~UCF Business Incubation Program Events

Lowndes, Drosdick, Doster, Kantor & Reed, P.A., Attorneys At Law

Present

AVOIDING COMMON PATENT PITFALLS

Date: March 26, 2009
Time: 3-5pm
Fee: $20 (No charge to Incubator clients)
Location: 12565 Research Pkwy, HR Suite 360,
Training room #123, Orlando, FL., 32826

Please RSVP to Renee Ayala at 407-882-0202 or by email at rayala@mail.ucf.edu

Presenters: Thomas C. McThenia, Jr., Dr. Jacqueline E. Hartt, Angela M. Miller

I. Introduction - Background/Definitions (brief)

II. Most Common Patent Pitfalls

a.Inventorship
b.Early Disclosure
c.Patentability
d.Ownership
e.Infringement


III.Questions and Answers

Given the state of the economy, many entities have scaled back financially. Such cost-cutting measures include reduction in bonuses, salaries and, most notably, staff. Another method in which entities are scaling back is with respect to legal fees, especially with respect to Intellectual Property.

It is tempting for companies, especially start-ups with limited financial resources, to spend money in areas that produce immediate results, such as inventory and marketing, and delay seeking protection for its Intellectual Property. Often a company will test the market to determine if the product will be viable and lucrative prior to seeking protection for the product. However, such strategy may have costly repercussions that could lose the company some or all of its Intellectual Property rights.

In order to save on legal fees, another tactic companies will often use is preparing Intellectual Property documents without the assistance of legal counsel. Although such documents may initially save on legal fees, more often than not, the documents will not adequately protect the company and its Intellectual Property. In the event of litigation, such documents can be difficult to enforce and can reduce the value of the company and can again lead to loss of Intellectual Property rights.

This seminar will discuss why protecting Intellectual Property at the outset is critical to the financial success of a company, and how to avoid making the most common, and potentially costly, mistakes.