As we enter a new year, many of us aim for ambitious resolutions, including achieving financial success. One often-overlooked but highly effective way to achieve this is through Intellectual Property (IP) ownership—be it Trademarks, Patents, Industrial Designs, or Copyrights. Hard to imagine? Let’s look at some inspiring examples of how IP has made others wealthy.
- Trademarks: David Beckham Earned USD 36 Million in 2024
By licensing his name to major companies like Adidas, Nespresso, and Stella Artois, the English football icon significantly boosted his income from the previous year, which was “just” USD 16.2 million. This is remarkable, considering he retired more than a decade ago.
Moreover, the entire Beckham family, from his wife Victoria to his children Brooklyn, Romeo, Cruz, and Harper, have also registered their names as Trademarks with the UK Intellectual Property Office (UKIPO). So, if you have a unique name with notable achievements, don’t hesitate to register it and use it as your business identity.
- Patents: Dyson’s Innovations Generated GBP 1.4 Billion in 2023
Founded by Sir James Dyson in 1991, Dyson started with the revolutionary bagless vacuum cleaner. Today, its innovations extend to other technologies used in household appliances such as hand dryers, bladeless fans, air purifiers, and hair styling tools.
Although the company invests heavily in R&D for AI, robotics, and cutting-edge battery technologies, its tens of thousands of registered patents have been licensed to numerous companies worldwide, providing additional revenue beyond the sales of finished products. In 2023, Dyson’s total revenue reached GBP 7.1 billion!
- Copyrights: Mariah Carey’s Royalties Reach USD 3 Million Annually
In the entertainment world, Copyright is an invaluable asset. For instance, Mariah Carey’s timeless hit, “All I Want for Christmas Is You,” has generated annual royalties of around IDR 48 billion despite being released in 1994. These royalties come from frequent airplay on radio, streaming platforms, and usage in films and commercials every holiday season.
If you create a song or movie with a holiday theme, its popularity and playback could grow yearly, allowing you to earn passive income through royalties.
- Industrial Designs: Bandai’s 20 Billion Yen Annual Revenue from “Henshin Belt”
It’s no secret that the Kamen Rider series serves as a year-long advertisement for toys. Each year, a new Kamen Rider series is introduced, complete with a new Henshin Belt—more sophisticated and unique, following current trends.In the story, the Henshin Belt is a high-tech device enabling the protagonist to transform into a superhero. To captivate children, the toy version incorporates engaging “gimmicks.” For example, in the latest series, Kamen Rider GAVV, the gimmick involves inserting small monster-shaped collectibles into the belt to unlock various powers.
Bandai registers the Industrial Design for the belt and its collectible monsters to ensure exclusivity and economic rights. With this protection, no other party can legally use the unique design without permission. The result? Annual toy sales of approximately USD 134 million!
These examples show that Intellectual Property isn’t just a foreign concept—it’s also applicable in Indonesia or everywhere. You can use your name as a Trademark for a restaurant franchise or create a unique product design registered as an Industrial Design. As long as your IP is protected, it will continue to generate opportunities to build wealth in the future.
If you’re an innovator, business owner, athlete, musician, or creator from any background, IP-based business opportunities can be a promising source of future income. To learn more about securing legal protection for your Intellectual Property, reach out to us at [email protected].
