Innovators' Day - Innovate, Protect & Prosper - 16 July 2014
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Transcript of Innovators' Day - Innovate, Protect & Prosper - 16 July 2014
Wednesday 16th July 2014
Welcome to:
Paul AttwoodChairman
COLLABORATE TO INNOVATEJONATHAN HAGUEVICE PRESIDENT OPEN INNOVATIONUNILEVER
International Festival of BusinessInnovators DayJuly 2014
AGENDA
About Unilever
Role of Innovation In Unilever
Open Innovation – Unilever’s model
In Summary
Handling IP
ABOUT UNILEVER
ABOUT UNILEVER
Unilever is one of the world’s leading suppliers of fast-moving consumer goods.
Our products are sold in over 190 countries and used by 2 billion consumers every day.
OUR COMPASS STRATEGY
Our vision is to double the size of the business, whilst reducing our environmental footprint and increasing our positive social impact.
FAST FACTS - 2013
€1 BILLION INVESTED IN R&D
WORLDWIDE
190COUNTRIES IN WHICH OUR PRODUCTSARE SOLD
TURNOVER OF €49.8
BILLION AT END OF 2013 EMPLOYEES
AT THE END OF THE YEAR
174,000
EMERGING MARKETS NOW REPRESENT
57% OF TURNOVER
THE UNILEVER SUSTAINABLE LIVING PLAN
We have long been working and reporting on our impact on society and the environment. Our Sustainable Living Plan brings together all this work and sets many new targets.
Our Sustainable Living Plan will result in three significant outcomes by 2020.
1. We will help more than 1 billion people take action to improve their health and well-being.
2. We will halve the environmental impact of the making and use of our products.
3. We will source 100% of agricultural raw materials sustainably.
HELP
1 BILLIONPEOPLE IMPROVE
THEIR HEALTH & WELL-BEING
HALVEENVIRONMENTALFOOTPRINT OFOUR PRODUCTS
SOURCE
100%OF
AGRICULTURALRAW MATERIALS
SUSTAINABLY
THE UNILEVER SUSTAINABLE LIVING PLAN
Greenhouse Gases
DISPOSAL
1%
DISTRIBUTION
/ RETAIL
2%
RAW MATERIALS
26%
CONSUMER USE
68%
MANUFACTURE
3%
Water use
WATER USED BY CONSUMERSIN WATER-SCARCE COUNTRIES
Waste
PRIMARY PACKAGING
54%
SECONDARY PACKAGING
13%
WATER WE ADD
TO THE PRODUCT1%
WATER USED IN SOURCING RAW MATERIALS
50% 49%
+ +
LEFTOVERS
34%
MATERIALS RECYCLED, REUSED OR RECOVEREDX%
-
SCALE AND GEOGRAPHICAL REACH
EUROPE
€20.1 billion turnover5.0% underlying volume growth40% of group turnover
ASIA, AFRICA, CENTRAL & EASTERN EUROPE
EUROPE
€13.5 billion turnover 0.4% underlying volume growth27% of group turnover
EUROPE
EUROPE
€16.2 billion turnover1.0% underlying volume growth 33% of group turnover
THE AMERICAS
CATEGORY HIGHLIGHTS IN 2013
Turnover: €8.9 billionUnderlying sales growth: 8.0%
Turnover: €13.4 billionUnderlying sales growth:
0.3%
Turnover: €18.1 billionUnderlying sales growth:
7.3%
Turnover: €9.4 billionUnderlying sales growth:
1.1%
PERSONAL CAREFOODS
REFRESHMENTHOME CARE
OUR €1 BILLION BRANDS
Home Care
Refreshment
Foods
Personal Care
14 Unilever brands have a turnover of €1 billion or more
UNRIVALLED MARKET POSITION INEMERGING MARKETS
ROLE OF INNOVATION IN UNILEVER
INNOVATION A KEY PIECE OF THE GROWTH STRATEGY
DRIVING INNOVATION AT SCALE IS NOW CRITICAL
2005 2013
5,000 600
Number of innovation projects
TURNOVER INNOVATED EACH YEAR
33%
NEW TECHNOLOGY IS DRIVING DIFFERENTIATION
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTYUNDERPINS INNOVATION
€1 BILLION INVESTED IN R&D WORLDWIDE
80%
1070DESIGN FAMILIESHELDPATENT
FAMILIES2805AT END OF 2013
NEW FILINGS PER YEAR
250 - 350
REGISTEREDPATENTS
22,000
OF DISCOVER PORTOLIODEPENDS ON PARTNERSHIP
OPEN INNOVATION IN UNILEVER
OPEN INNOVATION TEAM MANDATE
Strategic Science Group
CategoriesHC, PC, Foods, Refreshments
Program OwnersOwn OI
Open InnovationCFCDrives capabilities
Scouting
Deal Architecture
Cross Unilever Strategic Partnerships
IP Agreements Processes and IT
TrainingNew Capabilities – Devices, Social Business
Innovation
OPEN INNOVATION PROCESS
ManageManage delivery via the relationship.
WantDefining the targets.Which capabilities do we need to deliver the innovations ?
