A patent is a government-issued legal right that grants an inventor or assignee exclusive rights to make, use, sell, or license an invention for a defined period of time, typically 20 years. In the context of selling a business, patents are more than just intellectual property—they are tangible assets that can significantly impact valuation, negotiating leverage, and buyer interest.

Selling your business is a journey, not an event. A structured timeline helps you stay on track, manage expectations, and maximize value. Here’s a deep dive into each phase of “The Listing Timeline,” with best practices and actionable insights.

A trademark is any word, phrase, symbol, design, or combination thereof that identifies and distinguishes the source of goods or services of one party from those of others. In other words, it’s your brand’s signature—everything from your logo and tagline to unique product names.

In the world of business sales, intangibles often carry the most weight. A clean copyright portfolio is like having a clear title on your house—it builds trust, adds value, and smooths the path to closing.