IP hub: Grow your business - Doing business abroad

Exporting to international markets can be an exciting way to grow your business. Keep in mind that IP protection is jurisdictional and you will need to protect your products and services in the countries you wish to do business in.

Exporting your IP – general information

• Canada Business Network – Protecting your IP in export markets
• Canada Business Network – Exporting
• Canadian Trade Commissioner Service – Step-by-Step Guide to Exporting
  The Step-by-Step Guide to Exporting will help you get your business export-ready and well positioned for commercial success abroad.
• Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO) – Import/export
• CIPO – IP for Exporting Businesses
• Government of Canada – International trade and investment

China

• Patents – National Intellectual Property Administration
• Trademarks – Trademark Office of the State Administration for Industry and Commerce

Europe

• European Intellectual Property Office
• European Patent Office

India

• Office of the Controller General of Patents, Designs & Trade Marks

United States

• United States Patent and Trademark Office

World

• World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)
• WIPO – Country Profiles
  These profiles provide quick access to the information for each country in multiple WIPO databases.

Below are guides and resources around the world about protecting your IP in specific countries or regions. Take a look!

Europe

• Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO) – Doing Business Abroad: Protecting your IP in the European Union – text / PDF (3.3 MB, 12 pages)
• European Patent Office – How to get a European patent
• European Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) – Route to registration (trademarks)
• EUIPO – Route to registration (designs)
• IPR Helpdesk – Your Guide to IP in Europe (PDF)
• IPR Helpdesk – European patent chart (PDF)

United States

• CIPO – Doing Business Abroad: Protecting your IP in the United States – text / PDF (2.6 MB, 12 pages)
• United Kingdom Intellectual Property Office (UKIPO) – IP Rights in the USA (PDF)

China

• CIPO – Doing Business Abroad: Protecting your IP in China – text / PDF (2.2 MB, 12 pages)
• IP Australia – IP protection in China

India

• CIPO – Doing Business Abroad: Protecting your IP in India – text / PDF (4.09 MB, 12 pages)
• UKIPO – IP rights in India (PDF)

You can get help and advice on protecting your IP abroad from the Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO) and the organizations below.

Canadian Intellectual Property Office

• Client Service Centre
• IP advisors

IP agents

• College of Patent Agents and Trademark Agents
• Intellectual Property Institute of Canada

Other experts – by countries

China

• Canada China Business Council

India

• Canada-India Business Council
• Indo-Canadian Chamber of Commerce

World

• World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) – IP Services
  WIPO offers a range of global services for protecting IP across borders and for resolving IP disputes outside the courts.

Other experts – general

• Global Affairs Canada (GAC)
  GAC manages Canada's diplomatic relations, provides consular services to Canadians, promotes the country's international trade and leads Canada's international development and humanitarian assistance.
• Export Development Canada (EDC)
  EDC is Canada's export credit agency. Its job is to support and develop Canada's export trade by helping Canadian companies respond to international business opportunities.
• Trade Commissioner Service (TCS)
  The TCS helps companies navigate international markets. Canadian trade commissioners are located in more than 160 cities worldwide and can provide you with key business insights and access to an unbeatable network of international contacts.
• Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) – International growth advisory services
  The BDC's International Growth Program offers a complete solution to help ensure your expansion in the United States or foreign markets.