FindIdeas and wants Management in relation to defined needsScouting for capability providers
GetDefine business goals of alliance and likely alliance type. Approach & build deal quickly or separate
Unilever’s basicframework is externally Recognised
In place since 2007
Refined for our needs
OPEN INNOVATION IMPACT
2009 2010 2011 2012 20130
20
40
60
80
100
% Program deliverables dependent on open innovation
Source – DMUU Snapshots
We are OI enabled now55% of INNOVATION pipeline value is from Open Innovation
OI Enabled55%
No OI45%
iTO growth (2015-2018) reliant on OI(risk adjusted)
OPEN INNOVATION ALLIANCE STRATEGY
Our HUBS
PORTS in Hotspots
Core Ecosystem
Science Grid around our
Hubs
Partner to Win
Partners
Wider world of science and technology
Global Scouting Partners
Collaborate To Innovate Portal
Colworth House
Shanghai
Bangalore
Trumbull
Vlaardingen
Port Sunlight
PARTNER TO WINCO CREATING WITH SUPPLIERS
Targeted Encapsulation
Unilever IP on fabric molecular surface
recognition
Partner IP on Fragrance
CapsulesFragrance Design
Winning high performing fragrance
encapsulates
HANDLING IP IN STRATEGIC SUPPLIER ALLIANCES
Framework agreements, Progressive business conducive approach
Flexibility on Ownership of IPIP Ownership Split according to who can
best maximise protectionBoth Parties Retain Ability to Exploit IP if Project Terminated
Joint Innovation and Patenting Activity with Strategic Suppliers to maximise value to both parties
SCIENCE GRID – BUILDING FUTURE CAPABILITIES IN PARTNERSHIP
£16 million investment
over 10 years (£ 4M
Unilever)2007 2013 2015
Microbiorefinery
£ 2.83 Million awarded by UK
RGFOpen
Materials Innovation
Factory£65 M New Build
£ 11 Million awarded by
HEFCE to LiverpoolRadiotracer
Laboratory
Specialist unique facility
transferred into Liverpool
Open to public research also
iHT formulation Centre
Liverpool Science Park
Underway
£ 1.7 Min awarded by RGF
2014 2016
THE MATERIALS INNOVATION FACTORYNEXT GENERATION OF HIGH THROUGHPUT MATERIALS
DISCOVERY FORMULATION CHARACTERISATION AND
ANALYTICAL SCIENCE
WHY SO INTENSE WITH LIVERPOOL ?PROXIMITY MATTERS
T.J. AllenManaging the Flow of Technology (1977)
“We do not keep separate sets of people, some of which we communicate in one medium and some by another. The more often we see someone face-to-face, the more likely it is that we will telephone the person or communicate in some other medium”.
Allen & Henn (2006)
Right Space + Distinctive Equipment + Skilled People
PROXIMITY MATTERSBY 2016 UP TO 250 UNILEVER PEOPLEWILL WORK IN UOL EVERY DAY
Port Sunlight
Materials InnovationFactory
SAME FACILITIES – DIFFERENT OUTCOMESNO IP CONFLICT !
Impacts - Unilever
10 x Speed of DiscoverySupporting large R&D pipeline value across six categories
Impacts – Liverpool
Built Liverpool’s Research prowess
Porous organic materials. From concept (2008) to leading world position (2011) in less than 3 years , 20 publications
Not possible with standard approach
PORTS – HARNESSING HOTSPOTSBOSTON
Leading Edge Academic and Vibrant SME community spear headed
by MIT and Harvard
( MIT alumni creates the11th largest economy in the world)
Robust Financial Investment with Over 100 VCs and Top Five NIH Funds;
Gravitation Center for Pharmaceutical and Health Care IndustriesA Major Hub for Manufacturing and Defense Researches
PORTS - NEGOTIATING WITH START UPS AND SME’S – SPECIAL SKILL AND PATIENCE
Area Unilever SME
IP Ownership
Split – Own arising IP we pay for
Own it ALL
Processes Deep, lengthy, onerous
FEW, nimble
Culture Cautious, € Billion brands at stake
Daring – Returns to make, ideals to achieve
Tech Valuation
Realistic in context of market
Mostly unrealistic and overpriced
Motives Long term, sustainable innovation
Quick win / exit
Exclusivity Desired / Demanded
Keep Options Open
COLLABORATE TO INNOVATE PORTAL> 2000 SUBMISSIONS SINCE LAUNCH
UNILEVER MARKETING FOLLOWINGTHE LEAD WITH A VIRTUAL COLLABORATION TOOL
MAJOR “WANTS” - EXAMPLES
Category Want
Foods Clean label in Foods – preservation and manufacture without chemistry
Next gen foods processing - Elimination of all foods waste and using all foods components
Refreshments
Routes to > 70% energy reduction in Ice Cream cold chain
Low fat zero cal great tasting ice cream / ice cream from beyond diary without taste / sensory compromise
Dramatic increase in tea yield from tea process without taste compromise
Homecare 50% improvement in water reuse / reduction in Laundry
Superior cleaning of tough stains at low temperature
Zero chemical / zero VOC air purification and freshness
Personal Care
50% improvement in water reuse / reduction in bathing
Hair transformation (straightening) technologies with benign chemistry
New Technologies for deep dermal / follicular delivery
Premium / high performance products for PC – holistic beyond just premium packaging
COLLABORATE TO INNOVATE PORTALTHE LEGAL BIT
IN SUMMARY
IN SUMMARY
Innovation crucial to delivery of growth, profitability and the sustainable living plan
IP Underpins differentiation and is the currency of open innovation
Open innovation is embedding in the company – much IP is co-created or accessed rather than owned
We have learned flexibility. Different partner strategies require different tailored approaches to IP management
THANK YOU
Intellectual Property
Chris Smith
Business Outreach & Education
Help and Advice on IP
=
http://www.ipo.gov.uk/ip4b
IP Baseline Survey
96% of UK businesses do not know the value of their Intellectual Property Rights
Only 11% of UK businesses know that disclosure of an invention before filing will invalidate a patent.
