WIPO and ITC Publish Guide on Intellectual Property for Exporters

Geneva, May 5, 2004
Press Releases PR/2004/382

Exporters around the world can now benefit from a new practical guide on intellectual property for exporters published this month by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and the International Trade Centre. "Secrets of Intellectual Property: a Guide for Small and Medium-sized Exporters" provides practical guidance on how to deal with some of the most common intellectual property (IP) issues encountered by exporters. This user-friendly guide is written in the form of questions and answers, and contains a large number of references for further reading. It provides an international business perspective on a wide range of key intellectual property issues for exporters.

The importance of intellectual property rights to exporters often only becomes apparent when they are faced with problems or legal disputes. Such problems usually arise because of a lack of knowledge of the local rules, regulations and laws governing intellectual property. The guide is designed to raise awareness among exporters about steps that need to be taken by them to ensure that their products comply with the intellectual property laws of overseas markets and that these products do not infringe the intellectual property rights of others.

Failure to consider intellectual property rules and regulations in overseas markets when conducting market research analyses, exposes exporters to unnecessary costs and risks which may not only damage the company's entire export strategy but may also threaten its long-term survival.

The guide further outlines steps that should be taken by exporters to adequately protect their own intellectual property assets in target markets in a timely and cost-effective manner. Such measures will enhance their competitive advantage in those markets. By adequately protecting its intellectual property, an export company can defend itself against theft and other intellectual property abuses and can also secure additional revenue streams by exporting their intellectual property without the accompanying product, for example, through licensing agreements.. This is the case when a company licenses its protected IP rights, authorizing other companies to manufacture or sell its products, for example, in foreign markets. Such arrangements allow companies to earn additional profit while retaining ownership over their inventions, innovative designs, creative works or trademarks.

The Guide explains basic concepts and principles regarding the protection of patents, trademarks, industrial designs, copyright and related rights, trade secrets and geographical indications in domestic and foreign markets. It covers questions relevant to ownership of rights, contracting, licensing and technology transfer and highlights the importance of IP issues when drawing up business, marketing and export plans. It looks at links between IP and quality regulations and standards, packaging and labeling and electronic commerce and considers the main approaches to the valuation of IP rights. It also examines how businesses may go about protecting and enforcing their intellectual property in foreign countries.

• "Secrets of Intellectual Property: a Guide for Small and Medium-sized Exporters" .

For more information on IP for SMEs visit https://www.wipo.int/sme and subscribe to the free monthly electronic newsletter of the SMEs Division or contact the Media Relations and Public Affairs Section at WIPO on +41 22 338 8161 or 338 95 47; e-mail:  publicinf.mail@wipo.int.