What do technology majors or other desirable purchasers really seek? What do they value that would not be obvious unless you had been through such a deal? How can past success be replicated? Does IP really matter? And most importantly, how does one build a strong valuation?
Using practical case studies, this presentation focuses on aspects of acquisitions that may be new to many entrepreneurs.
http://www.marsdd.com/events/details/bought-google-technology-heavyweight/
• Patent Basics
• From Conception to Capitalize
• Offensive Strategy: Excluding Competitors
• Defensive Strategy: Maintaining Your Freedom to Operate
• Monetizing IP
• Do I Need a Patent
It all starts with an epiphany. Every invention begins with a single “eureka moment” or some “brilliant revelation” that causes the inventor to take action.
These epiphanies become the idea seeds planted by inventors around the world. But we can only wish the process was as simple as adding water and fertilizer and waiting for the ideas to spring to life.
Inventions are not just patents to be hung on a wall. They are the starting point for a new business enterprise. So, not only does the inventor have to figure out how to create a working product or device, they also have to drive it forward, creating a business model that will enable it to survive. And that’s where we come in.
The Inventor Boot Camp will help you focus on what’s important. We will show you ways to leverage your time and resources, eliminate unnecessary work, and direct your energies towards driving your product forward. And most importantly, we will teach you what it takes to become successful.
Key Strategies to Learn
How to perform an early stage benefit/market analysis to decide in advance who your end customer will be. Once you fully understand who your customer is, only then can you begin to piece together your business model.
How to develop a profit-centric mindset, the same thinking used by most successful inventors, to maximize your odds of success.
How to decide if your invention needs to be patented. If it doesn’t, this can save you significant amounts of money.
Who you should be listening to. Advice will come from many sources, but not all of it will be good.
How to best position yourself for funding. Hear it directly from the people who have money to invest.
Patent Monetization: Buy, Sell, License, Hold?Erik Oliver
Given the myriad of ways companies use to monetize their patents, how do you know which choice to make? ROL Group delves into this question by looking at the different types of monetization strategies available, and balances the options based on their current market and judicial factors.
Intellectual property (IP) is the lifeblood of every knowledge-based start-up or venture. Learn how to identify and manage your intellectual property in a strategic way and examine how it fits in with your overall business model. A large part of your competitive advantage depends on your ability to protect and properly exploit or commercialize your product or service innovations. IP law provides the framework for protecting and commercializing these innovations.
• Patent Basics
• From Conception to Capitalize
• Offensive Strategy: Excluding Competitors
• Defensive Strategy: Maintaining Your Freedom to Operate
• Monetizing IP
• Do I Need a Patent
It all starts with an epiphany. Every invention begins with a single “eureka moment” or some “brilliant revelation” that causes the inventor to take action.
These epiphanies become the idea seeds planted by inventors around the world. But we can only wish the process was as simple as adding water and fertilizer and waiting for the ideas to spring to life.
Inventions are not just patents to be hung on a wall. They are the starting point for a new business enterprise. So, not only does the inventor have to figure out how to create a working product or device, they also have to drive it forward, creating a business model that will enable it to survive. And that’s where we come in.
The Inventor Boot Camp will help you focus on what’s important. We will show you ways to leverage your time and resources, eliminate unnecessary work, and direct your energies towards driving your product forward. And most importantly, we will teach you what it takes to become successful.
Key Strategies to Learn
How to perform an early stage benefit/market analysis to decide in advance who your end customer will be. Once you fully understand who your customer is, only then can you begin to piece together your business model.
How to develop a profit-centric mindset, the same thinking used by most successful inventors, to maximize your odds of success.
How to decide if your invention needs to be patented. If it doesn’t, this can save you significant amounts of money.
Who you should be listening to. Advice will come from many sources, but not all of it will be good.
How to best position yourself for funding. Hear it directly from the people who have money to invest.
Patent Monetization: Buy, Sell, License, Hold?Erik Oliver
Given the myriad of ways companies use to monetize their patents, how do you know which choice to make? ROL Group delves into this question by looking at the different types of monetization strategies available, and balances the options based on their current market and judicial factors.
Intellectual property (IP) is the lifeblood of every knowledge-based start-up or venture. Learn how to identify and manage your intellectual property in a strategic way and examine how it fits in with your overall business model. A large part of your competitive advantage depends on your ability to protect and properly exploit or commercialize your product or service innovations. IP law provides the framework for protecting and commercializing these innovations.