74% of UK businesses could not correctly identify the owner of copyright when using a subcontractor
Only 4% of UK businesses have an Intellectual Property policy
What is intellectual property?
Intellectual Property
Patents
Trade
marks
Registered designs
CopyrightConfidentiality
Trade Secrets
Plant Varieties
Intellectual Property
Patents
Trade
marks
Registered designs
CopyrightConfidentiality
Trade Secrets
Plant Varieties
Trade marks
What is a Registered Trade Mark?
Any sign which is capable of being represented graphically
Any sign which is capable of distinguishing the goods or services
of one undertaking from another
“A Badge of Origin”
Domain names
Trade Mark registration is not company name or domain name registration
A domain name may beregistered as a Trade Mark
Incorporating another’s RTM into your domain name or meta-tag may be an infringement
UK Applications
Fees:
Application fees: £170 – Includes one ClassAdditional Classes £50 each (up to 45 Classes)
Timeline:
Examination within 2 months of filingRegistration (unopposed) in 5 months
Trade Mark Registration Overseas
Paris Convention - six months priority
OHIM – Community Trade Mark
e-filing fee €900
WIPO - Madrid Protocol
Intellectual Property
Patents
Trade
marks
Registered designs
CopyrightConfidentiality
Trade Secrets
Plant Varieties
Copyright
1.Literary Works – All works expressed in print or writing
2.Dramatic Works – A work capable of being performed
3.Musical Works – includes melody, harmony and rhythm
4.Artistic Works – A work of artistic craftsmanship (not quality)
Copyright
5.Films – Moving images produced by any means
6.Sound Recordings – From which sounds can be reproduced
8.Published Editions – typographical arrangements
7.Broadcasts – transmission of visual images, sounds or other
Who owns Copyright?
Usually the first creator or author...
…or their employer if produced in theordinary course of their employment
However, a contractor will retain ownershipunless their contract is explicit to the contrary
Even if the creator sells their rights, they have‘moral rights’ over how their work is used
Intellectual Property
Patents
Trade
marks
Registered designs
CopyrightConfidentiality
Trade Secrets
Plant Varieties
Registered designs
Registered Designs
Protects shape or configuration (3-D)and/or pattern or ornamentation (2-D)
No protection for function, materialsor technology of manufacture
No protection when form is dictatedby function (ie: no design freedom)
Multiple Applications
£60 for first design (£40 application + £20 publication)
£40 for subsequent designs (£20 application + £20 publication
Renewal fees every 5 yearsMaximum term 25 years
Intellectual Property
Patents
Trade
marks
Registered designs
CopyrightConfidentiality
Trade Secrets
Plant Varieties
Patents
Criteria for ‘patentability’
Patents are for “technological innovation”, though the Patents Act 1977 fails to define the word “invention”
Inventions must be new - not known anywhere in the world prior to the filing date
Inventions must have an ‘inventive step’ - not obvious, a simple adaptation or combination
Inventions must be industrially applicable and have a ‘technical effect’
Patent fees
Application fee – £30 or £20 (Electronic filing)
Search Fee - £150 or £130 (Electronic filing)
Examination fee - £100 or £80 (Electronic filing)
Renewals 5th Year - £70
10th Year - £17020th Year - £600
www.ipo.gov.uk - 0300 300 [email protected]
“Innovation in Practice”Clemens Wangerin
Chief Operating OfficerStarship
INNOVATOR’S DAY 2014Case Study: Innovation in Practice
Clemens WangerinChief Operating Officer
The Starship logo is a registered trademark of Starship (UK) Limited.
Introducing Starship
• A Digital Entertainment & Technology company developing and publishing wholly-owned, original IP
• Founded in 2013 by Martin Kenwright, previously CEO and founder of Digital Image Design (1989 - 1999) and Evolution Studios (1999 – 2007)
• Award-winning core team with collective experience in multiple sectors and over 69 entertainment product releases with multi-million £ in retail software sales
• Based in the Baltic Triangle, Liverpool
Winner Racing Game of the Year: Motorstorm
Milia d’OrNomination Best Sports Game:
Motorstorm
AWARDS
Winner Best Handheld Developer: Studio Liverpool / Wipeout Pure
Best Action Game: Wargasm
Starship (UK) Ltd – Innovator’s Day 2014 – Case Study: Innovation in Practice – 16 th July 2014
What is Innovation?
