©2006 genworth financial, inc. all rights reserved. finding and managing intellectual property...
TRANSCRIPT
![Page 1: ©2006 Genworth Financial, Inc. All rights reserved. Finding and Managing Intellectual Property Assets 2006 Virginia State Bar Meeting](https://reader030.vdocuments.us/reader030/viewer/2022032517/56649c925503460f9494d305/html5/thumbnails/1.jpg)
©2006 Genworth Financial, Inc. All rights reserved.
Finding and Managing Intellectual Property Assets2006 Virginia State Bar Meeting
![Page 2: ©2006 Genworth Financial, Inc. All rights reserved. Finding and Managing Intellectual Property Assets 2006 Virginia State Bar Meeting](https://reader030.vdocuments.us/reader030/viewer/2022032517/56649c925503460f9494d305/html5/thumbnails/2.jpg)
2
Keys for a Successful Intellectual Property Program• Identify
• Protect
• Leverage
• Respect
![Page 3: ©2006 Genworth Financial, Inc. All rights reserved. Finding and Managing Intellectual Property Assets 2006 Virginia State Bar Meeting](https://reader030.vdocuments.us/reader030/viewer/2022032517/56649c925503460f9494d305/html5/thumbnails/3.jpg)
3
Four Basic Types of Intellectual Property (IP)
• Trademarks – branding – protect corporate good will
• Copyright– protect unauthorized copying of software – not function
• Trade Secrets– protect secret processes
• Patents– monopoly on functionality
![Page 4: ©2006 Genworth Financial, Inc. All rights reserved. Finding and Managing Intellectual Property Assets 2006 Virginia State Bar Meeting](https://reader030.vdocuments.us/reader030/viewer/2022032517/56649c925503460f9494d305/html5/thumbnails/4.jpg)
4
Trademarks
TM®
SM
![Page 5: ©2006 Genworth Financial, Inc. All rights reserved. Finding and Managing Intellectual Property Assets 2006 Virginia State Bar Meeting](https://reader030.vdocuments.us/reader030/viewer/2022032517/56649c925503460f9494d305/html5/thumbnails/5.jpg)
5
What is a Mark?
• Any word, name, symbol or device
• Serves as an indication of origin
• Houses goodwill
• Can be common law or federally registered
![Page 6: ©2006 Genworth Financial, Inc. All rights reserved. Finding and Managing Intellectual Property Assets 2006 Virginia State Bar Meeting](https://reader030.vdocuments.us/reader030/viewer/2022032517/56649c925503460f9494d305/html5/thumbnails/6.jpg)
6
Why are Trademarks Important?
• Brand identity is a valuable corporate asset
• Need to control trademarks both internally and by third parties
• Product naming should include trademark search to avoid infringement
![Page 7: ©2006 Genworth Financial, Inc. All rights reserved. Finding and Managing Intellectual Property Assets 2006 Virginia State Bar Meeting](https://reader030.vdocuments.us/reader030/viewer/2022032517/56649c925503460f9494d305/html5/thumbnails/7.jpg)
7
Copyrights
©
![Page 8: ©2006 Genworth Financial, Inc. All rights reserved. Finding and Managing Intellectual Property Assets 2006 Virginia State Bar Meeting](https://reader030.vdocuments.us/reader030/viewer/2022032517/56649c925503460f9494d305/html5/thumbnails/8.jpg)
8
Copyright Law
A U.S. copyright protects original works of authorship which have been fixed in a tangible medium of expression.
