Patricia McGovern, Head of the Intellectual Property Department, DFMG Solicitors, presented "Open Innovation: The Legal Implications" at the IntertradeIreland All-Island Innovation Programme annual conference 2012, Exploiting Industry and University Research, Development and Innovation: Why it Matters held at National University of Ireland, Galway, 12 - 13 June 2012. Part 1
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2012.06.13 Open Innovation: The Legal Implications part 1
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OPEN INNOVATION – THE LEGAL IMPLICATIONS
Patricia McGovern
Head of the Intellectual Property Unit and Chairman of DFMG Solicitors
InterTradeIreland Innovation Conference 2012
12 and 13 June 2012
National University of Ireland, Galway
(c) Patricia McGovern June 2012
All rights Reserved
Introduction
How can research, development and innovation be exploited
to help Ireland’s economic recovery?
The Open Innovation Model
Industry, universities and government collaborating
together
External sourcing of knowledge and cooperation with
other entities instead of in-house
Exchange of ideas, knowledge and technology
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The Open Innovation Model
Not to be confused with “open source”
Legal implications of open innovation model
Intellectual Property Issues
Ownership of rights
How to protect intellectual property
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Reasons to Protect Intellectual Property
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Valuable asset
Can be used to raise finance
Can be exploited commercially
Day-to-day business
Licensing
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Reasons to Protect Intellectual Property
Can set you apart from competitors
Offers customers something new and different
Can be part of a defence strategy
Better protection means easier enforcement
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What is Intellectual Property?
Intellectual property may consist of:
Inventions
Brands
Logos
Domain names
Trading names
Fixed works (e.g. books, articles, brochures, marketing
materials and software)
Shapes of products which are not merely functional
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How do you protect your Intellectual
Property?
Registering it where available and appropriate
Protecting it in practical ways
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Exploiting it
Can be used to generate income
Ensure that not vulnerable to challenge for non-use.
Defending it when others exploit it without permission.
Patents
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Protect inventions
Usually for 20 years
Importance of searches
Importance of watch services
Always seek advice when modifying/varying an invention
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Trade Marks
Can be brands, logos, sounds, smells and colours
The way that goods and services and/or a corporate identity
are represented
Must be distinctive - serves as a badge of origin
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Trade Marks
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Passing Off
Common law protection
where it can be shown that a business has a reputation in
the particular name
Should always register a trade mark where possible
Importance of searches
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Trade Marks
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Cancellation
using it in way it was registered?
Specification
still accurate?
Selling/Licensing unused marks
Trade Marks
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Company Names
Does a company already exist with name?
Consider registering business name incorporating trade
mark
Domain Names
Register trade mark as domain name
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Design Rights
Protection for the physical appearance of items.
Can distinguish your goods from those of competitors.
Can be registered and unregistered.
Unregistered design rights last for 3 years.
Registered design rights last for five years initially but can
be renewed every five years for a maximum of 25 years.
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Copyright
Protection of original literary, artistic, musical or dramatic
works.
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Not a registered right
The copyright symbol and the date should always be placed
on all hard copy items
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Territoriality
Protection usually territorial for patents, trade marks and
designs
Important to identify countries of interest
Open Innovation Model seeks to use intellectual property
rights for commercial benefit
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Practical Ways to Protect Intellectual
Property
Clear agreements with employees
Recordal of information in logbooks
Confidentiality provisions
Clear agreements with independent contractors
Keep all information secure
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Exploiting Intellectual Property
Examples of circumstances which may give rise to open
innovation:
University needs to partner with someone to progress an
invention further
Business needs university research resources
Business has patents it no longer uses
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Exploiting Intellectual Property
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Ancillary Patents
Assigning patents you no longer need to someone else for
consideration
Licensing
“in-licensing” and “out-licensing”
owner (the licensor) permitting another (the licensee) to
use the patent usually in exchange for a reward,
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Basic Terms of Licence Agreement
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Royalties / Royalty-free
What is being licensed?
Termination
Exclusive / Non-exclusive?
Territories covered
Other Issues to be Considered
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Patent Pools
collection of patents needed to produce a particular product
Cross licences
licensing of two or more patents between the parties.
Co-existence agreements
Collaboration
Who owns what?
Apple – Facebook – Nokia / Microsoft
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Dealing with Infringement
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Enforcement
if you do not enforce your rights you could end up losing
them
Cease and Desist letters
Amicable arrangement
Alternative Dispute Resolution
Arbitration
Mediation
Litigation in Commercial Court
Defences to Patent Infringement
Keep record of licences granted and received
Is the patent you are supposedly infringing valid?
Used invention before it was registered
Using invention for private or non-commercial use
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Global Challenges for Management of
Intellectual Property
Protecting new technology
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Counterfeiting
Not only a problem for luxury goods
Important to have authentication procedures
Important to have product guidelines
Pay attention to your supply chain
The Role of the Government in the Open
Innovation Model
Strong Intellectual Property Protection
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Legislation
Cost of protection
Sufficient resources for Customs/Gardaí
Re-introduction of tax relief on patents
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Conclusions
Identify your intellectual property
Protection through registration and other ways outlined
Defend rights when infringed
Consider partnerships and licences
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Information is key
Beware of counterfeiting.
Questions?
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Thank You
Patricia McGovern
DFMG Solicitors
Embassy House
Ballsbridge
Dublin 4
Ireland
Tel: +353 (0) 1 637 6600
Fax: +353 (0) 1 637 6601
Email: pmcgovern@dfmgsolicitors.ie
Website: www.dfmgsolicitors.ie
InterTradeIreland Innovation Conference 2012
Delivered as part of the InterTradeIreland All-Island Innovation Programme
12 and 13 June 2012
National University of Ireland, Galway
(c) Patricia McGovern June 2012
All Rights Reserved 27