Protection of Innovative Designs

A Belgian dental start-up specialising in the invention and development of eco-friendly dental products and instruments for public and professional dental applications decided to internationalise their business. Acknowledging the fact that about 90% of EU disposable single-use Class-I dental consumables are imported from China and that China is one of the three largest dental markets in the world, the SME has prioritised the China market in its business strategy. As an innovative company, IP is their most important asset. From the SME’s experience, without proper IP-protection in China, there would be no business opportunities in China (and in Europe). Therefore, IP protection in China was a key element in the SME’s business strategy.