![Page 9: ©2006 Genworth Financial, Inc. All rights reserved. Finding and Managing Intellectual Property Assets 2006 Virginia State Bar Meeting](https://reader030.vdocuments.us/reader030/viewer/2022032517/56649c925503460f9494d305/html5/thumbnails/9.jpg)
9
A Copyright Protects
• Computer programs
• Musical works
• Dramatic works
• Pantomime and choreographic works
• Pictorial and graphic works
• Sculptural works
• Literary works
• Motion pictures
• Sound recordings
• Architectural works
![Page 10: ©2006 Genworth Financial, Inc. All rights reserved. Finding and Managing Intellectual Property Assets 2006 Virginia State Bar Meeting](https://reader030.vdocuments.us/reader030/viewer/2022032517/56649c925503460f9494d305/html5/thumbnails/10.jpg)
10
Copyright Owner May Control
• Reproduction
• Distribution
• Adaptation
• Public display
• Public performance
![Page 11: ©2006 Genworth Financial, Inc. All rights reserved. Finding and Managing Intellectual Property Assets 2006 Virginia State Bar Meeting](https://reader030.vdocuments.us/reader030/viewer/2022032517/56649c925503460f9494d305/html5/thumbnails/11.jpg)
11
Why Important
• We need to protect our copyrights– Sales materials, software, training materials
• Respect the copyrights of others– Photos, music, software, print media
– Use only with appropriate permission
![Page 12: ©2006 Genworth Financial, Inc. All rights reserved. Finding and Managing Intellectual Property Assets 2006 Virginia State Bar Meeting](https://reader030.vdocuments.us/reader030/viewer/2022032517/56649c925503460f9494d305/html5/thumbnails/12.jpg)
12
Patents
![Page 13: ©2006 Genworth Financial, Inc. All rights reserved. Finding and Managing Intellectual Property Assets 2006 Virginia State Bar Meeting](https://reader030.vdocuments.us/reader030/viewer/2022032517/56649c925503460f9494d305/html5/thumbnails/13.jpg)
13
What Is a Patent?
• The right to exclude others from making, using, selling or offering to sell
• Viewed favorably by courts
• Patent portfolios = a strong company asset
![Page 14: ©2006 Genworth Financial, Inc. All rights reserved. Finding and Managing Intellectual Property Assets 2006 Virginia State Bar Meeting](https://reader030.vdocuments.us/reader030/viewer/2022032517/56649c925503460f9494d305/html5/thumbnails/14.jpg)
14
U.S. Patent Requirements
• § 101 – patentable subject matter
• § 102 – novelty
• § 103 – non-obviousness
![Page 15: ©2006 Genworth Financial, Inc. All rights reserved. Finding and Managing Intellectual Property Assets 2006 Virginia State Bar Meeting](https://reader030.vdocuments.us/reader030/viewer/2022032517/56649c925503460f9494d305/html5/thumbnails/15.jpg)
15
§101 - Patentable Subject Matter
• New and useful process, machine, manufacture, or composition of matter
• Any new and useful improvement
![Page 16: ©2006 Genworth Financial, Inc. All rights reserved. Finding and Managing Intellectual Property Assets 2006 Virginia State Bar Meeting](https://reader030.vdocuments.us/reader030/viewer/2022032517/56649c925503460f9494d305/html5/thumbnails/16.jpg)
16
Examples of Software Features that are Patentable• Overall System/Method
• New Functions/Processes (Steps)
• New Implementation Of Existing Functions/Processes
• Graphical User Interface
• Algorithms/Implementation of Algorithms
• Data Structures
• Objects
• Neural Networks
![Page 17: ©2006 Genworth Financial, Inc. All rights reserved. Finding and Managing Intellectual Property Assets 2006 Virginia State Bar Meeting](https://reader030.vdocuments.us/reader030/viewer/2022032517/56649c925503460f9494d305/html5/thumbnails/17.jpg)
17
Patentability of Business Methods
• State Street Bank case clarified that "business methods" are patentable
• Business methods are not required to be computer-implemented in order to be patentable under U.S. law (European protection may differ)
![Page 18: ©2006 Genworth Financial, Inc. All rights reserved. Finding and Managing Intellectual Property Assets 2006 Virginia State Bar Meeting](https://reader030.vdocuments.us/reader030/viewer/2022032517/56649c925503460f9494d305/html5/thumbnails/18.jpg)
18
Considerations for Filing for Patents on Business Methods• Would you be able to detect if others were infringing?
• What is the value to the company of the method?
• Will the method be used in a commercial product/service?
• Are there licensing opportunities?
