Globalization may seem like a problem for large companies, but Main Street merchants must also consider the impact of an increasingly international market. By some estimates, up to 97% of all U. S. businesses may be serving global customers sooner than you thought, and when you start selling overseas, it's important to protect your intellectual property (IP) to maintain your competitive advantage.
Here's What You Need to Know to Protect Your Intellectual Property Internationally. First, make sure you carry out your due diligence before working with foreign partners. Business services website to investigate a potential buyer or distributor and find out if they have committed any intellectual property infringement. Be sure to work with legal counsel to develop strong language that protects your intellectual property rights in any licensing and subcontracting agreement.
Finally, a trademark covers the protection of a word, phrase, or logo that identifies a product or service used to distinguish itself from the competition. Trademarks face restrictions similar to patents; the United States has not signed any treaty to extend trademark protection beyond its borders. The law confers the benefits of trademark protection through the prior registration of a foreign trademark, the situation will vary depending on the national laws of the destination country, writes a legal expert. CO aims to provide you with inspiration from top respected experts. However, before making any business decision, you should consult a professional who can advise you based on your individual situation.
CO is committed to helping you start, manage and grow your small business. Learn more about the benefits of being a small business member in the U. S. UU. The Chamber of Commerce can help your company grow and thrive in today's rapidly evolving business environment.
Contact our team to learn how small business membership can benefit your results and help you achieve your goals. Expert business advice, news and trends, delivered weekly Designed for business owners, CO is a site that connects as minds and offers actionable information for next-level growth. The Protocol is an international agreement that allows businesses to register their trademarks in multiple countries at once. Using the Protocol, a business owner can submit an application to the World Intellectual Property Organization (“WIPO”) and check the box corresponding to each individual country in which they wish to obtain the rights. The application is then sent to all those different countries for their own individual review. Find information on how to apply for individual patents or trademarks in a foreign country at that country's intellectual property office; the World Intellectual Property Organization maintains a list of intellectual property offices around the world.
For US applicants, there are basically two methods for obtaining trademark registration in a foreign country. The Hague Agreement provides a mechanism for acquiring, maintaining and managing design rights in member countries and intergovernmental organizations through a single international application filed with the International Office of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). If you already have a US registration in the U. S., you will protect your trademark rights only in the United States, not in other countries. ExploreIP is a tool for companies, creators, entrepreneurs and innovators to discover intellectual property (IP) held by public sector institutions and to harness innovative research and discoveries, stimulating collaborations that could help launch the next great innovation.
Intellectual property rights toolkits provide detailed information on the protection and enforcement of intellectual property rights in specific markets, along with contact information for local intellectual property rights offices abroad and applications for international registration under the Madrid System can be submitted through the WIPO electronic filing service in Madrid, which is accessed through CIPO's online services. The CIPO offers a guide that provides considerations based on your business objectives that will allow you to develop a detailed intellectual property (IP) strategy that you can integrate into your business plan. The Intellectual Property Institute of Canada (IPIC) is the representative body for patent and trademark agents and lawyers who deal with intellectual property issues and offers the service of finding an intellectual property professional on its website. To find a national intellectual property office in your target market, visit the Directory of Intellectual Property Offices. There are 125 member countries of the Madrid Protocol, all of which agree to accept trademark applications based on an existing trademark registration in a member country. By developing an intellectual property strategy linked to your company's business strategy and export business plan, you'll be better able to understand how intellectual property can contribute to achieving your business objectives. When a country is not a member of the Madrid System, the trademark application must be filed directly in that country.
If you have an American registration, you are protected in the United States, and if you don't have one and you do business in the United States, you must hire an attorney to protect your trademark rights.
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