The Social Consumer: Cashing in on the social graph - MaRS Market InsightsMaRS Discovery District
The shopping experience, both online and offline, has been transformed by social media. The voice of the customer heard through online networks influences their purchase decisions, and new technologies are redesigning in-store shopping. But will social commerce really be a $30 billion global opportunity by 2015?
With less than half of Canadian small- and medium-sized businesses online, and more than 90% of purchases still taking place in bricks-and-mortar stores, is it really necessary to leverage the social graph at this time? Are social networks like Facebook and Pinterest the next wave for e-commerce? Where should marketers and retailers focus their efforts? What role do startups play in the social commerce ecosystem?
Social innovation – innovative, practical, sustainable, market-based approaches that benefit society, with special focus on the vulnerable — is gaining traction by companies and governments alike.
• What distinguishes social innovation from more traditional approaches to solving social problems?
• What measurement methods are used to evaluate the economic and social impact?
Presentation made by Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship and World Economic Forum
Barbara Jaworski, of Workplace Institute's presentation on Older Workforce Strategy presented at Business of Aging Summit, April 30, 2012 at MaRS Discovery District.
Canadian Innovation Commercialization Program (CICP) - Innovation Information...MaRS Discovery District
Find out how the latest in federal government innovation and commercialization initiatives can help your business.
Public Works and Government Services Canada: Canadian Innovation Commercialization Program (CICP)
Social networking platforms have changed the way we build and manage relationships, but how have they impacted health care?
Find out how social networks can fill gaps in our current system of health-care delivery and support improved quality of care.
http://www.marsdd.com/events/details/social-networks-and-health-care/
Beyond the Solar Module: Optimizing system performance and maximizing returns...MaRS Discovery District
Optimizing system performance and maximizing returns requires a holistic approach that combines the study and application of components, materials and processes.
Learn more about these three areas:
* the state of the market for solar PV balance of systems (BOS)
* best practices for system monitoring, operations and maintenance
* challenges and potential solutions for Ontario’s connection and grid constraints, as seen by utilities and developers
Innovation Information Forum: Federal programs, services and financing for en...MaRS Discovery District
Find out how the latest in federal government innovation and commercialization initiatives can help your business.
Hear from experts at the following departments and agencies to get up-to-date information on how their programs and services support innovation and entrepreneurship:
* Public Works and Government Services Canada Canadian Innovation Commercialization Program (CICP)
* National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC-IRAP)
* Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada Going Global Innovation (GGI)
* Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario Investing in Business Innovation Program (IBI)
It is said that business partnerships are like marriage: easy to get into, messy to get out of. Typically, entrepreneurs require something only a partner can bring to the table, such as money, contacts or a skill set. Sometimes an entrepreneur needs the confidence that can only be provided by working with someone else. Often entrepreneurs spend more time interviewing and assessing the fit of an employee than a prospective partner and end up regretting getting into business with their partner.
Watch event video for more: http://www.marsdd.com/videos/?sort=&se=bestpractices
In order to craft your value proposition, you need to make certain assumptions about your target market. It is important to validate these assumptions through market research techniques and analysis.
In this lecture, market research experts introduce the principles of market research and analysis, including analytical frameworks such as the PEST analysis and Porter’s Five Forces.
Moving from drug discovery to drug development requires a particular skillset usually not yet honed by start-ups. This phase of the development process is highly regulated and, critically, inexperienced start-ups often underestimate the duration and cost of delivering the dosage form into the clinic while meeting regulations.
This presentation will address the following:
* aspects of the Chemistry, Manufacturing and Control (CMC) portion of the drug development process
* bioavailability and the Biopharmaceutics Classification System (BCS)
* objectives of formulation
* cost-effective strategies to reach key milestones
Getting Bought by Google: Or another technology heavyweight - MaRS Best Pract...MaRS Discovery District
What do technology majors or other desirable purchasers really seek? What do they value that would not be obvious unless you had been through such a deal? How can past success be replicated? Does IP really matter? And most importantly, how does one build a strong valuation?