![Page 19: ©2006 Genworth Financial, Inc. All rights reserved. Finding and Managing Intellectual Property Assets 2006 Virginia State Bar Meeting](https://reader030.vdocuments.us/reader030/viewer/2022032517/56649c925503460f9494d305/html5/thumbnails/19.jpg)
19
§102 - Novelty
• Known or used by others, or described in a publication before date of invention
• “Public use” or “on sale” more than 1 year before U.S. filing date - disclosure
• Abandonment, concealment
• Important distinctions between US and non-US regimes
![Page 20: ©2006 Genworth Financial, Inc. All rights reserved. Finding and Managing Intellectual Property Assets 2006 Virginia State Bar Meeting](https://reader030.vdocuments.us/reader030/viewer/2022032517/56649c925503460f9494d305/html5/thumbnails/20.jpg)
20
Examples of Events That May Start §102 Grace Period• Publication of idea on Internet, in trade journals
• Disclosure to third party for purposes of commercialization
• Offering system for sale in this country
• Publicly displaying the system such as at a trade show or convention
![Page 21: ©2006 Genworth Financial, Inc. All rights reserved. Finding and Managing Intellectual Property Assets 2006 Virginia State Bar Meeting](https://reader030.vdocuments.us/reader030/viewer/2022032517/56649c925503460f9494d305/html5/thumbnails/21.jpg)
21
§103 - Non-obviousness
• Non-obvious to a person of “ordinary skill in the art”
• At the time of invention
![Page 22: ©2006 Genworth Financial, Inc. All rights reserved. Finding and Managing Intellectual Property Assets 2006 Virginia State Bar Meeting](https://reader030.vdocuments.us/reader030/viewer/2022032517/56649c925503460f9494d305/html5/thumbnails/22.jpg)
22
Document Inventive Activity
• Keep accurate log books and other materials to demonstrate dates of conception and reduction to practice
• Importance of “diligence”
• Experimental or environmental testing
![Page 23: ©2006 Genworth Financial, Inc. All rights reserved. Finding and Managing Intellectual Property Assets 2006 Virginia State Bar Meeting](https://reader030.vdocuments.us/reader030/viewer/2022032517/56649c925503460f9494d305/html5/thumbnails/23.jpg)
23
Confidentiality Agreements
• Must be signed by all outside parties
• Should clearly identify subject matter – specific better than general
• Helps avoid disclosure problems
![Page 24: ©2006 Genworth Financial, Inc. All rights reserved. Finding and Managing Intellectual Property Assets 2006 Virginia State Bar Meeting](https://reader030.vdocuments.us/reader030/viewer/2022032517/56649c925503460f9494d305/html5/thumbnails/24.jpg)
24
Independent Contractors
• Use engagement letters
• Use confidentiality agreements
• Use assignment agreements - ensure that any inventions discovered by an independent contractor working for Genworth becomes Genworth’s property
![Page 25: ©2006 Genworth Financial, Inc. All rights reserved. Finding and Managing Intellectual Property Assets 2006 Virginia State Bar Meeting](https://reader030.vdocuments.us/reader030/viewer/2022032517/56649c925503460f9494d305/html5/thumbnails/25.jpg)
25
In contrast….Trade Secrets as Alternative to PatentsAny formula, pattern, device or combination of information which is used in a business and, because it is unknown to others, gives the business a competitive advantage.
![Page 26: ©2006 Genworth Financial, Inc. All rights reserved. Finding and Managing Intellectual Property Assets 2006 Virginia State Bar Meeting](https://reader030.vdocuments.us/reader030/viewer/2022032517/56649c925503460f9494d305/html5/thumbnails/26.jpg)
26
Considerations for Filing for Patents on Business Methods• Should the "business method“ be kept as a trade secret?
– Can others detect it?
– Can you maintain it in secrecy?
– What is the useful life of the business method?
– Are competitors likely to file for patents on similar methods?
