British attaché to help boost IP exploitation in Brazil

Last week Sheila Alves began work as the new IP attaché for Brazil. Based in the British Embassy in Brasilia, Sheila will be working with representatives from UKTI and the Foreign and Commonwealth office.  According to the media release which accompanied this news, this position is central to the UK government’s plans to enhance trade relations and to support IP and innovation-led businesses abroad.  Sheila Alves is quoted as saying:

“Brazil is the fifth largest country in the world with one of the most rapidly developing economies so the potential market for British goods and services is enormous. 

My experience at Apex-Brasil, the Brazilian trade and investment promotion agency has provided me the opportunity to understand the difficulties faced by foreign investors trying to navigate the IP framework here. This is why I am really looking forward to making a positive impact for UK businesses which are already operating in, or looking to access the Brazilian market”.

With the football World Cup 2014 and the 2016 Summer Olympics both heading for Brazil, opportunities for British businesses to license their IP in Brazil will be considerable. It will be good to see what sort of difference, if any, it makes to have a person performing a role such as Sheila's in this context.