SAP Protects its Valuable Innovations

Alexandra Koseva/ Intellectual Property Department at SAP Labs BulgariaNovember 29, 2012

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SAP Global IP Locations

Palo Alto Newtown Square

Walldorf

Tel Aviv

Bangalore

Shanghai

SofiaVancouver

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What is Intellectual Property?

Creations of the mind

Legal right to control the use of intangible ideas and expressions.

Owner has exclusive rights to the creative work

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Types of Intellectual Property (IP)

Patents, What and Why?

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Invention, What is it?

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A Patent is . . .

A legal document

Granted by a government – EPO, USPTO, etc.

Gives the owner the right to prevent others from

making, using, selling or licensing, offering for sale or license, or importing the claimed invention without

authorization.

Owner must disclose the details of the invention.

Intent is to promote progress by encouraging innovation and public disclosure of advances

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Patent valid where?

A Patent is valid only in the country where it

was granted.

Different patent for EU, U.S., Germany,

Japan, India, China, etc.

Patent Examination Process in US

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Patent Examination Process in US

Costly! Application preparation ($10K-20K or more) Prosecution before the Patent Office (varies) Patent Office Fees (~$3K + through grant)

Examples of PTO fees Over $1200.00 (Filing, Examination, Search) Over $1700.00 (Issue Fee)

Small entity fee deduction (50% off)

Non-profit, charitable, or small (<500 employees)

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Patent Examination Process

LONG!

3 Year Process, often longer

• First substantive “action” 1-2 years from filing

The Examiner

Human process

Could be 30 year veteran or fresh college graduate

Essentially a haggling over whether the CLAIMS are patentable

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Patent Practice—Basic Timeline

Conception (date of

invention)

Reduction to Practice

Filing

Restriction

Fist Office Action

Final Office Action

Notice of Allowance

After Allowance

Divisional

Elected Invention

Grant

Issued Patent

Abandonment

Pre-filing Pre-grant , post filing, or ProsecutionPost-Grant or

After Allowance

Thank You!

Contact information:

Alexandra K. KosevaIntellectual Property Specialistalexandra.koseva@sap.com