Retaining Your Intellectual Property Rights

Collaboration by companies in the development of new platforms, products and technologies is more common than ever. In today’s interconnected, inter-related and inter-dependent technological ecosystems, it is not a realistic to lock your IP up in a safe and never license, share or disclose it. For start-ups and SMEs, IP may be a bargaining chip (in lieu of cash) to entice more established industry players to collaborate. While no one ever intends to lose their hard earned technology, there is a risk in any collaboration that participants lose control of their IP, tie their IP up in contractual arrangements that restrict future business opportunities, or contaminate their IP with unlicensed contributions.