IP protection key to export success: Carr

THE Federal Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research has launched a national seminar series aimed at reducing risks faced by small businesses in trying to protect their intellectual property when exporting.

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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Truss talks tough on China’s IP record

JUST as Australian Trade Minister Warren Truss stepped into a growing fight between the US and China over intellectual property, Austrade has announced a series of seminars for Australian companies on protecting IP rights in China.

Mr Truss said last week that Australia was considering joining the US in lodging complaints against China with the World Trade Organisation (WTO) over IP infringements.

Mr Truss will travel to China this week to co-chair a meeting of the Economic Cooperation Dialogue, and to meet with China’s Commerce Minister.

Austrade said last week that it had teamed with IP Australia to host ‘View in 2007: Intellectual Property and new markets in China’, a seminar series that will provide exporters with updated perspectives on IP from experts direct from the coalface in China.

The day-long seminars will be held through May at various locations around the country, including Canberra, Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth.

Speakers will include Mr Truss, as well as Australia’s senior Trade Commissioner to China Peter Osborne, Rouse and Co International manager Anna Booy, and Day Consultants founder Mark Day.

Exporters will also be able to network with speakers and get their questions answered by representatives from Austrade, IP Australia, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Attorney General's Department as well as Australian exporters with current in-market experience.

Meanwhile, one of the nation’s most powerful business lobbies, the Australian Industry Group has backed Mr Truss statement on joining the US in complaining about China to the WTO.

“A lack of enforcement arrangements against IP infringement in China is a critical issue faced by Australian companies in their dealings in China,” Australian Industry Group chief executive Heather Ridout said.

“As a member of the multilateral trading structure, China must meet its WTO commitments on IP and this issue, along with China's undervalued currency, has been central to all the discussions with China over recent years.”

“(The Australian Industry) Group has also suggested to the Australian Government that a consultative mechanism be established now so that IP infringement matters can also be addressed at senior administrative government levels in the context of the Australia-China FTA negotiations,” she said.


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