Using practical case studies, this presentation focuses on aspects of acquisitions that may be new to many entrepreneurs.
http://www.marsdd.com/events/details/bought-google-technology-heavyweight/
The Social Consumer: Cashing in on the social graph - MaRS Market InsightsMaRS Discovery District
The shopping experience, both online and offline, has been transformed by social media. The voice of the customer heard through online networks influences their purchase decisions, and new technologies are redesigning in-store shopping. But will social commerce really be a $30 billion global opportunity by 2015?
With less than half of Canadian small- and medium-sized businesses online, and more than 90% of purchases still taking place in bricks-and-mortar stores, is it really necessary to leverage the social graph at this time? Are social networks like Facebook and Pinterest the next wave for e-commerce? Where should marketers and retailers focus their efforts? What role do startups play in the social commerce ecosystem?
Social innovation – innovative, practical, sustainable, market-based approaches that benefit society, with special focus on the vulnerable — is gaining traction by companies and governments alike.
• What distinguishes social innovation from more traditional approaches to solving social problems?
• What measurement methods are used to evaluate the economic and social impact?
Presentation made by Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship and World Economic Forum
Barbara Jaworski, of Workplace Institute's presentation on Older Workforce Strategy presented at Business of Aging Summit, April 30, 2012 at MaRS Discovery District.
Canadian Innovation Commercialization Program (CICP) - Innovation Information...MaRS Discovery District
Find out how the latest in federal government innovation and commercialization initiatives can help your business.
Public Works and Government Services Canada: Canadian Innovation Commercialization Program (CICP)
Social networking platforms have changed the way we build and manage relationships, but how have they impacted health care?
Find out how social networks can fill gaps in our current system of health-care delivery and support improved quality of care.
http://www.marsdd.com/events/details/social-networks-and-health-care/
Beyond the Solar Module: Optimizing system performance and maximizing returns...MaRS Discovery District
Optimizing system performance and maximizing returns requires a holistic approach that combines the study and application of components, materials and processes.
Learn more about these three areas:
* the state of the market for solar PV balance of systems (BOS)
* best practices for system monitoring, operations and maintenance
* challenges and potential solutions for Ontario’s connection and grid constraints, as seen by utilities and developers
Innovation Information Forum: Federal programs, services and financing for en...MaRS Discovery District
Find out how the latest in federal government innovation and commercialization initiatives can help your business.
Hear from experts at the following departments and agencies to get up-to-date information on how their programs and services support innovation and entrepreneurship:
* Public Works and Government Services Canada Canadian Innovation Commercialization Program (CICP)
* National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC-IRAP)
* Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada Going Global Innovation (GGI)
* Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario Investing in Business Innovation Program (IBI)
It is said that business partnerships are like marriage: easy to get into, messy to get out of. Typically, entrepreneurs require something only a partner can bring to the table, such as money, contacts or a skill set. Sometimes an entrepreneur needs the confidence that can only be provided by working with someone else. Often entrepreneurs spend more time interviewing and assessing the fit of an employee than a prospective partner and end up regretting getting into business with their partner.
Watch event video for more: http://www.marsdd.com/videos/?sort=&se=bestpractices
In order to craft your value proposition, you need to make certain assumptions about your target market. It is important to validate these assumptions through market research techniques and analysis.
In this lecture, market research experts introduce the principles of market research and analysis, including analytical frameworks such as the PEST analysis and Porter’s Five Forces.
Moving from drug discovery to drug development requires a particular skillset usually not yet honed by start-ups. This phase of the development process is highly regulated and, critically, inexperienced start-ups often underestimate the duration and cost of delivering the dosage form into the clinic while meeting regulations.
This presentation will address the following:
* aspects of the Chemistry, Manufacturing and Control (CMC) portion of the drug development process
* bioavailability and the Biopharmaceutics Classification System (BCS)
* objectives of formulation
* cost-effective strategies to reach key milestones
Getting Bought by Google: Or another technology heavyweight - MaRS Best Pract...MaRS Discovery District
What do technology majors or other desirable purchasers really seek? What do they value that would not be obvious unless you had been through such a deal? How can past success be replicated? Does IP really matter? And most importantly, how does one build a strong valuation?