“The process of translating an
idea or invention into a good or
service that creates value for
which customers will pay.”
Source: Businessdictionary.com
Starship (UK) Ltd – Innovator’s Day 2014 – Case Study: Innovation in Practice – 16 th July 2014
Types of Innovation
• Little innovation (little i)Evolutionary, continuous, dynamic changes through incremental advances in technology
• Big Innovation (Big I)Revolutionary changes which are often disruptive and new
Starship (UK) Ltd – Innovator’s Day 2014 – Case Study: Innovation in Practice – 16 th July 2014
The Key Components
INNOVATION
AUDIENCE
TIMING
RELEVANCEThemes, settings or functionality relevantto the intended audience
A tightly defined demographic of appropriate size
Market introduction at best possible time
Starship (UK) Ltd – Innovator’s Day 2014 – Case Study: Innovation in Practice – 16 th July 2014
Innovation in Practice
Starship (UK) Ltd – Innovator’s Day 2014 – Case Study: Innovation in Practice – 16 th July 2014
Forget Me Not is a registered UK and EU trademark of Starship (UK) Ltd. Patent pending.
®
The Market
Over 200 specialist magazines
16.2m cookery/food/drinks books were bought for
£128m in 2011
Popular TV shows with millions of viewers
24/7 TV Channels
2,199 apps with ‘cooking’ in the title
Starship (UK) Ltd – Innovator’s Day 2014 – Case Study: Innovation in Practice – 16 th July 2014
Market Disruption
CyberCook aims to unite the entire cooking sector with the first truly interactive cookery platform.
Cook Books(19th
Century)
TV / Multi Media(20th
Century)
Entire Cooking Sector (Retail, Celebrity Chefs, Consumer Brands, White Goods,
etc.)
CyberCook Platform
(21st Century)
Starship (UK) Ltd – Innovator’s Day 2014 – Case Study: Innovation in Practice – 16 th July 2014
The Product
Starship (UK) Ltd – Innovator’s Day 2014 – Case Study: Innovation in Practice – 16 th July 2014
Work In Progress Work In Progress
Work In Progress
CyberCook: the next-gen eco-system for cookeryFeaturing the world’s first hyper-realistic and time sensitive
cooking simulationWork In Progress
© Starship (UK) Ltd 2014. Do not distribute. © Starship (UK) Ltd 2014. Do not distribute.
© Starship (UK) Ltd 2014. Do not distribute.
The journey has begun …
… join us.www.starship-group.com
Inviting world-class partners who can add value and share our vision
Clemens WangerinChief Operating Officer
The Starship logo is a registered trademark of Starship (UK) Limited.
Introducing Starship
• A Digital Entertainment & Technology company developing and publishing wholly-owned, original IP
• Founded in 2013 by Martin Kenwright, previously CEO and founder of Digital Image Design (1989 - 1999) and Evolution Studios (1999 – 2007)
• Award-winning core team with collective experience in multiple sectors and over 69 entertainment product releases with multi-million £ in retail software sales
• Based in the Baltic Triangle, Liverpool
Winner Racing Game of the Year: Motorstorm
Milia d’OrNomination Best Sports Game:
Motorstorm
AWARDS
Winner Best Handheld Developer: Studio Liverpool / Wipeout Pure
Best Action Game: Wargasm
Starship (UK) Ltd – Innovator’s Day 2014 – Case Study: Innovation in Practice – 16 th July 2014
To patent or not to patent
Robin Bartle Chartered and European Patent [email protected]
79
80
81
82
83
84
Questions
www.bartleread.comThese are presentation slides only and neither the information contained in these slides nor the presentation constitute legal advice.
© 2014 Bartle Read Limited
??
www.forresters.co.uk
Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys
“A Midsummer Night’s Nightmare”Ross Walker
www.forresters.co.uk
Introduction
• Inventorship/Ownership– If it all goes wrong; it’s a nightmare!!
• Inventorship– Ownership flows from Inventorship
• Ownership– Employee/Employer relationship– Contractual agreements e.g. Universities and
Consultants
• Challenging ownership!
www.forresters.co.uk
Inventorship
www.forresters.co.uk
Inventorship
• Who is the inventor?
– “the actual devisor of the invention”
– Can be more than one inventor• Teams of people contributing to an invention
– Imperative that you get it right!
www.forresters.co.uk
Inventorship
• Who is the “actual deviser” of the invention?
