Paul Ward is a strategic consultant specializing in global CRM (Customer Relationship Management), and writes regular columns on branding, marketing and strategy. Recent articles include new research frameworks on global marketing as well as financial strategies for globalizing companies. He’s currently developing business and serving clients in Russia, China, France, the UK and Malaysia, as well as in the United States and Mexico.

China is well entrenched in the global marketplace, but with Chinese piracy reported at 90 percent, it's the third least friendly country for protecting intellectual property (IP). Secure patents--dot...