Michael O’Connor Partner, Cruickshank Intellectual Property Attorneys

Cleantech Ireland Meeting10th September 2009

Cleantech Intellectual Property

Introduction

• 1975 intangible asset value of companies in S&P 500 Index ® approximately 17%

• 2005 intangible asset value of companies in S&P 500 Index ® approximately 80%

• Intellectual Property (IP) can no longer be ignored!

Introduction

• IP issues of relevance

• Benefits of developing an IP portfolio

• IP filing strategy

• Recent IP updates

Patents

• Monopoly

• Lasts 20 years

• Does not have to be complex

• Must be new

• Must be inventive

Benefits of Patents

• Barrier to entry

• Access to other markets

• An asset

• Taxation benefits

• Other benefits

Filing strategy – Patents

• Preliminary Patent application

• National Applications

• PCT application

Filing strategy – Patents - Main Factors

• Cost

• Company Profile

• Nature of Invention

Trade marks

• Any sign capable of being represented graphically…..

• Words

• Logos

• Slogans

• Colours

• etc

Benefits of Trademarks

• Facilitate repeat purchases

• Avoid confusion

• Facilitate expansion

• Valuable asset

Filing Strategy – Trademarks

• Similar rules apply

• Cover markets

• Consider future expansion

Recent Updates in IP law

• Green Channel at UKIPO

• Specifically for “Green” or “Environmentally Friendly” inventions

• Speeds up grant procedure significantly, grant in < 1 year

• Publications of Patent informatics on UKIPO website

Summary

• Every company has IPR

• Your IPR have a significant value

• Protection and exploitation crucial

For more information or a free 1 hour consultation contact:

moconnor@cruickshank.ie

8a Sandyford Business Centre

Sandyford

Dublin 18

Tel: 01 2992222

Fax: 01 2992299

Web: www.cruickshank.ie