• IDA Ltd & Others vs. The University of Southampton– [EWCA] Civ 145
www.forresters.co.uk
Inventorship
The facts:
“Unveiled: cockroach trap to beat the world”
“The creatures are lured onto the bridge of the wooden box by a bait. When their feet alight on the electrostatic talcum powder with which it is dusted they slip onto a fly paper and meet their end”
Source : THE TIMES
www.forresters.co.uk
Inventorship
• The facts:– Mr X at IDA saw the article– Called the Professor behind the “electrostatic trap”
• Mr X specialist in magnetic powders realised that:– Electrostatically charged powders lose charge over
time• especially in humid conditions
– Wondered whether magnetic powders would work instead
– Magnetic powders not lose their “stickiness”
www.forresters.co.uk
Inventorship
• The facts (cont.):
– The University tried the idea i.e. “verified it”– It worked!– They filed a patent with no reference to Mr X or IDA
• The Court of Appeal:
– Identify the “heart” of the invention– Mr X come up with the use of magnetic powders– The University had merely verified the idea through
routine experimentation
www.forresters.co.uk
Inventorship
Conclusion
• Identify heart of the invention• Could be the person who came up with the idea• If additional work is required to practice invention,
then other parties could be entitled to be named as inventor
“Those who contribute enough information by way of necessary enablement to make the idea patentable would count as “actual devisors”, having turned what was “airy-fairy” into that which is practical”
www.forresters.co.uk
Ownership
www.forresters.co.uk
Ownership: employee/employer relationship
Dictated by statute - two scenarios
• Scenario 1– Invention was made in the course of normal duties or
specifically assigned duties; and– Reasonably expect the invention to arise from those
duties– Enquiry is started with reference to the contract
• Scenario 2– Senior management – Employee has a special obligation to further
employer’s interests
www.forresters.co.uk
Ownership: employee/employer relationship
• Top tip!– Keep records: list duties– Keep the records updated
• You cannot circumvent the statute by contract– Employee’s rights cannot be diminished!
• Employee compensation– If invention of “outstanding benefit”– The employee can claim compensation– Latest you can apply is one year after patent has
ceased
www.forresters.co.uk
Ownership: By way of agreement
• Non-employee/employer relations e.g.– Universities– Collaborating consultants
• Agreement must be in force on making the invention
• Top tips!– Make sure agreement deals with IP ownership!– Make sure confidentiality dealt with as well!
www.forresters.co.uk
Challenging ownership!
www.forresters.co.uk
Challenging ownership
• What?– UK and Foreign patent applications
• Up to foreign courts to enforce– Granted UK Patents
• When?– Applications: anytime– Patents
• Two years after grant unless the owner knew!
• Where?– The Comptroller
www.forresters.co.uk
Challenging ownership
• The case– The onus is on applicant to prove they are a deviser
• Remedies– The Comptroller has widest possible discretion
• Add as owner: sole or joint• Grant licence• Refile
All’s well that starts well
Leslie Prichard
Patent Attorney
WP Thompson
Overview
• How to tell you have an invention• Getting the ball rolling: preparing and filing
the application• Overview of the patent application process• Overseas protection: when, where, how,
why!
How to tell you have an invention?
• Don’t dismiss too lightly• Different from what’s already known
• Novelty – the bare minimum
• Does it do something that related products (past or present) are not able to do?
How to tell you have an invention?
• Compared to what’s already described:• Less expensive• More efficient• In fewer steps or fewer components/smaller
amounts• With less user effort (e.g. it is easier for the
customer to use)?
How to tell you have an invention?
• Compared to what’s already described (cont’d):• … gives better performance• … gives better accuracy• … exhibits better reproducibility• … produces less waste/more environmentally
friendly• … is faster (e.g. a faster curing adhesive) or slower
(an adhesive with more open time)?
How to tell you have an invention?
• Does it solve a problem?• Is there technical literature that suggests that
what you tried should have failed?• Are your co-workers surprised that the product
works?• Would it give you a competitive advantage?
If the answer to any of these questions is “YES” … you should consult a patent attorney
Getting the ball rolling…
• So that your patent attorney can either assess the idea for patentability and/or draft a patent application to maximise the scope of protection … it is really worthwhile documenting your invention correctly
• if possible … capture your invention in a document that highlights five themes
• This will help your patent attorney to understand the invention and to grasp the differences between your invention and what is already known
Documenting the invention
• 1. An overview of the invention and how it works• What is the actual invention?• Is it an article, a chemical composition, a new method of
doing something?• How did you make it or do it?• How did you test it to show that it solves the problem?
• (Ideally 2 or 3 concise sentences that describe and point out the novel features of the invention)
Documenting the invention
• 2. Background or “setting the stage”
• What is the technical problem which has been solved?• How have others tried to solve this problem in the past?• What was wrong with their solutions?
• (Summarise any background information related to the business and technical aspects of the invention)
Documenting the invention
• 3. Explanation of the business impact
• What is the business opportunity (£££)?• Increase sales?• Protect current business?• Why do need to obtain a patent?
Documenting the invention
• 4. Assessment of the state of the art
• Description of today’s solution to the problem – products, journals, websites
• What patents are there today?• Searches: esp@cenet or more in-depth studies?
• (Identify the prior art by listing document numbers and titles and a short factual statement about what they disclose)
Documenting the invention
• 5. Detailed Description of the Invention• Data• Tables• Figures• Graphs• Photographs
• (A description of your apparatus or method. Document the details of the experiments which illustrate the examples of the invention. Include figures, photos, tables, graphs, test methods, materials, etc.)
The application process
• Once the draft application has been reviewed and
approved, it can be filed at the UK IPO• Deadlines!• Clock ticking!