![Page 27: ©2006 Genworth Financial, Inc. All rights reserved. Finding and Managing Intellectual Property Assets 2006 Virginia State Bar Meeting](https://reader030.vdocuments.us/reader030/viewer/2022032517/56649c925503460f9494d305/html5/thumbnails/27.jpg)
27
Strategies for Trade Secret Protection
• Identify Genworth’s valuable trade secrets
• Written trade secret protection policy
• Educate employees about trade secret protection policy and monitor compliance
• Restrict trade secret access to employees with a legitimate, business related, need to know
• Mark documents containing trade secrets
• Physically isolate and protect most important trade secrets
![Page 28: ©2006 Genworth Financial, Inc. All rights reserved. Finding and Managing Intellectual Property Assets 2006 Virginia State Bar Meeting](https://reader030.vdocuments.us/reader030/viewer/2022032517/56649c925503460f9494d305/html5/thumbnails/28.jpg)
28
….Strategies for Trade Secret Protection
• Maintain computer secrecy
• Restrict public access to your facilities
• Deal cautiously with third parties - use confidentiality agreements
• Be careful and consistent with unsolicited submissions
![Page 29: ©2006 Genworth Financial, Inc. All rights reserved. Finding and Managing Intellectual Property Assets 2006 Virginia State Bar Meeting](https://reader030.vdocuments.us/reader030/viewer/2022032517/56649c925503460f9494d305/html5/thumbnails/29.jpg)
29
Strategic Reasons for Implementing Formal IP Program
![Page 30: ©2006 Genworth Financial, Inc. All rights reserved. Finding and Managing Intellectual Property Assets 2006 Virginia State Bar Meeting](https://reader030.vdocuments.us/reader030/viewer/2022032517/56649c925503460f9494d305/html5/thumbnails/30.jpg)
30
Offensive Reasons
• Market advantage – Leverage exclusive rights to Genworth’s developments, sue to obtain injunction and/or damages
• Injunctions – Ability to shut down infringer
• License to obtain royalties or other business benefit
• Marketing advantage – real/apparent
• Enhance/maintain first mover advantage
• Protect investment in R&D
• Occupy field in and/or surrounding key standards
![Page 31: ©2006 Genworth Financial, Inc. All rights reserved. Finding and Managing Intellectual Property Assets 2006 Virginia State Bar Meeting](https://reader030.vdocuments.us/reader030/viewer/2022032517/56649c925503460f9494d305/html5/thumbnails/31.jpg)
31
Defensive Reasons
• Defend against patents of competitors
• Cross license if accused of infringing
• Counter sue if sued – use as bargaining chip
• Bolster settlement position
• Partners/investors want to know if “idea” is protected
• Competitor who independently develops idea can obtain IP rights
![Page 32: ©2006 Genworth Financial, Inc. All rights reserved. Finding and Managing Intellectual Property Assets 2006 Virginia State Bar Meeting](https://reader030.vdocuments.us/reader030/viewer/2022032517/56649c925503460f9494d305/html5/thumbnails/32.jpg)
32
Importance of Formal IP Program
• Convey importance of IP to all employees
• Educate employees on steps necessary to benefit from IP/avoid loss of rights/reduce liability
![Page 33: ©2006 Genworth Financial, Inc. All rights reserved. Finding and Managing Intellectual Property Assets 2006 Virginia State Bar Meeting](https://reader030.vdocuments.us/reader030/viewer/2022032517/56649c925503460f9494d305/html5/thumbnails/33.jpg)
33
Goals of IP Program
• Protect technology and market position
• Exploit IP – Use as a business tool/source of revenue
• Avoid or reduce liability
![Page 34: ©2006 Genworth Financial, Inc. All rights reserved. Finding and Managing Intellectual Property Assets 2006 Virginia State Bar Meeting](https://reader030.vdocuments.us/reader030/viewer/2022032517/56649c925503460f9494d305/html5/thumbnails/34.jpg)
34
Essentials for Successful IP Program
• Technical – must identify inventions; comply with procedures
• Business/Sales/Marketing – must be aware of what can cause loss of rights; know about technology that can be exploited
![Page 35: ©2006 Genworth Financial, Inc. All rights reserved. Finding and Managing Intellectual Property Assets 2006 Virginia State Bar Meeting](https://reader030.vdocuments.us/reader030/viewer/2022032517/56649c925503460f9494d305/html5/thumbnails/35.jpg)
35
The IP Program
• Create and distribute/make accessible patentability and program reference
• Use online collaborative workroom to enhance inventor/counsel interaction
• Provide access to and instructions for completing invention disclosure forms
• Use procedure for receiving, logging and tracking invention disclosure forms
• Involve key business personnel– IP council
– Management support
![Page 36: ©2006 Genworth Financial, Inc. All rights reserved. Finding and Managing Intellectual Property Assets 2006 Virginia State Bar Meeting](https://reader030.vdocuments.us/reader030/viewer/2022032517/56649c925503460f9494d305/html5/thumbnails/36.jpg)
36
IP Program Considerations
• Employee issues (existing employees, new hires, departing employees)
• Contractors and Consultants (ensure ownership of IP, confidentiality, etc.)
