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Best Practices, Productivity Tools Are Key to Higher Patent Returns
Today's innovation and brand-driven companies are well aware of the importance of intellectual assets ('IAs'). Few CEOs would deny the fact that a significant portion of their company's value is derived from intellectual property, especially patents. However, IAs represent a challenge for many corporate managers seeking to realize value in a world historically tied to 'hard asset' financial measures. Not only do most operating managers lack experience in systematic management of intellectual assets, but also they lack the necessary tools ' such as agreed-upon accounting methods and standardized financial reporting for such assets. Not to mention the fact that most companies also lack even the most basic information systems needed to manage how intellectual assets are created, managed, and exploited.
The challenge is made more daunting by the lack of objectivity in identifying, defining, and measuring R&D-generated, patent-related intellectual assets. Management struggles to find actionable directives that will drive bottom line value. With no clear benefit in the form of increased earnings or a higher market valuation in sight, the cost of assigning valuable (and expensive) managers to the task of 'managing knowledge' becomes a dubious and unlikely priority. Not surprisingly, most businesses continue to operate within the status quo.
But where some businesses experience frustration, others see opportunity. While many intellectual asset management ('IAM') practices provide less direct 'bottom line' impact, there is a wealth of opportunity for more traditionally recognized financial gains. In particular, intellectual property ('IP') intensive businesses ' such as technology companies with patents or market differentiated brands ' can use their substantial portfolios as a practical, high-payoff starting point for IAM.
Major Differences In UK, U.S. Copyright Laws
This article highlights how copyright law in the United Kingdom differs from U.S. copyright law, and points out differences that may be crucial to entertainment and media businesses familiar with U.S law that are interested in operating in the United Kingdom or under UK law. The article also briefly addresses contrasts in UK and U.S. trademark law.
The Article 8 Opt In
The Article 8 opt-in election adds an additional layer of complexity to the already labyrinthine rules governing perfection of security interests under the UCC. A lender that is unaware of the nuances created by the opt in (may find its security interest vulnerable to being primed by another party that has taken steps to perfect in a superior manner under the circumstances.
Strategy vs. Tactics: Two Sides of a Difficult Coin
With each successive large-scale cyber attack, it is slowly becoming clear that ransomware attacks are targeting the critical infrastructure of the most powerful country on the planet. Understanding the strategy, and tactics of our opponents, as well as the strategy and the tactics we implement as a response are vital to victory.
Legal Possession: What Does It Mean?
Possession of real property is a matter of physical fact. Having the right or legal entitlement to possession is not "possession," possession is "the fact of having or holding property in one's power." That power means having physical dominion and control over the property.
The Anti-Assignment Override Provisions
UCC Sections 9406(d) and 9408(a) are one of the most powerful, yet least understood, sections of the Uniform Commercial Code. On their face, they appear to override anti-assignment provisions in agreements that would limit the grant of a security interest. But do these sections really work?