tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7058786915356669476.post2949819568762284465..comments2024-03-27T08:57:40.383+00:00Comments on SOLO IP <br> for sole and small IP practices<br>: Tell Me Your Invention! When clients are reticent to reveal all ...Filemothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15735898485265104580noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7058786915356669476.post-30778103660918420042015-02-26T14:29:24.752+00:002015-02-26T14:29:24.752+00:00Hi Monica - That's why it's so important f...Hi Monica - That's why it's so important for an entrepreneur to be able to mention that they have a patent application already on file. Usually it is also possible for an entrepreneur to make a judgement call as to whether this particular target has the ability to appropriate the idea to itself. I've never known a finance guy that could but if you are talking to a technical expert in the field then only the merest suggestion may be enough for him to have a Eureka moment and see how he could do it too. That's why it's always so hard to sell an idea into a company that is already in the relevant field. They really do not like the chilling effect of an NDA on their freedomFilemothttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15735898485265104580noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7058786915356669476.post-70676347159203320682015-02-26T14:24:51.394+00:002015-02-26T14:24:51.394+00:00One of the biggest difficulties for entrepreneurs ...One of the biggest difficulties for entrepreneurs who are pitching to several separate prospective investors/ clients is divulging enough information for them to be able to understand the idea without giving them enough information to run off with your intellectual property and create the product/ service. Monicahttp://onestopip.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7058786915356669476.post-11506622880366045292015-02-09T16:06:08.722+00:002015-02-09T16:06:08.722+00:00Good point about the NDA Barbara. I may raise that...Good point about the NDA Barbara. I may raise that next time I encounter this. And I have informed clients that they are doing the right thing by maintaining secrecy, but that we can't really usefully proceed until they're willing to divulge at least some information about their invention.<br /><br />Regarding the advertisement of CIPA membership, I can say that our firm does mention its CIPA membership on a general 'Memberships & Accreditations' page of our website. We've had some clients tell us (now that I've got into the habit of asking them where they first heard of us!) that they found us by searching for 'Bristol' in the Directory of Patent Attorneys maintained on the CIPA website. Although I suppose they would have found us via that regardless of whether or not we advertised our membership.SGhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14533346450129049222noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7058786915356669476.post-31232378632555148642015-02-09T14:15:45.775+00:002015-02-09T14:15:45.775+00:00There would be no point in a patent agent signing ...There would be no point in a patent agent signing an NDA with his client as the sole purpose of the retainer is to disclose the invention on behalf of the client to the relevant patent office. I suspect that the caution of the inventors is because they are ringing round a number of patent agents and don't want to leave details of the invention with all of them. However, it seems to me a good sign rather than a cause for concern as it means that the inventor is aware of the need to retain secrecy until he has filed his patent application. However, until the inventor can trust his patent agent, there is no proper basis for a working relationship. <br />Incidentally, I wonder how many patent agents advertise that they are members of CIPA. The break code is probably more persuasiveFilemothttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15735898485265104580noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7058786915356669476.post-1178341917977193292015-02-09T13:02:59.032+00:002015-02-09T13:02:59.032+00:00It is extremely rare for me to sign a CDA, and I c...It is extremely rare for me to sign a CDA, and I can't recall doing so in a professional context. My response is that I am bound by strict rules of confidentiality as a solicitor and that it is not normal practice to sign a separate CDA.<br /><br />I was, however, asked to sign a CDA while on holiday in New Zealand recently. I was visiting a distant cousin who is the manager of the Weta Workshop in Wellington, which has won Oscars for its work in making monsters, clothing, equipment, swords, etc etc for films such as Lord of the Rings. We had a private tour of the workshop and spoke to swordmakers, seamstresses and others. Before being allowed into the workshop, it was their standard practice that I had to sign a CDA "to reassure [Weta's] clients". Amusing really. My eye noticed a tough looking indemnity clause but I couldn't be bothered to read it! I just signed.<br /><br />Markhttp://www.ipdraughts.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.com