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The next newsletter will cover the following topics:

IP as a Way Out of the Role as an Outsourcing Centre

Traditionally, many emerging economies fuel their economic growth by serving as an outsourcing centre for more developed countries. While this can be very lucrative, it also creates dependencies and risks. A current example is the effect of AI on Indias IT sector. Therefore, calls are growing louder that India should change its focus towards creating their own AI-based platforms and offerings and protect them thoroughly with IP as an alternative to the current economic model. This means that IP is increasingly seen as a key tool to get more control over one’s own economic growth perspective, mitigating economic risks on a national level.

Celebrities’ Growing Brand Empires

Celebrities are increasingly active in protecting their own brand with trademarks. In many cases, this protection aims to prevent the sales of knock-off merchandize and other collectibles sold to fans. The current story of Cathay Home Inc, a home textiles manufacturer, abandoning its application for the “Swift Home” trademark due to potential similarities with a trademark owned by celebrity Taylor Swift shows that the influence of celebrity trademarks now also affects other sectors.

Platform Patents in Biotech: The Strategic Value of Fundamental mRNA patents

While the vaccination campaigns against COVID-19 have left the collective memory of the world, the battle over the patented technologies continues. A current case between BioNTech and Moderna shows why those patents are so economically important. The key is that they are not protecting a technology that is only relevant for a single vaccine. They are covering the possibility to produce effective vaccines with smaller doses. This reflects a growing trend in biotech, where increasingly platforms are protected rather than just single formulations.

Economic Development Through International Technology Transfer in the Philippines

Research and Development activites at universities and public research centers play a big role in the economic success of all nations. But especially in still developing economies, the exploitation of the creative ideas and inventions made by researchers is vital to further the economy by fostering the creation of new tech startups and international technology transfer. Therefore, countries such as the Philippines are supporting innovators via “Innovation and Technology Support Offices” to increase the use of IP which is necessary for commercialization. Those local efforts bear fruits as the number of patent applications is on the rise, especially from public research.

Resource Hub: The Email Course Business Development

This free email course helps IP experts build visibility, attract better-fit clients, and grow strategically. It helps IP experts shift from reactive outreach to structured business development. You’ll learn how to position your expertise, build trust through client-focused communication, and develop a reliable system to grow your practice step by step.

The difference between influence and overreach

IP professionals often hesitate to offer broader strategic perspective, worrying it might be seen as exceeding their mandate. However, clients increasingly value guidance that goes beyond technically correct answers to include implications, trade-offs, and consequences. The article explains that influence means strengthening a client’s decision-making by framing options and giving orientation, whereas overreach happens when advice prescribes decisions without sufficient understanding of the context or replaces the client’s role. Small shifts in tone or certainty can erode trust. Navigating this balance deliberately enables IP experts to build deeper credibility and expand their advisory role.

Why business models and IP strategy must be designed together

The article argues that intellectual property strategy and business model design should be developed concurrently rather than in isolation. Treating IP as a checkbox after business model definition leads to missed opportunities for value capture, competitive advantage, and monetisation. Instead, integrating IP insights early helps shape offerings, pricing, partnerships, and competitive positioning. This co-design ensures that IP assets support the chosen business model and that strategic choices — such as platform vs. product focus — are backed by appropriate IP protection. The approach enables organisations to turn intellectual property into strategic leverage, aligning innovation incentives with sustainable commercial outcomes.

Litigation and Protection of Trade Secrets

This podcast episode provides a structured overview of trade secret litigation and its strategic importance for protecting confidential business information. Unlike patents or trademarks, trade secrets derive their value and legal enforceability from active management rather than registration. The discussion explains why trade secrets are often among a company’s most valuable IP assets and outlines the legal mechanisms available when theft, misappropriation, or unauthorised disclosure occurs. It covers the three-part legal test for defining a trade secret, enforcement pathways from internal measures to court proceedings, and the necessity of legally compliant documentation.

Multi Layer IP in Toys and Entertainment: Lessons from Mattel and Barbie

Mattel transformed Barbie from a physical toy into a multimedia brand by layering intellectual property — patents, design rights, trademarks, and copyright — across formats. This multi-layered IP strategy protects identity, enables licensing, and supports narrative expansion across products, media, and digital experiences, illustrating how coherent IP architecture drives long-term brand ecosystems.

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