Intellectual Property
What you should know

IP is your company’s most valuable — and most vulnerable — asset. If left unprotected, it can be copied, stolen, or weaponized by competitors.

Why It Matters

High-profile breaches show the scale of impact:

  • Apple v. Samsung – Over $1B in damages (2012)

  • Adidas v. Payless – $305M verdict (2008)

  • Counterfeits – $500B in global trade losses annually

Over 80% of S&P 500 value is intangible. Losing IP is losing enterprise value.

Core Requirements

Across jurisdictions, IP regulations converge around four pillars:

Patents – Inventions

Trademarks – Brands

Copyrights – Content

Trade Secrets – Know-how

Compliance

Strategic Implications

  • First-to-file wins in most jurisdictions (e.g., China)

  • Cross-border enforcement is rising

  • AI, NFTs, and open-source introduce complex IP risks

Your Leadership Checklist

Register patents and trademarks in all key markets

Classify and secure trade secrets

Monitor infringement with global IP watch tools

Include IP terms in all contracts and M&A due diligence

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Want the full picture?

Download our executive guide to global IP law, enforcement trends, and 2024 updates.

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