The UK Intellectual Property Office released a series of guides setting out the most important factors to consider when expanding your intellectual property rights internationally.
These guides share pointers about protecting and exploiting your intellectual property rights (including copyright, trademarks, designs and patents) in Turkey, Brazil, China, India, South Korea, South Africa, USA and Vietnam.
UK and EU businesses should be aware that each of these jurisdictions may be suitable for export of their products. Manufacturing products may be easier and/or cheaper, or there may be a great demand for your products in these territories.
Consequently, licensing your intellectual property rights to manufacturers or distributors within those territories may be beneficial to your business. Check out possible exploitation opportunities! Ensure however that you protect your IPRs first so you have a valid claim to ownership where required.
Although professional advice is advisable (by not just any lawyer but ideally an IP lawyer with entrepreneurial flair and business acumen all rolled in to one) when exploiting intellectual property rights in these jurisdictions, a business owner aware of how such rights are exploited, the common issues which may arise when operating in these territories and the likely safeguards that should be in place prior to expanding abroad will make the process more streamlined and efficient.
A full list of the UK Intellectual Property Office guides can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/ip-protection-abroad-country-guides