Three people sit at a table with charts, papers, and a laptop in a colorful office. A world map, globe, and cityscape are visible in the background.

International IP Protection for Startups: What to Protect and Where

Startups cannot protect every trademark, patent, design, and trade secret everywhere at once. The smarter approach is to identify what the business cannot afford to lose, focus on the countries that matter most, and build an international IP strategy around revenue, manufacturing, expansion plans, and a realistic budget.

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Five Practical Steps Foreign Brands Should Take to Prepare for China's New Trademark Law

China adopted a revised Trademark Law on June 26, 2026. The new law will take effect on January 1, 2027. Much of the commentary surrounding the revised law has focused on the statutory changes themselves. Foreign companies, however, should focus on what they need to do differently before the law takes effect. The fundamentals remain

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Trademark Squatters Are Coming for Your Supply Chain in Swarms Now

Trademark Squatters Are Coming for Your Supply Chain in Swarms Now For years, trademark squatters followed the same general script. They would identify a foreign brand that had not yet registered its trademark in China, the United States, or another key market. Then they would file first and wait. Eventually, the legitimate brand owner would

A graphic with interconnected question marks and circles containing the letters "IP" and "P" on a dark blue background, suggesting questions or uncertainty about intellectual property.

A Global IP Protection Strategy FAQ

Global IP Protection Strategy FAQ My blog post yesterday, Global IP Protection: Why You Need a Strategy, Not Just an Application generated a lot of questions. In an attempt to answer those we received (and those we anticipate receiving), I give you the below FAQs. If you are manufacturing abroad, expanding internationally, or selling through

Illustration of a person with a telescope standing on a globe next to an upward arrow, a trademark symbol, and the text "You need a global IP strategy.

Global IP Protection: Why You Need a Strategy, Not Just an Application

Global IP Protection Strategy When brands think about protecting their intellectual property abroad, they often start with the most visible tasks: filing a trademark application, registering a patent, or sending a takedown notice to deal with a specific infringement. Those steps matter. On their own, though, they are tactical steps. They can be necessary, but

Illustration with the text "How to Protect the Value of your IP Portfolio," showing a shield, checkmark, briefcase, documents, and trademark and copyright symbols—key steps for monetizing your IP effectively.

Ten IP Monetization Mistakes That Quietly Destroy Global Trademark Portfolio Value

Ten IP Monetization Mistakes That Quietly Destroy Global Trademark Portfolio Value IP deals rarely fail because someone forgot to file a trademark. They fail because of small operational gaps that compound over time. The ten mistakes below directly erode valuation, licensing leverage, and your ability to survive diligence. Why IP Monetization Fails In Practice Deals

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