There are several steps companies can take to protect their IP in an offshore development setting: Conduct rigorous due diligence on the vendor or partner, including reviewing previous work and checking references.Establish clear contractual agreements that define ownership of IP, confidentiality, and nondisclosure.Conduct regular audits and secure data with encryption and authentication mechanisms.Provide clear guidelines and training on IP protection to mitigate the risk of accidental disclosure or loss.Consider registering patents, trademarks, and copyrights in the countries where work will be done to establish legal protections.