Should I protect my Intellectual Property overseas?

If you plan to do business or you are already trading abroad, it’s essential to know how to use, protect, and enforce the intellectual property rights that you own.

IP rights are territorial. They only give protection in the countries where they are granted or registered. That means if you only have UK protection others may be allowed to use your IP abroad without infringing your rights.

If you’re thinking about trading overseas then you should consider the benefits of registering your IP rights abroad, ahead of entering the market. You should protect the markets that you want to trade in and potentially infringing markets tot.

The Intellectual Property Office has produced country guides which will help you think about how to protect your IP in key markets throughout the world.

If you are thinking of doing business in Southeast Asia, China, Brazil or India then more help and advice is available through our intellectual property attaches. They work with local Department of International Trade and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to provide support for UK businesses seeking advice on local IP matters.

The IP attaches are based in their representative countries under a great source of help with IP rights from host government to local business level. Their services are free so why not give them a call.

MORE ABOUT INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

Should I license or franchise my Intellectual Property?

Do I have Intellectual Property rights?

What is intellectual property?

Is Intellectual Property important to my business?

Should I get a trademark?

Should I get a patent?

Should I have a registered design?

Is copyright important to my business?

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