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show the business that it is
fundamentally engaged with
what the company does.
This more engaged approach
means members of the legal
team are better placed to
truly advise above and beyond
legal issues on business and
strategy and are more likely
to be accepted as part of that
discussion.
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WHAT’S YOUR
IP STRATEGY?
Are companies doing
enough to protect and
advance their IP rights?
One IP expert believes that
businesses need to ecome
more involved in lobbying
to protect their long-term IP
interests, in the same way as
with other regulatory issues.
What can companies do?
Map IP issues with broader
business priorities and
corporate engagement
plans, then identify the
key issues to focus on,
and the best bodies to
approach.
Approach their own
governments for
guidance in finding
the best channels to
convey any concerns
to the parties involved in
pertinent trade agreements.
Interact with the European
Commission to publicise IP
issues of concern as EU laws
are being formulated.
Be heedful of China’s
IP policies. The PRC is
adopting a tougher, but
more collaborative stance
on IP with a greater focus
on the digital space. It is
engaging in bilateral dialogue
with the EU and other
countries on IP issues,
creating a good opportunity
for companies to feed in
their views.
Make use of the growing
international network of
governmental IP attachés.
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WHAT I WISH
I’D KNOWN
New in-house lawyers are
compelled to develop a
complete set of both legal
and business skills to succeed.
We spoke to legal heads around
the globe to uncover useful tips
for the first few months of the
job.
Tips for new in-house counsel:
Build a detailed understanding
of the sector your company
operates in – beyond
purely legal and regulatory
requirements.
Get to know your company –
who’s who, how they work, the
values and culture.
Take control and reach out to
other in-house lawyers, even
beyond your sector.
Be prepared to shoulder some
risk in order to give advice