Recently we caught up with IPO’s Intellectual Property Attachés to find out more about their work overseas and the typical IP issues they encounter.
This global network of IP experts helps UK businesses to trade in international markets and also works with other governments and international organisations to support UK objectives overseas.
Our IP Attaché team is based all over the world, covering regions including Europe, Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), China, the Americas, India, and the World Trade Organisation and World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) in Geneva, Switzerland. They are based in UK Embassies, Missions or High Commissions, and work alongside our local Foreign and Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO) and Department for Business and Trade (DBT) colleagues.
Read more about our IP Attachés here [link]: IPO Overseas articles
Hear interviews with our IP Attachés here [link]: IPO Overseas YouTube Playlist
What did we discover about our IP Attaché network members and their areas?
From assisting in trade agreements to helping businesses get the recognition they deserve for their brands overseas, our IP Attachés work flexibly to ensure the best opportunities for UK businesses.
The work of our attachés differs depending on the IP landscape of each area. While some like Sam (China), Pragya (India), or Christabel (South East Asia), have a strong focus on business support and trade, Lizzie and Valeriano (our attaché’s to WIPO), Adin, (Europe) and Desmond (South East Asia) have a primary function to support and promote UK values in the international intellectual property ecosystem.
All of our IP Attachés can be characterised though, by their passion and dedication to IP, and helping UK businesses excel in international markets.
How can our IP Attaché team help you trade overseas?
As our ‘boots on the ground’ in priority markets, our attachés offer an excellent point of contact for businesses wishing to find out more about the opportunities and issues that they need to consider when thinking of trading overseas.
Some areas our team might be able to help with are fairly consistent, around signposting to advise on registering and protecting IP in overseas markets. In some of these areas, businesses may be exposed to risks of infringement, and our IP experts can help with enforcing the protection of IP rights here. Angelica, (Latin America and the Caribbean) for example, works closely with public attorneys in Brazil to protect and enforce IP rights in one of the world’s largest economies.
In North America, a friendly market for UK businesses, the greater issue that traders may face when wishing to operate here is the scale of competition between likeminded domestic and international firms. Kayleigh, our IP Attaché to North America can help here, with her in-depth knowledge of the US and Canadian IP landscapes and her excellent network of stakeholders.
Top tips from our global IP experts
Our IP Attachés always advise businesses looking to operate overseas to do their market research thoroughly, seek legal advice where appropriate, and not hesitate to reach out for more information!
What resources are available?
Alongside our excellent IP Attaché network, the IPO also has a range of free online resources for businesses looking to trade overseas.
Our International IP Service contains a host of information around protecting IP abroad, including specific country guides for 25 different markets!
Check out our International IP Service here.
The IPO Overseas Newsletter contains more information on the characteristics of each region we’re working in. Follow us here.
You can hear more the IP Attachés talk about their IPO overseas work on Youtube.
Get in touch
Please reach out to our IP Attachés if you’ve got any IP questions about doing business in a specific market.
You can also contact the UK Intellectual Property Office’s Business Support Team at askinternational@ipo.gov.uk.
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