Using practical case studies, this presentation focuses on aspects of acquisitions that may be new to many entrepreneurs.
http://www.marsdd.com/events/details/bought-google-technology-heavyweight/
How, as a burgeoning company, should you fit intellectual property investment into your business strategy? We outline Typical IP strategies for startups and help advise how to value factors such as risk, counter assertions and more.
Legal mistakes can doom even the best startup concepts and founding teams. This workshop prepares you with a legal road map to successfully safeguarding your product or idea. Yuri Eliezer, Founder and Patent Attorney at SmartUp, will show you how to reserve your Intellectual Property rights.
Prenuptial Patenting: Responsible Engagement with Engineering FirmsAurora Consulting
You have your big idea and now it’s time to breathe it into existence, but you need some help with the development. Like many others, you may turn to the aid of an engineering firm or dev shop. This relationship is a marriage of sorts. But it’s a marriage that is designed to inevitably end in divorce. How cleanly, smoothly, and successfully this separation goes depends on the steps that you take before it officially begins.
Dr. Ashley Sloat, President and Director of Patent Strategy at Aurora, leads a discussion into Responsible Engagement with Engineering Firms, or what we affectionately refer to here as “Prenuptial Patenting”. Ashley and our all star patent panel walk you down the aisle and explore everything you need to know to experience marital bliss and an amicable divorce with your engineering partners. This talk covers the full life cycle from vetting partners to post development concerns and everything in between – with particular focus on relationship complexities like IP ownership, assignment from engineering firm inventors back to you, and how to avoid the traps of viral IP.
Blog post: https://www.aurorapatents.com/blog/prenuptial-patenting
Podcast Episode: https://patentlystrategic.buzzsprout.com
Intellectual Property for Start-Ups and Small Businesses: A Top 10 and Q & A Series. Wednesday, February 20th @ 11:45 - 1:15 - Presented by Jill Link. Location: Bozeman Public Library - Large Community Room
Patent Market 2017: Buyers, Sellers, Motivations & Prices?Erik Oliver
What are the driving forces behind the patent market in 2017? We examine the current trends and companies shaping the patent market for this year, as well as the various winning IP proliferation strategies outlined by noteworthy companies.
Turning Products into Companies – Case – Actuality SystemsMichael Skok
Through this case example, Actuality Systems Founder Gregg Favalora offers helpful insight into the path Actuality took from product design, to its acquisition by Optics for Hire in 2009 - and the ultimate patent sale (and exit) in 2011. Offering an insider’s view of building and commercializing 3D display products, Gregg offers his thoughts on some powerful lessons he learned as he grew his company.
uTest CMO Matt Johnston Presents "Online Communities: Changing the Way Work ...uTest
Anyone can build a loosely affiliated, unstructured crowd - a mob. The key to successfully employing a crowdsourcing model in a b2b/professional services type space is to advance beyond the realm of a ‘mob’ to create an engaged, interactive community of diverse and skilled professionals. With the help of reputation and compensation systems, community recruitment and engagement, public profiles and social media, crowdsourcing has the potential to take the services industry to new heights.
Using real-world examples, Johnston will dispel the most common myths about crowdsourcing; explain why it doesn’t mean the end to in-house staffs; and reveal why it is NOT just another marketing buzz word.
Similar to Getting Bought by Google: Or another technology heavyweight - MaRS Best Practices (20)
Don Tapscott's New Solutions for a Connected Planet - MaRS Global LeadershipMaRS Discovery District
In this new age of networked intelligence, collaborative communities are enhancing and even bypassing crumbling institutions. We are innovating the way our financial institutions and governments operate; how we educate our children; how the healthcare, newspaper, and energy industries serve their customers; how we care for our neighbourhoods; and even how we solve global problems.
From his latest book, (co-author Anthony D. Williams) Macrowikinomics: New Solutions for a Connected Planet, Don Tapscott presents groundbreaking innovations from every corner of the globe: how businesses, organizations and individuals alike are using mass collaboration to revolutionize not only the way we work, but how we live, learn, create and care for each other.
SR&ED: What you need to know about the changing landscape - MaRS Best PracticesMaRS Discovery District
The Scientific Research and Experimental Development (SR&ED) tax incentive program provides support in the form of tax credits to groups or individuals conducting scientific research or experimental development in Canada.
Some significant changes are on the way as a result of the last federal budget. See how these new rules could affect you!
