Patent protection: 11+5 most common myths and mistakes

1. Patent protection: myths and mistakes Mikk Putk, patent attorney Sarap & Putk Patent Agency

2. Thinking that patents are the only intellectual property Patent = Intellectual Property 14.10.2014 2

3. Thinking that you don’t have any intellectual property Every company has at least: • Domain name • Trademark • Know how, • Copyrights, • Trade secret • etc 14.10.2014 3

4. Relying on one type of intellectual property protection One single product can be protected for example by: • Copyrights, • Patent, • Trademark, • Trade secret; • Know-how, • Design registration http://www.slideshare.net/mtarrant/valuing-intellectual-property 14.10.2014 4

5. The product has global market – I want to patent it everywhere! Stop! There is no world-wide patent nor you are going to commercialize your product in every single country! Examples of different patent systems Validating granted European patent Deadline to file PCT, EP or national patent applications Filing US provisional, EP, PCT or national patent application as a priority application Publication Request for examination (If the EP application is filed) 6 36 48 0 12 18 30 Months Alternative patent systems: Preliminary search report from EPO 1. PCT (international patent application); 2. Eurasian Patent application; 3. National patent application (e.g. US, JP, AU, CA, CN, etc) If the first application was PCT application then 30 months form filing date is the deadline to file national applications 24 DE UK ES IT, etc US JP AU CN, etc 14.10.2014 5

6. Failing to conduct prior art search 14.10.2014 6

7. Publishing your IP before securing your rights • Disclosure of the invention (without a Non-Disclosure Agreement) • Publishing a research paper • Relying on grace-period http://www.humorburst.com/internet-vs-intellectual-property/ 14.10.2014 7

8. Doing It Yourself Be aware of: Non-official online filing systems; Different IP protection systems; Patent Jargon • Toy ball = spherical object with floppy filaments to promote sure capture • Swimming pool = Water-retaining recreational structure • Balloon = Spherical device • Pen = writing instrument • Spring = energy-storing mean • nail, screw = fastening means • Battery = electrical power source for electronic circuits http://technology.ie/intellectual-property-explained-visually/ 14.10.2014 8

9. The IP protection is not linked to your business plan Fujitsu: “We are promoting an intellectual property strategy closely integrated with our business and R&D strategies. ” Idea Development Production Selling http://www.fujitsu.com/global/about/tech/intellectualproperty/ 14.10.2014 9

10. Relying on a single patent Competitor P2 P3 Pn P1 Competitor P1 Competitor P2 P3 Pn 14.10.2014 10

11. Failing to create original trademark 14.10.2014 11

12. Avoiding to regulate your IP rights in contracts Source: http://i-to-m.com/product-development/ Management Colleagues Author Manufacturers Partners Researchers Engineers Programmers Designers Marketing Dealers, resellers Licensees Media, publishers 14.10.2014 12

13. Other myths & mistakes • Requesting everyone to sign NDA • Outsourcing: Freelancer, Elance, O-Desk, 99designs etc • Overspending or underspending on IP protection • No plan nor strategy what, where and how to protect • Ignoring a Competitor's Patent 14.10.2014 13

14. Where to start? • What intellectual property do you have? – Identify your IP! • Who owns your intellectual property? – Check your contracts! • Do you have the rights? – Conduct freedom to operate search! – Conduct freedom to use search! • Start protecting your IP step by step! – Register domain names & trademarks! – Avoid infringement of other’s IP rights! 14.10.2014 14

15. 15 Thank you! Presentations: http://www.slideshare.net/patent/presentations/ Contact Sarap & Putk Patent Agency, http://www.patent.ee, patent@patent.ee Tartu: Margus Sarap, margus.sarap@patent.ee, tel 747 7058 Tallinn: Mikk Putk, mikk.putk@patent.ee, 53 039 088, Skype: mikkputk https://www.facebook.com/Patent.ee 14.10.2014 Is the class half empty or half full? Answer: Liquid H20 bisects an open cylindrical vessel