SMEs: Navigating Intellectual Property Issues - A Discussion between an Entrepreneur and His IP Counsel (with Alexandre Koiransky, Founder, FAIR, and Annick Pairault, Partner, Ab Initio, Paris, France)

Brand & New

It is well-known that intellectual property (IP) has become the life blood of most markets and companies over the last decades, with the generalization of the knowledge economy, the all- encompassing digital transformation, and the increased dependence of businesses on intangible assets. With that, IP has taken a critical place in the way businesses make decisions to develop a new product, to launch a new brand, to hire employees with niche skills, to invest in repository infrastructure, etc.

While international groups and large companies often have resources handy to address IP issues, whether in staff, time, or cash, it is much less the case for small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that are often late in factoring in these considerations. However, spin-offs, small startups and other SMEs increasingly depend on large firms or companies as suppliers or customers, for venture finance, for knowledge and product development, and for opening new markets. This actually makes it even more critical for SMEs to know how IP works, so that they can better protect and defend their rights throughout their development and to make sure they don’t base part of their development on IP assets they are not fully free to use.

Our two guests share their respective experiences on SMEs navigating IP issues in an ever-innovating world, both from the business owner side and from the IP counsel side.

Our first guest is Alexandre Koiransky, the founder of FAIR, which is a leading 12-year-old fair-trade liquor brand built on a mission to support small farmers in developing economies. Prior to this, he co-founded another startup, which he successfully sold. A true entrepreneur at heart, he is also a partner with WeLike StartUp, which is a startup incubator and a platform of resources for innovative companies.

Our second guest is Annick Pairault. Annick is an attorney specializing in IP, and partner with Paris, France based law firm Ab Initio. She advises clients across a broad spectrum of sectors and focuses on trademark law, distinctive signs, brands, copyrights, domain domains, and unfair competition. She is FAIR’s IP counsel.

Every two weeks, on Tuesday, Brand & New gives the floor to inspiring individuals, with a 360-degree vision, to help brand owners, intellectual property lawyers, and marketing and finance professionals (and beyond!) stay curious and agile in an ever-evolving business environment.
Brand & New is a production of the International Trademark Association
Hosted by Audrey Dauvet
Contribution of M. Halle & S. Lagedamond - Music by JD Beats
FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT INTA.ORG
To go further:

About Alexandre Koiransky (link to https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexandre-koiransky-756b913/)

About Annick Pairault (link to http://www.abinitio.eu/ab_initiobase_equipe_e/)

Also of interest:

- Entrepreneur: Protecting your IP as a Small Business (link to https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/355187)
- INTA: For SMEs (link to https://www.inta.org/resources/for-smes/)
- INTA: Learn the Language: Introduction to Trademarks (link to https://www.inta.org/fact-sheets/learn-the-language/) and Trademark Symbols (link to https://www.inta.org/fact-sheets/trademark-symbols/)
- INTA: Pro Bono Resources (link to https://www.inta.org/resources/pro-bono-clearinghouse/)