Companies that maintain growth in tough times without sacrificing core value are likely to emerge from the recession in better shape than ever before.

Lawyers say that a good place to look for value is within the company—at the patents, designs, trademarks and copyrighted material.

In good times, companies with cross-border interests are likely to lose track of IP assets written in different languages and tailored to different jurisdictions. Eileen McMahon advises companies to split scattered assets into three baskets:

• core assets that have a "direct impact on market exclusivity" that generate sales and licensing opportunities in new markets
• "nice to have" assets that run up hefty maintenance bills year-on-year without bringing in top-line revenues—companies should set deadlines for these to start making money, and sell them in cases where they lie dormant
• dead wood—however, one company's dead wood could be another company's money-spinner

With the house back in order, companies can start tracking and leveraging their assets systematically, and enforcing IP rights judiciously abroad to help generate extra revenue.