South-East Asia

Every business starts with an idea. That idea is an essential intellectual property asset that can drive business development, economic prosperity and human progress. While the opportunities are enormous, each business, regardless of its size, is focused on a core product or service that differentiates itself from other enterprises and competitors. Protecting an idea is protecting a business and the role that intellectual property rights’ (IPR) ownership plays cannot be underestimated in securing the future of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

There are many benefits to living in an increasingly globalised and digitised world, such as greater connectivity, increased global trade and better information sharing. However, implicit in these benefits is a much greater potential for intellectual property rights (IPR) infringement. It is more important than ever that businesses, particularly small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), proactively take the necessary actions to mitigate this risk.

Intellectual Property Right (IPR) enforcement requires the cooperation and close collaboration of multiple stakeholders to effectively combat IPR infringements in the physical and online environment. Adopting this multi-stakeholder approach that includes various actors in the IPR enforcement ecosystem, IP Key South-East Asia presented the IPR Enforcement Series 2021.

Why is IP protection important for EU SMEs?

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are the backbone of the EU economy. They represent 99 % of all businesses in the EU, account for more than half of Europe’s gross domestic product (GDP) and employ about 100 million people[1]. The positive association between economic performance and ownership of intellectual property rights (IPRs) is particularly strong for SMEs.

In our beauty-obsessed world, how much is too much when it comes to getting the latest look? With viral trends spreading faster than ever thanks to social media, keeping up with the latest skin routine can prove an expensive game. Influencers, video tutorials, you name it, the promotion of cosmetics and personal care products has never been easier. This phenomenon is matched only by the consumption of these same products, which has never been higher.