Legal Essentials to Exporting: Intellectual Property & Business Partner Due Diligence
Share
Businesses that are new to exporting or those looking into entering new foreign markets will benefit from attending one of three "Legal Essentials to Exporting" seminars. "Legal Essentials" are put into place to help businesses in identifying legal and compliance issues that need to be addressed prior to pursuing export opportunities.
The seminars are delivered by Foster Swift's international trade attorneys and sponsored by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) as part of the State Trade Expansion Program (STEP). Launched in 2011, STEP is a grant program designed to develop or expand export-related activities in an attempt to empower eligible small businesses.
Below is a list of live training events for 2018:
| Subject | Date/Time | Locations |
| Intellectual Property & Business Partner Due Diligence Speaker: John W. Mashni | March 8 | Foster Swift-Lansing Office 313 S. Washington Square Lansing, MI 48933 |
| Intellectual Property & Business Partner Due Diligence Speaker: John W. Mashni | April 19 | Foster Swift-Southfield Office 28411 Northwestern Hwy. Suite 500 Southfield, MI 48034 |
| Export Control Compliance Overview Training | May 17 | Foster Swift-Lansing Office 313 S. Washington Square Lansing, MI 48933 |
| Intellectual Property & Business Partner Due Diligence and Export Control Compliance Overview Training | June 21 | Networks Northwest 600 E. Front St Suite 104 Traverse City, MI 49686 |
| Intellectual Property & Business Partner Due Diligence Speaker: Zach W. Behler | September 19 | Foster Swift-Grand Rapids Office 1700 East Beltline, N.E. Suite 200 Grand Rapids, MI 49525 |
Topics covered in these training seminars include but are not limited to:
- Types of intellectual property and the importance of protecting intellectual property when exporting
- Process & time frame for protecting intellectual property in foreign countries
- Available resources to combat infringement
- Tips on avoiding litigation and conflict related to US and international trademark infringement
- Resources available to help with due diligence regarding foreign business partners
- Why due diligence is important
- How international contracts are different than domestic contracts
- 10 key issues to reduce risk in international contracts with business partners
- Overview of US export control laws and regulations including OFAC, EAR and ITAR compliance strategies
In the United States, exporting is a privilege and not a right. These programs are a practical means for business owners and employers to educate themselves on complying with the regulations, procedures and best practices relevant to their products or services.