Latin America Ipr Sme Helpdesk

EU SMEs have to bear in mind that ICT products are innovationintensive and often require the combination of different technologies to operate. Just think of the mobile sector: smartphones allow you to make calls, take photos, access the Internet, listen to music or make contactless payments. Those activities often involve the implementation of different technologies and creative works in the same product. All these components of the creation will, most likely, require different Intellectual Property Rights to ensure a full and adequate protection of your product.

Although usually unnoticed, Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) are all around us. From the handy design of a bottle of water or a lollipop, to the drying technology of sports clothing or the databases we use at work. Many of these products and services come from SMEs, whose daily work often results in creative works, inventions and distinctive symbols capable of generating profits for their creators or inventors. For this reason, SMEs should regard IPRs as a key tool to compete. The Intellectual Property (IP) system arises as an opportunity to turn those innovative ideas, creative designs and other intangible assets into valuable business assets, which can be transferred, licensed or used as collateral to obtain financing, as we will see thorough this guide.

With the rise and development of the Internet, using online channels has become a widespread option chosen by companies for marketing business and products. Key benefits of using this channel are the ability to reach and measure potential customers on a global level, low operating costs and quick access to different markets, among others. Unsurprisingly, European SMEs seeking to expand their businesses towards the Latin American region consider the Internet as a preferential channel to do so. With the Internet being such an easy entrance for new products and services, it can also be used by forgers from all over the world as an instrument to sell counterfeit goods or commit any kind of Intellectual Property (IP) frauds. Within this context, protecting your Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) online has become almost a necessity.