Patents, design patents, trademarks and copyright represent different forms of IP that can be used as part of an overall business strategy in blocking competitors, enhancing marketing activities, and protecting a business. But they can also enhance potential strategic partnership opportunities, be tangible assets for financing, and support acquisition and exit strategies. In this session each of these different forms of IP will be reviewed as to what can or cannot be protected, when should they be filed, how they can support your commercial activities, and the rights they grant as well as how a strategy can exploit programs for accelerated processing to obtain them as rapidly as possible or exploit the appropriate laws and international treaties to delay costs as far as possible without losing rights. Questions and discussion are encouraged to ensure all your queries are addressed as far as possible.

Speaker Bio:  Adrian O’Donnell, Perley-Robertson, Hill & McDougall LLP/s.r.l.

Adrian brings a unique combination of intellectual property (IP) knowledge, high technology expertise and industrial to bear in identifying IP assets as well as defining and enacting an IP strategy.

With over 20 years in industry Adrian has worked as researcher, manager, CTO, VP Sales & Marketing, CEO and President and understands the issues facing you as entrepreneur, founder, and business executive from direct first-hand experience. Adrian founded a high technology manufacturing company as well as having worked in and with other start-ups and fledgling enterprises. Adrian leverages his experience to support across wide range of technologies and markets from telecommunications, electronics, photonics, and information technology through power and mechanical engineering to consumer products.

Believing in a proactive strategy for IP, Adrian starts with direct engagement with key managerial and technical personnel (frequently the same person) to identify new IP, assessing potential risks, and establish an IP strategy that balances the conflicting goals of securing early broad protection for technology and products whilst minimizing costs.