FILE APPLICATION
THEPRIORITY
YEARSEARCHES EXAMINATION
GRANT
The application process
• Sensible to request at the outset• UK IPO or EPO official search• Review at this stage• May prompt re-think or abandonment
FILE APPLICATION
THEPRIORITY
YEARSEARCHES EXAMINATION
GRANT
The application process
• Before the filing anniversary (the “priority year”)…o Can expand disclosure (but …)o Not later – added matter ruleo Foreign filingso International (PCT) applications
FILE APPLICATION
THEPRIORITY
YEARSEARCHES EXAMINATION
GRANT
The application process
• UK IPO’s assessment: patentable?• Amend and argue (feedback from you)• Different offices, different problems• Numerous examination reports
FILE APPLICATION
THEPRIORITY
YEARSEARCHES EXAMINATION
GRANT
The application process
• Renewal fees payable after grant
FILE APPLICATION
THEPRIORITY
YEARSEARCHES EXAMINATION
GRANT
Seeking foreign patent protection
• Most (but not all) industrialised countries are party to an international convention (“the Paris Convention”) enabling you to file patent applications in those countries within one year of the filing date of your United Kingdom application and thereby effectively backdate such applications to the filing date of the United Kingdom application
• Generally speaking, you will have one year from the filing of your United Kingdom application in which to file foreign applications
Foreign patent protection:separate applications in each country
• Foreign patent applications can be filed separately in each country where protection is desired
• Need to instruct local attorneys• Prosecution costs can be substantially greater than the
filing costs!• Issue (registration) fees, and annual renewal fees are
payable in most countries to keep the patent protection in force
Foreign patent protection:International (PCT) application
• Proceeds as a single application which can be effective in a large number of PCT contracting states (currently 148)
• The main benefit obtained by PCT is that it effectively buys time to keep your options open for an extra 18 months
• An international (PCT) application does not proceed all the way to grant as a single application, but instead splits up into a series of separate patent applications in each designated patent office. Each application is then completely independent of the others and undergoes whatever search and examination procedures are usually followed in the relevant patent offices.
• This “split”, called “entry into the national phase”, takes place 30 months after the priority date of the application. The “priority date” is the earliest filing date claimed, usually the date of the UK application on which the international application is based
• Prosecution costs are same as for separate applications
Foreign patent protection:European patent application• If you wish to apply for patent protection in several European countries there is an
alternative to filing on a country-by-country basis• By virtue of the European Patent Convention (EPC) it is possible to file and prosecute
a single application at the European Patent Office (EPO) effective in as many as 41 European countries
• A European patent application proceeds as a single application until a European patent is granted, whereupon it splits into a “bundle” of separate, independent patents in each of the chosen countries
• All proceedings can be conducted in English until a patent is granted. At the grant stage, some countries require a translation of the patent specification to be filed in a national language for the patent to be effective
• If patent protection in several European countries is required, it is usually more cost-effective to file a European patent application rather than to file separate national patent applications
• The main disadvantage of a European patent application is that the applicant is “putting all of his eggs into one basket” – if the application is refused then it is refused for all countries
Questions?
Our Liverpool office is now located at:
1 Mann Island T +44 (0) 151 236 6688
Liverpool F +44 (0) 151 236 8155
L3 1BP E [email protected]
Steve KuncewiczHead of Intellectual Property
Bermans
Private & Confidential. Not for distribution.©DWF LLP 2012 www.dwf.co.uk 127
Private & Confidential. Not for distribution.©DWF LLP 2012 www.dwf.co.uk
Go further
Pirates, copycats, look-a-likes and counterfeiters - How to enforce against infringements
Name: Andrew McGregor
Solicitor – IP/Commercial Litigation
Date: 16 July 2014 Doc: 35772106
Private & Confidential. Not for distribution.©DWF LLP 2012 www.dwf.co.uk
Enforcement – Trade marks
Private & Confidential. Not for distribution.©DWF LLP 2012 www.dwf.co.uk
Enforcement – Trade marks
•Badge of origin
•Sign, word or logo
• A trade mark must be:
– distinctive
– not descriptive
– capable of graphical representation
– not customary in the trade
– not a shape resulting from the nature of the goods themselves
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Enforcement – Trade marks
•Registered trade marks:
– UK national trade mark
– Community trade mark
•Unregistered trade marks:
– Arise automatically provided you can demonstrate substantial use and goodwill in the mark
– Mark the sign “TM”
•Relevant legislation
– Trade Marks Act 1994 and Community Trade Mark Regulation
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Enforcement – Trade marks
•Nature of infringement
132
Are the marks the same/similar
Are the goods to which the marks relate the same/similar
Scope for infringement?
Same Same Yes
Similar Same Yes – provided there is scope for confusion
Same Similar Yes – provided there is cope for confusion
Similar Similar Yes – provided there is scope for confusion
Same/Similar Same/Similar/Dissimilar Yes – provided earlier mark has reputation, there is use without cause, and takes unfair advantage/detrimental to character of earlier mark
Private & Confidential. Not for distribution.©DWF LLP 2012 www.dwf.co.uk
Enforcement – Trade marks
What constitutes infringing use
•The use of the infringing mark is in the course of trade
•The use is in relation to goods and services
•There is no consent from the trade mark proprietor
•The use affects, or is likely to affect, the functions of the trade mark
Infringement by use of an identical mark for identical goods/services
•Are the marks in question identical visually, aurally and conceptually
•If not, does the use of the mark in question give rise to a likelihood of confusion
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Enforcement – Trade marks
Assessment of confusion
•There does not have to be evidence of confusion
•Likelihood of association
•Is there a distinctive reputation
•Overall assessment of the impression given by the marks
Reputation
• If unable to establish a likelihood of confusion, does the trade mark have a reputation in the UK and use of the mark in question, being without due cause, takes unfair advantage of, or is detrimental to, the distinctive character of the repute of the mark.
