Welsh food and drink leaders are getting expert advice on protecting their products in the Middle East and Qatar.

Local businesses have attended the Export Club Breakfast Seminar at Cardiff Airport organised by BIC Innovation, which supports innovation across Wales’s food and drink industry.

During the event a presentation was given by leading intellectual property firm Wynne-Jones IP on how to protect products and brands, specifically in the Middle East. This coincides with the announcement that flights from the Welsh airport to Qatar will be launched on 1 May 2018.

Senior trainee patent attorney Matthew Veale and trainee trade mark attorney Rosie Le Breton offered top tips to event attendees on securing patents, trade marks and design rights in these overseas markets.

Here we outline their expert advice which will offer vital support to businesses looking to trade overseas.

Territorial IP rights

Many IP rights are strictly territorial, protecting the product only where it is registered. For example, a UK granted patent cannot stop use of that invention by another party in Saudi Arabia, if it is not granted there also.

International procedures exist to allow protection in more than one country via a single application, such as The Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) International Patent System, The Madrid International Trademark System, The Hague International Design System; or, for specific regions such as the Gulf Cooperation Council Patent Route. While this is a more cost-effective way of obtaining protection, not all countries can be chosen when filing through these systems, and in some countries filing a national application is your only option.

Country-specific guidelines

Certain countries such as Qatar and the Middle East have specific guidelines when filing an application, which must be followed in line with cultural or religious sensitivities.

These are an important factor to consider as some things will be banned on the basis that they are contrary to the accepted principles of morality in those countries.

For example; in certain countries including Saudi Arabia, Oman, Libya, and Yemen the registration of a trade mark covering alcohol and pork meat is banned. Also a trade mark which may seem relatively innocent by UK standards, such as ‘ALLURE’ could be refused in the Middle East for being too provocative.

Any businesses considering filing an application in any of these countries should thoroughly research those markets and contact an IP expert.

Always protect your rights

Businesses considering trading overseas should always ensure their IP rights are fully protected before progressing.

Entering into negotiations with businesses in an overseas market without adequate IP protection could leave the product particularly susceptible to infringement and IP theft.

If in doubt, contact an IP expert for advice, Wynne Jones’s Patent attorneys are on hand to offer specialist support to food and drink businesses seeking advice on IP in foreign markets.

Deadlines and planning

When it comes to protecting your IP rights overseas, planning ahead and time management is essential.

Certain countries can have specific requirements such as; having agents based in the jurisdiction, language translations and strict notarisation/legalisation conditions, which can lead to delays.

The process from an application being filed right through to IP rights being granted can take many months or years due to the numerous checks this must undergo, so planning ahead and managing your time effectively is crucial.

Wynne-Jones IP is a UK firm of intellectual property specialists, with offices in Cardiff, London, Cheltenham and Telford. Trading for over fifty years, the firm advises businesses and inventors in a wide range of sectors worldwide on all aspects of IP rights, strategy and renewals.

For more information on Wynne Jones IP visit www.wynne-jones.com.