Geoff Mulgan, CEO of Nesta UK's presentation on The Paradoxes of Ageing and How to Overcome Them at the Business of Aging Summit 2012 held on April 30, 2012 at the MaRS Discovery District.
Geoff Mulgan is recognized internationally as a leading speaker on social innovation and its successful realization. Very familiar with the pinch of austere budgets in the UK, Geoff will discuss the opportunities society has to overcome the barriers that fiscal challenges present to innovation.
Following the 2008 global financial crisis Geoff laid out the challenges ahead during his 2009 TED Talk: “I think what connects the challenge for business, the challenge for government and the challenge for communities now, is both simple and difficult. We know our societies have to radically change. We know we can’t go back to where we were before. We know it’s only through experiment that we’ll discover exactly how to run a low carbon city, how to care for a much older population, how to deal with drug addiction – and so on.”
Digital Transformation and IT Strategy Toolkit and TemplatesAurelien Domont, MBA
This Digital Transformation and IT Strategy Toolkit was created by ex-McKinsey, Deloitte and BCG Management Consultants, after more than 5,000 hours of work. It is considered the world's best & most comprehensive Digital Transformation and IT Strategy Toolkit. It includes all the Frameworks, Best Practices & Templates required to successfully undertake the Digital Transformation of your organization and define a robust IT Strategy.
Editable Toolkit to help you reuse our content: 700 Powerpoint slides | 35 Excel sheets | 84 minutes of Video training
This PowerPoint presentation is only a small preview of our Toolkits. For more details, visit www.domontconsulting.com
Discover the innovative and creative projects that highlight my journey throu...dylandmeas
Discover the innovative and creative projects that highlight my journey through Full Sail University. Below, you’ll find a collection of my work showcasing my skills and expertise in digital marketing, event planning, and media production.
Personal Brand Statement:
As an Army veteran dedicated to lifelong learning, I bring a disciplined, strategic mindset to my pursuits. I am constantly expanding my knowledge to innovate and lead effectively. My journey is driven by a commitment to excellence, and to make a meaningful impact in the world.
Business Valuation Principles for EntrepreneursBen Wann
This insightful presentation is designed to equip entrepreneurs with the essential knowledge and tools needed to accurately value their businesses. Understanding business valuation is crucial for making informed decisions, whether you're seeking investment, planning to sell, or simply want to gauge your company's worth.
Kseniya Leshchenko: Shared development support service model as the way to ma...Lviv Startup Club
Kseniya Leshchenko: Shared development support service model as the way to make small projects with small budgets profitable for the company (UA)
Kyiv PMDay 2024 Summer
Website – www.pmday.org
Youtube – https://www.youtube.com/startuplviv
FB – https://www.facebook.com/pmdayconference
The world of search engine optimization (SEO) is buzzing with discussions after Google confirmed that around 2,500 leaked internal documents related to its Search feature are indeed authentic. The revelation has sparked significant concerns within the SEO community. The leaked documents were initially reported by SEO experts Rand Fishkin and Mike King, igniting widespread analysis and discourse. For More Info:- https://news.arihantwebtech.com/search-disrupted-googles-leaked-documents-rock-the-seo-world/
Recruiting in the Digital Age: A Social Media MasterclassLuanWise
In this masterclass, presented at the Global HR Summit on 5th June 2024, Luan Wise explored the essential features of social media platforms that support talent acquisition, including LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter) and TikTok.
B2B payments are rapidly changing. Find out the 5 key questions you need to be asking yourself to be sure you are mastering B2B payments today. Learn more at www.BlueSnap.com.
An introduction to the cryptocurrency investment platform Binance Savings.Any kyc Account
Learn how to use Binance Savings to expand your bitcoin holdings. Discover how to maximize your earnings on one of the most reliable cryptocurrency exchange platforms, as well as how to earn interest on your cryptocurrency holdings and the various savings choices available.
3.0 Project 2_ Developing My Brand Identity Kit.pptxtanyjahb
A personal brand exploration presentation summarizes an individual's unique qualities and goals, covering strengths, values, passions, and target audience. It helps individuals understand what makes them stand out, their desired image, and how they aim to achieve it.