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Enforcement – Trade marks
Examples of infringement using the an identical mark
•Alternative ‘unofficial’ goods
•An unauthorised reference
•Counterfeiters
•The Internet
- Meta-tagging
- Keyword advertising
- Domain name ‘cyber-squatting’
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Enforcement – Trade marks
Examples of infringement using an identical/similar mark with similar/identical goods/services
•A direct competitor uses a sign similar to the established mark
•A non-competitor uses a sign which is the same as the established mark
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Enforcement – Trade marks
What can I do?
•Registration and renewals
•Consider registering domain names and keywords
• Actively monitor the market place
• Enforce your rights – beware of unjustified threats
• Develop clear strategies for brand and reputation management along with a clear enforcement policy
• Engage trade mark attorneys and solicitors
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Unjustified threats
• A threat which cannot be justified later at court - anything more than notification of the existence of a trade mark can form the basis of a threats action
• If such a threat causes loss, the person making the threat and their legal advisors may be liable
• A threats action can be brought by a third party (not just the recipient) if they are/or are likely to be adversely affected i.e. a customer
Enforcement – Trade marks
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How can I avoid infringement?
• Don’t use the same or similar marks to a competitor
• When choosing a name do an internet search of the proposed name to make sure no one else is using it
• Bear in mind that it is an infringement of a trade mark to use not only the same mark in relation to the same goods, but also a similar mark in relation to similar goods
• If you are serious about adopting a new mark, a trade mark agent can carry out a full search to identify any issues – speak to a solicitor or trade mark attorney
• Make a record of your pre-name selection process
Enforcement – Trade marks
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Our firm is driven by its core Values which focus on:
140
Values
Our Clients Our People Our Community Our Environment
DWF is the business law firm with industry insight.
Our legal experts combine real commercial understanding and deep sector knowledge to help clients anticipate issues, create opportunities and get the outcomes they need.
We’ll deliver the results that help you go in the right direction – wherever you are.
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Go further°
©DWF LLP 2012DWF LLP is a limited partnership registered in England and Wales with registered number OC328794. The content of the Regulatory and Licensing Insert does not constitute legal advice and should not be relied on as such. Specific advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.
Pirates, copycats, look-a-likes and counterfeiters – how to enforce against infringements
• Patents and Design Rights
Colin Bell, Brabners LLP
16 July 2014
Patent Example
Registered Design Right Example
Registered Design Right Example
Patent Pending - Notice
Patent Granted - Notice
Pirates, Copycats, Counterfeiters and Look-a-Likes
Pirates, Copycats, Counterfeiters and Look-a-Likes
Enforcement Strategy
Enforcement Strategy
– What are your triggers– Territory– Different infringers – pick your battles– Probability approach – chances of success– Financial impact– Different dispute routes
• Trading Standards• Regulatory Bodies• ASA• Police• FACT
Avoid Litigation
• Litigation
– Too expensive
– Too slow
– Too uncertain
– Too incomprehensible (especially legal speak in decisions)
– Too adversarial
Lord Chief Justice (Lord Woolf)
Strategy – Do Nothing
Strategy – Do Nothing (smiling)
Strategy – Get in touch
Instructing Solicitors
Strategy – Letter of Claim
Strategy - Settle
90% of all lawsuits are settled without trial
Strategy – Court Proceedings
Photograph by Mike Peel
Strategy – Court Proceedings - IPEC
• Streamlined IP litigation procedure• Intellectual Property Enterprise Court (IPEC)
– Written pleadings– Full but concise statements of case– Statement of Truth
• Procedure up to trial– 6-10 wks for defence– 2 wks for reply– CMC (limit disclosure, x-examination, experts)– 1-2 day trial
• Costs– Recovery limited – Overall and stage caps
• Damages– £500,000
Strategy – Court Proceedings
Experts
Litigation Strategy
• Litigation – Points to keep in mind– Commercial objective– Budget– Beware
• Dangerous litigants• New Law
– See it from the other side– Who has more to lose – what has the other side got to lose– How much money has the other side got– Preliminary Injunctions – act fast– Litigation / alternative dispute resolution (mediation / arbitration)
• Treat as contentious negotiations (a means of reaching a commercial objective) – not just about winning and losing – settlements may be a “successful outcome”
• Analyse Cost / Potential Benefit / Potential Loss / Strengths / Weaknesses / Likelihood of success or failure
Defences
• Entitlement• Invalidity
– Not New or Inventive (Patents)– Insufficiency and added matter (Patents– Not New or of Individual Character (Designs)– Must Fit or Must Match (Designs)
• Prior Rights and Prior Use• Non Infringement
