PATENTS AND OTHER IP: FROM BASICS TO STRATEGY David Jacobs, Esq. Gesmer Updegrove LLP 40 Broad...
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Transcript of PATENTS AND OTHER IP: FROM BASICS TO STRATEGY David Jacobs, Esq. Gesmer Updegrove LLP 40 Broad...
PATENTS AND OTHER IP:PATENTS AND OTHER IP:FROM BASICS TO STRATEGYFROM BASICS TO STRATEGY
David Jacobs, Esq.Gesmer Updegrove LLP
40 Broad StreetBoston, MA 02109
WHY PROTECT IP?WHY PROTECT IP?
• MAXIMIZE RETURN ON R&D• GENERATE REVENUE• COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE• STIMULATE INVESTMENT• M&A CURRENCY• DEFENSIVE TOOL
TRADE SECRETSTRADE SECRETS
ANY FORMULA, PATTERN, DEVICE, OR COMPILATION OF INFORMATION WHICH IS USED TO ONE’S ADVANTAGE OVER COMPETITORS WHO DO NOT KNOW OR USE IT.
TRADE SECRETSTRADE SECRETS
NEED:
• AN INTERNAL PROTECTION PROGRAM
• EMPLOYEE AND CONTRACTORS SIGN NDA
• ACTUAL PROCEDURES TO MAINTAIN CONFIDENTIALITY
TRADE SECRETSTRADE SECRETS
TO PROFIT FROM:• USE BUT DON’T DISCLOSE
–RISK OF “REVERSE ENGINEERING”
OR
• LICENSE TO THIRD PARTIES• THEY PROMISE NOT TO DISCLOSE FURTHER • PAY YOU MONEY OR GIVE OTHER BENEFITS
IN RETURN
COPYRIGHTCOPYRIGHT
• PROTECTS THE “EXPRESSION” OF THE IDEA, NOT THE IDEA
• PROTECTS AGAINST COPYING• COMPUTER CODE
–NOT MENUS
• WRITTEN/PRINTED MATERIALS• ART (DESIGN OF ADVERTISEMENTS)• AUDIO• VIDEO
TRADEMARKSTRADEMARKS
• INDICATOR OF “SOURCE OF ORIGIN”• NAME• LOGO• SOUND (HARLEY-DAVIDSON )• COLOR (ORANGE AND GREEN
TROLLEYS)• NON-FUNCTIONAL DESIGN
ELEMENTS
TRADEMARKSTRADEMARKS
• MUST BE “CLEARED”
• CAN BE REGISTERED
• “TM” VS. “R”
• REGISTRATION IS NOT REQUIRED
• ENFORCEMENT: BY OWNER• NO “TRADEMARK POLICE”
PATENTSPATENTS
RIGHT TO EXCLUDE OTHERSFROM:
• MAKING, USING, OR SELLING
• THE INVENTION DEFINED BY THE PATENT CLAIMS
PATENTSPATENTS
• PROTECT SOFTWARE
• PROTECT "BUSINESS METHODS"
• WHERE ARE WE NOW - POST-AMAZON/EBAY?
PATENTSPATENTS
• PRE-FILING DISCLOSURE MAY NEGATE RIGHTS– Talks/Colloquia
• U.S.: ONE-YEAR "CLOCK“• OVERSEAS: ABSOLUTE NOVELTY• PUBLICATION• "ON SALE"
• “EXPERIMENTAL USE”
PATENTSPATENTS
PURPOSES:
DEFENSIVE: PREVENT OTHERS FROM USING/DOMINATING
• KEEP ON THE SHELF?
OFFENSIVE:
• COVER EVOLVING TECHNOLOGIES• MAXIMIZE INNOVATION VALUE
PATENTS PATENTS
BENEFITS:
• PROTECT AGAINST INFRINGERS EVEN IF INDEPENDENT INVENTION
• PROMOTES FINANCING
• CLEAR IDENTIFICATION OF PROPERTY TO BE LICENSED
• ENHANCE OTHER IP
• DEFENSIVE CROSS-LICENSING
• BRACKETING - MULTIPLE FEATURES
PATENTSPATENTS
BURDENS:
• DISCLOSURE OF CORE IDEAS
• SIGNIFICANT INPUT FROM KEY PERSONNEL
• FINANCIAL EXPENDITURE• ENFORCEMENT BURDEN
PATENTSPATENTS
PLANNING/EVALUATING:
• DEFINE A PURPOSE
• LINKAGE WITH STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES
• PROBABLE SCOPE OF PROTECTION
• POTENTIAL FOR ENFORCEABILITY
• ENFORCEMENT BURDEN (COST, DISCLOSURE)
• ALTERNATIVE PROTECTION
PATENTSPATENTS
ACTION ITEMS:
• INVENTORY INTELLECTUAL ASSETS
• COUNSEL CONFER WITH KEY PERSONNEL
• IDENTIFY IP RISKS POSED BY OTHERS
• IP ASSETS PROTECTABLE BY PATENT
• COORDINATE PATENT WITH OTHER IP
• PATENT FILINGS/LICENSING