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Cross-Border Practice
IP strategy before expansion: trademarks should go first
Trademarks, domains, and core patents are best filed one to two years before formally entering a market.
The most reactive moment in going global is discovering your core trademark already squatted in the target market. IP — trademarks especially — should be the asset that goes first.
Beyond trademarks, domains, social accounts, core patents, and copyright also need planning ahead, to avoid being held hostage or forced to rebrand after launch.
The pragmatic approach is to complete target-market trademark and domain filings one to two years before formal entry, and assess a patent strategy for core technology.