3. Introduction
• Building a valuable startup
• Goal: strategies that can lead to BIGGER
EXITS
• Insights from Dan Servos, Locationary,
previously Social Deck
• Lessons learned, and things observed in
the deal rooms
5. Dan Servos!
Chief Operating Officer"
Confidential – Do not Distribute without Permission
6. Our Vision!
Fulfill the potential of real-time local search & commerce!
Local Advertisers need help!
l Local Business owners need better solutions and information"
Update once, Broadcast everywhere"
l All relevant details distributed in real-time to authorized recipients"
Instant electronic distribution of all local business info!
l New products, prices, promotions, deals, inventory, jobs, events"
"
Confidential – Do not Distribute without Permission
Confidential – Do not distribute without permission 6
8. What is Saturn?!
YOUR DATA!
CLEAN! NORMALIZE! TRANSLATE! DE-DUPLICATE!
Private Data Store / Tools" Integrate / Subscribe"
Federated!
Data!
Exchange!
Platform!
Distribute Data" Real-time Updates"
Confidential – Do not Distribute without Permission
10. IP is HOT!!!
• IP is very hot, especially now
• IP, especially patents, are playing an important in the traction of
new companies, new technologies
• IP of early stage companies is being noticed and a real enabler in
investments, in strategic relationships with large tech partners, and
in acquisitions
• Patent licensing companies e.g. Mosaid, IBM Licensing are making
a lot of money. New patent licensing companies are popping up all
the time, e.g. i4i
• It is NOT TRUE that IP is only noticed if you have a multimillion
dollar war chest – experience proves the contrary
• Nobody wants to be the next NTP
• Contingency patent cases in the U.S. have changed everything
• Established companies are very interested in early mover IP
11. Do what the big companies do, but more
cheaply….
• Develop an IP strategy
• Prioritize, do as much as you can with
internal resources, and scale the IP as the
business scales
• Ensure you are developing IP assets that
map as clearly as possible to your
strategic opportunities
12. What is IP Strategy?
• Mining and Protection of IP in a way that is consistent with a
“business strategy”
• It can be a highly structured document, or more of an “approach” to
IP
• What is not: “knee jerk filings”
• Looking for “platform” filings
• “Omnibus” filings are often ideal, and also the least expensive
• Build IP in areas, and directed specifically at opportunities, where
traction is likely to occur (examples)
• Make difficult IP decisions (e.g. pulling the plug on portfolios for
strategic reasons)
• Companies that develop, update, and follow an IP Strategy, tend to
develop an “IP Culture” which helps build significant value
• Some of the attributes of “IP Culture” are “inclusion” in IP efforts,
integration of IP objectives in various aspects of business, and
generally more “bang for buck” for IP
13. Struggles with disclosure
• Really should not disclose your invention
publicly, before you have developed an IP
strategy
• But you need to know, realistically, what your
“invention” is
• High level marketing may or may not disclose
the invention
• Generally speaking use “selective disclosure”
• Try to have NDAs in place, but have plan for
how to deal with important disclosures without
NDAs
• Remember: not all NDAs are created alike!
14. Forms of IP – “The Social Network”
• October 1, 2005 Facebook completes its
university expansion
• Initially patents are not filed (Mike Z was
somewhat anti-patent initially…)
• But in 2006 Facebook embarks on protection of
various aspects of their innovation for example:
– Technologies for feeding updates for your “wall”
– Technologies for updating your profile, and matching
you to potential friends automatically
– Specific user workflows that embody “user
engagement” innovation
– “Next territories” that Facebook wants to occupy such
as “social gifting”
15. Why is Facebook interesting?
• Fairly typical IP strategy that start-ups can
follow as well, from the outset
• Illustrate different “layers” or protectability
• Really all that matters is the usual
“standards” of patentability
• Although admittedly there are “strong” and
“weaker” patents
• But what is most important is the idea/
business “strong” or “weak”???
16. Starting Point of a Patent
• Important market differentiation
• Business methods are hard to patent, but
implementation of a business method in a practical
system (e.g. Amazon) is much easier
• Provides some useful advantage:
– New platform
– Components may be old, but combination/adaptation/
integration is non-obvious perhaps because of
synergy resulting from the new combination
– Less expensive, easier to transport
– More entertaining
– “Natural” interface, e.g. Autodesk
17. “Normal” Patent Timeline
• File a US provisional, prior to “public disclosure”
• Be caution with beta tests, pilots etc.