• Manufacturers, distributors, joint ventures
• Indemnity
• Mechanisms for identifying IP– Submission procedures
– Status chart
![Page 37: ©2006 Genworth Financial, Inc. All rights reserved. Finding and Managing Intellectual Property Assets 2006 Virginia State Bar Meeting](https://reader030.vdocuments.us/reader030/viewer/2022032517/56649c925503460f9494d305/html5/thumbnails/37.jpg)
37
IP Program Considerations
• Documentation (notebooks, invention disclosures, etc.)
• Pre-release reviews – avoid loss of rights (speeches, publications, trade shows, etc.)
• Avoiding liability
• Insurance
• Clearance process for new products and processes – non-infringement options
![Page 38: ©2006 Genworth Financial, Inc. All rights reserved. Finding and Managing Intellectual Property Assets 2006 Virginia State Bar Meeting](https://reader030.vdocuments.us/reader030/viewer/2022032517/56649c925503460f9494d305/html5/thumbnails/38.jpg)
38
Identifying and Harvesting Inventions
• Identify business units that may generate inventions
• Identify key personnel in each business unit to monitor handling of inventions
• Educate and train key personnel regarding patentability and key issues
• Provide seminars for other personnel to enlighten and inspire
• Reward and recognition program for inventors
![Page 39: ©2006 Genworth Financial, Inc. All rights reserved. Finding and Managing Intellectual Property Assets 2006 Virginia State Bar Meeting](https://reader030.vdocuments.us/reader030/viewer/2022032517/56649c925503460f9494d305/html5/thumbnails/39.jpg)
39
Identify Existing IP
• For existing IP that is not protected, immediate attention should be directed to determining whether and how it may be protected, and if protectable, deciding whether to protect it.
• Critical to do this to avoid inadvertent loss of rights.
![Page 40: ©2006 Genworth Financial, Inc. All rights reserved. Finding and Managing Intellectual Property Assets 2006 Virginia State Bar Meeting](https://reader030.vdocuments.us/reader030/viewer/2022032517/56649c925503460f9494d305/html5/thumbnails/40.jpg)
40
Identifying IP
• Identify IP being developed and any timing issues
• Identify key areas of development early – sometimes broad ideas can be protected and details added later
![Page 41: ©2006 Genworth Financial, Inc. All rights reserved. Finding and Managing Intellectual Property Assets 2006 Virginia State Bar Meeting](https://reader030.vdocuments.us/reader030/viewer/2022032517/56649c925503460f9494d305/html5/thumbnails/41.jpg)
41
IP Protection – Implementation
• Review audit list
• Develop strategy (what to protect, how, etc.)
• Prioritize, group, budget
• Decide
• Prepare and file applications
• Avoid infringement of third party rights
• Get indemnities
• Consider insurance
• Conduct clearance search, obtain opinion if necessary
![Page 42: ©2006 Genworth Financial, Inc. All rights reserved. Finding and Managing Intellectual Property Assets 2006 Virginia State Bar Meeting](https://reader030.vdocuments.us/reader030/viewer/2022032517/56649c925503460f9494d305/html5/thumbnails/42.jpg)
42
IP Protection – Implementation
• For mergers, acquisitions, investment, partnerships: IP due diligence can be critical to:– Ensure protection
– Identify potential liability
– Valuation
![Page 43: ©2006 Genworth Financial, Inc. All rights reserved. Finding and Managing Intellectual Property Assets 2006 Virginia State Bar Meeting](https://reader030.vdocuments.us/reader030/viewer/2022032517/56649c925503460f9494d305/html5/thumbnails/43.jpg)
43
IP Protection - Respect
• Respect the IP rights of third parties
• Educate associates
• Documented corporate guidelines
• Part of Integrity Program
![Page 44: ©2006 Genworth Financial, Inc. All rights reserved. Finding and Managing Intellectual Property Assets 2006 Virginia State Bar Meeting](https://reader030.vdocuments.us/reader030/viewer/2022032517/56649c925503460f9494d305/html5/thumbnails/44.jpg)
44