businesses can compete with larger businesses.

The current section has been developed together with The Luxembourg Portal for Innovation and Research and the Office for Intellectual Property, and presents, on the one hand, essential information concerning innovation and research activities in businesses, and on the other hand, the procedures required allowing businesses to protect their rights in terms of intellectual property.