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Alternative ways of using IP and know how

How can your (on the shelve) innovation generate revenue

instead of collect dust?

ECHO 2023

Jan-Diederik Lindemans | Antwerp | Tuesday 7 February 2023

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What is standing between you and a well-deserved break?

Micro course IP

The issue

Why it matters

Possible solutions

Crowell & Moring LLP | 1

J-D Lindemans = advocaat bij groot internationaal kantoor, vooral contentieux rond innovatie, creativiteit en bedrijfsgevoelige info. Begonnen als Media & Entertainment lawyer en oudste clienten zijn nog steeds actief in die sectoren. Ondertussen zijn daar ook festivals bij, TV- en andere content productiehuizen, technologiebedrijven die met beeld en geluid bezig zijn, en aantal grotere venues, etc.

Wanneer wij ons voorstellen aan potentiële nieuwe cliënten, dan krijg ik als IP-specialist vaak dingen te horen als « je bent te laat hoor, wij hebben ons nieuw product al lang gepatenteerd. » En als je dan vraagt « ah interessant en werd uw octrooi vlot verleend ?», dan krijg je als antwoord « octrooi, nee, nee. Wij hebben een merk. » Of soms komt een nieuwe cliënt naar ons om dan verontwaardigd uit te leggen hoe de concurrentie zijn lumineus idee heef gekopieerd en dat ze een monsterproces aan hun broek moeten krijgen, etc. totdat je vraagt welke rechten die nieuwe cliënt heeft om de vrijheid van kopie en concurrentie aan banden te leggen. En dan wordt het vaak stil.

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Understanding IP: the (very, very) basics (very, very briefly)

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Intellectual Property

Freedom to copy

Freedom to compete

Unfair competition

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Understanding IP: the (very, very) basics (very, very briefly)

Crowell & Moring LLP | 3

Patents (power generator)

Trademarks (ECHO)

Designs (stage)

Database rights / software

Trade secrets

Confidential information

Website domains

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Understanding IP: the (very, very) basics (very, very briefly)

Crowell & Moring LLP | 4

Patents (power generator)

Trademarks (ECHO)

Designs (stage)

Database rights / sofftware

Trade secrets

Confidential information

Website domains

Conclusion: much more than patents

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The issue

Event sector = constant innovation and creativity

Result = loads of know-how, experience, expertise and innovative applications of useful and on occasion revolutionary ideas…

Value as such? Marginal

How do you share?
How do you act against copy-cat?
How do you obtain/keep exclusivity?

Turn ‘air’ into an (intangible) asset, via IP

Crowell & Moring LLP | 5

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Why it matters

IP increases the value of your company => investors, banks, buyers, etc.

IP generates tax benefits

IP can be sold or licensed (exclusively or not) against payment

IP can be enforced against third parties (competition, counterfeiters, etc.)

IP can even be enforced against (ex-)employees

IP can even be a defense when attacked by a third party

Prerequisite: you must have IP

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Possible solutions

Change your thinking as well as how you see your business
Some examples

Bible for executing a mass team building 🡪 copyright, maybe trade secrets
Mobile app for a conference 🡪 copyright (maybe patents)
Development of new lighting installation venue 🡪 copyright, design, trade secrets…
Price lists from suppliers 🡪 confidential information or trade secrets or database rights
Goodie bag + content 🡪 designs or patents

Crowell & Moring LLP | 7

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Possible solutions

Change your thinking as well as how you see your business

Put things on paper… beforehand
Some examples

What can a client do with your IP?
Who owns IP if you co-develop with third party?
Who owns IP if you work with employees, freelancers, consultants,…?
Check availability and register your rights
Agree on confidentiality, non-compete, non-poach, …
Onboarding and offboarding policies

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Possible solutions

Change your thinking as well as how you see your business

Put things on paper… beforehand

K.I.S.S. = ?

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Possible solutions

Change your thinking as well as how you see your business

Put things on paper… beforehand

K.I.S.S. = not

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Possible solutions

Change your thinking as well as how you see your business

Put things on paper… beforehand

K.I.S.S. =

Crowell & Moring LLP | 11

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Possible solutions

Change your thinking as well as how you see your business

Put things on paper… beforehand

K.I.S.S. =

Some examples:

Good clause in collaboration or employment agreement
Chain of title and IP admin ‘housekeeping’
Simple internal protocols (HR, date stamp, confidential stamp, …)
Standard terms & conditions should remain standard
Reasonable information security efforts

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Conclusion

It’s already there

Get to work

When in doubt, ask an expert

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Let’s stay in touch

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Jan-Diederik Lindemans

Partner

Intellectual Property

jlindemans@crowell.com

Brussels

+32.2.282.1832

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Thank you

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Attorney advertising. The contents of this briefing are not intended to serve as legal advice related to any individual situation. This material is made available by Crowell & Moring LLP for information purposes only.

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