Before approaching retailers, distributors or manufacturers, food businesses should make sure their IP foundations are in place. From trade mark protection and confidential recipes to packaging, ownership and supplier agreements, a few early checks can help avoid costly problems as a product moves into larger markets.

If you sell food or beverages, Southeast Asia (ASEAN) is becoming a serious opportunity. Big population, rising incomes, and changing consumer tastes are driving demand for new products and new brands. But here’s the catch: as the market grows, so does the race to lock in brand names and product identities.