Innovation Minister Kim Carr said the seminars, to be conducted in all Australian states and territories between now and the end of the month, were a tool for small businesses unsure of how to protect their intellectual property when venturing overseas.
The ‘IP Passport’ seminars explain how Australian businesses can better protect their valuable IP, including patents, trade marks and designs, before they export their goods and services.
“IP protection overseas can be a minefield for businesses, particularly in Asia” Senator Carr said. “I encourage small businesses to familiarise themselves with the IP laws in export markets so they can effectively manage their IP assets when dealing with overseas business partners.”
Recent research estimates there are over 40 000 exporting businesses, with around 15 per cent of all small to medium enterprises (SMEs) now actively engaged in exporting.
Many SMEs are also moving beyond traditional exporting and importing and are globally engaged through licensing, franchising, strategic alliances and global supply chain. IP can be an integral bargaining chip in negotiating deals to access new markets overseas.
“Intellectual property is something that a business needs to get right from the start if they want to be successful,” IP Australia director general Phillip Noonan said.
“If you make an IP mistake when you first commence exporting, it can be virtually impossible to recover.”
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