• File possibly “follow on” provisional covering
important enhancements in advance of release
• File an international (PCT) application within one
year of first provisional
• Within 4-5 months receive PCT search report
• Must file “national phase” filings within 30
months of first provisional in most countries
18. What are tech majors looking for?
• Big potential market
• A domain that is “heating up” that they
did not have plans for
• A strong team
• Less about technology, and more about
“deep expertise”
19. Legal and Housekeeping Aspects
• Good housekeeping.
– Properly documenting and addressing the business
structure
• Having good advisors
– (e.g. an advisory board, mentors etc.)
• Professional advisors
– (e.g. lawyers and accountant and others)
– Sewing good positive relationships in the eco system
• Avoiding “problem agreements”
• Be ready for “each stage” e.g. technical due
diligence
20. Behind the scenes
• Behind the scene negotiations
– The form of the deal will depend on whether it is an asset/technology
sale versus a share sale versus a licensing arrangement/joint venture
• Real life back and forth regarding valuation (valuation will be a
combination of art and science – unlike in traditional businesses
where you valuate a company based on revenue and goodwill,
startups look at the future potential)
• Value touch points – what seems to interest tech majors, again and
again (personnel, validated evidence of traction and IP if there are
IP objectives at play)
• Due diligence: what matters and what does not? (Keeping the house
in order, documenting agreements and arrangements, keeping
minute books up to date, consideration of a non-disclosure during
due diligence phases)
21. Things to avoid…
• Complex legal structure
• Ownership of technology or IP is not properly
documented
– Contributors may come out of the woodwork (the
skeletons )
– Inadequate consideration for assignments
• IP is oversold – IP is weak
– Narrow claims,
– Overly abstract patent apps
• Patent protection does not cover key markets
22. How much does IP really matter?
• Chilling effect of patents while company gains traction is
generally very important
• When choosing between two companies focusing on the
same technology, the major generally tries to buy the
company with IP before the one without IP
• The IP usually provides a bump in valuation –
sometimes 10%, sometimes 30%, sometimes more – it
depends
• Sometimes the transaction mostly about IP – especially
when there are competitive concerns - Bumptop
• The point is: it is hard to predict, so it is important to
do what you can (reasonably), and whatever IP is
filed, make sure it is as strong as possible
23. Best Practices
• Make sure you are not reinventing wheel: “right” amount of
searching
• Avoid long prior art lists – they can hurt you especially in
prosecution
• Choose patent targets very carefully
– Construct strong scenarios of patentability around key value
propositions
– Grab early as possible priority dates, but drive sufficient detail into
applications
• Start off with omnibus applications (you can divide later, but you
cannot aggregate)
• Focus on platform filings!!!!!
• Focus not only on technology but value delivered by technology
• Describe specifically implications of technology on potential
acquirers e.g. our technology would integrate with….. By….
24. Best Practices, cont.
• File robust provisional patent applications initially, for
flexibility
• PCT applications will provide within 4-5 months a reliable
search report to get your bearings
• Build disclosures that explain the nature of innovation
clearly
• Clear focus on domains that resonate with Examiners –
automation, analytics, architecture, non-obvious user
workflows etc.
• Need a clear plan on what prosecution is likely to yield,
and what this may deliver for the company
• Clear plan to scale IP coverage, if this make sense, and
if necessary recalibrate (IP strategy needs to be reset all
the time)
25. Best Practices
• What is the “right” amount of IP coverage for this company, at this
point?
• Sometimes it is important to wait to file patent later, once the
development pipeline yields further detail that can make claims
more robust (don’t blow the bank on subject matter that realistically
is unlikely to yield strong claims).
• Establish clear goals for prosecution, and reset goals based on
progress of prosecution and market movement
• Be careful not to let international protection consume resources
better spent elsewhere
• Figure out what is the “right” or “realistic” amount of protection, and
make sure that you have a good explanation for your decisions
• A cogent strategy is more important than a patent portfolio
26. Best Practices, cont.
• Availability of a compelling, distilled IP
strategy
• Evidence that company “lives” the IP
strategy
• Protection of IP, using careful agreements
• Organize your documents well: user
engagement, customer feedback,
agreement used at different times e.g.
privacy policy
27. Questions???
Anthony De Fazekas
adefazekas@millerthomson.com