Protecting your IP when Going Global

Open Forum
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I know many CFIN members have aspirations of scaling into global markets to get the most out of their IP, especially the tech and science based companies that are innovating in global whitespaces.

So, today I'm sharing info that came CFIN's way from the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) who have identified that some Canadian technology driven startups may be exposing their IP to risks when they participate in foreign pitch competitions.

Here's a link to their reccos on how to share enough to find partners and investment but not so much that your product can be duplicated by a bad actor.

While we're on the subject: let us know in the comments below if you are expanding your business outside of Canada. CFIN would love to know specifics like

  1. how you know you're ready to take on the expense of international business development
  2. whether you're going global because doing business in Canada is too hard or whether you're doing so because you've reached full market penetration here
  3. How you'll deal with fulfillment if you succeed in gettomg international buyers
  4. Or, anything else you want to share about your export plans

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I have gone global because I have experience working abroad and have made contacts / friendships while doing so. In the course of working abroad, I have acquired business partners. They have needs which my company has been able to fill to succeed.

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Also, when talking about exports, I'd be remiss not to remind all of you that CFIN's Going Global Report written by @Steve Edgerton is an excellent resource to read when writing an export strategy.