– Doesn’t include a feature of the claims of the patent– Not substantially similar, gives a different overall impression (designs)– Not copied (unregistered designs)
• Consent• Exhaustion of Rights
Sanctions and Remedies
Sanctions and Remedies
Sanctions and Remedies
Trolls and Groundless Threats
Famous Patent Case Example Dyson v Hoover
Example Patent Case – Spare PartsShütz v Werit (Intermediate Bulk Containers)
Example Design Right Cases
Apple v Samsung
J Choo v Towerstone Ltd
Pirates, copycats, look-a-likes and counterfeiters – how to enforce against infringements
• Patents and Design Rights
Contact: Colin Bell
Commercial and Intellectual Property
Partner
Telephone: 0151 600 3281Email: [email protected] Website: brabners.com brand-protection.brabners.comTwitter: @BrabnersIPCom
Turning Innovation into a Commercial Success
MC Vanguard Corporate Finance - Value Building 176
Successful innovation within a business should be a source of:
• Greater profit• Increased capital value
But this doesn’t happen by accident
177
Sainsburys Microsoft Capita0.0%
20.0%
40.0%
60.0%
80.0%
100.0%
120.0%
ProfitVariable CostsFixed Costs
It’s Not What You Do … (Well Actually)
MC Vanguard Corporate Finance - Value Building
3 very different business models
178
Selected Profit Growth Strategies
MC Vanguard Corporate Finance - Value Building
Sainsburys:
• Grow volumes• Reduce operating costs• Innovation in format – smaller store• Data innovation – customer loyalty
Microsoft:
• Product innovation• Leadership in cloud based services
Capita:
• Target growth markets• Enhance & diversify services through acquisitions• Business format innovation
179
SME Examples
MC Vanguard Corporate Finance - Value Building
Printing Company - Terminate unprofitable customers
Engineering Company – Process innovation - 24 hour operation
Equipment Re-seller - Switch to higher margin manufacturer
Software Company - Acquire additional products within similar target market
Technology Installer – Grow recurring income
180
Profit Improvement Process
MC Vanguard Corporate Finance - Value Building
1. A clearly understood business model
2. Develop a structured plan to grow, based on the model
3. Management information, not just management accounts
181
The Business Model
MC Vanguard Corporate Finance - Value Building
Answers the question:
“How do we plan to make money?”
Sets out:
What do we sell? Who do we sell to? Why do they buy from us? How do we sell? What resources does the business need to make these sales?
182
Profit Improvement Plan
MC Vanguard Corporate Finance - Value Building
Answers the question:
“How do we make MORE money?”
Sets out:
How will we sell more to both existing and new customers? Where can we increase prices? How can we reduce resource costs? What can we stop doing?
Innovation should be a major part of the profit improvement plan
183
Management Information
MC Vanguard Corporate Finance - Value Building
Answers the question
“Are we delivering the plan ?”
• NOT JUST MANAGEMENT ACCOUNTS
• Measure what matters to the profit improvement plan
Some examples:
Gross profit by customers or contract Delivery cost by customer Enquiry conversion rates Sales cost per new enquiry Overtime costs
Do we understand where we make money and where we lose?
MC Vanguard Corporate Finance - Value Building 184
Sometimes less is more…
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 100
50
100
150
200
250
300
Profit
Customers
Sales
MC Vanguard Corporate Finance - Value Building 185
Growing Business Value
186
Growing Business Value
MC Vanguard Corporate Finance - Value Building
Price/Earnings Ratios
Sainsbury’s: 8 x Earnings
Microsoft: 16 x Earnings
Capita: 40 x Earnings
SME Trade Sale valuations are typically based on multiples of 3 to 8 times maintainable earnings.
The capital value of £100,000 growth in maintainable profits is £300,000 to £800,000 plus.
13/04/2023 MC Vanguard Corporate Financewww.mcvanguard.co.uk
187
Moving the Multiple – 12 Points that MatterFeature/Rating 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 10+
Dependency on Founder Owner Driven Business Non-Executive Owner
Management Gaps in team Full Team with Experience
Systems Weak or Informal Established & Robust
Customers Few & weak relationships Many Strong Relationships
Suppliers High Dependency Secure Supplies
Financial Information Volatile Results Improving Trend
Marketplace Mature & ‘Me Too’ Growth Market
Competition Many Strong Competitors Defendable Niche
Workforce High Turnover Key Staff tied in
Growth Future Growth Limited Exciting Growth Options
Intellectual Property No Defendable IP Established IP
Regulation Regulatory Threats Market driven by regulation
Dependence on Founder
Management
Client Base
Workforce
Suppliers
Financial Performance
Competition
Growth
IP
Regulation
0
5
10
MC Vanguard Corporate Finance - Value Building 188
Identifying Scope for Improvement
13/04/2023 MC Vanguard Corporate Financewww.mcvanguard.co.uk
189
Moving The Multiple - Examples
Quality of Earnings
Consistent Profits Upward Growth Trend
Intellectual Property
Technology Own Product Proven R&D Function
Customers
Get Contracts Signed Broaden the Base Develop Recurring Income Streams
13/04/2023MC Vanguard Corporate Finance
www.mcvanguard.co.uk 190
Which Features Matter Most in Your Business?Criteria Weighting Rating
Dependency on Founder
Management
Systems
Customers
Suppliers
Financial Information
Marketplace
Competition
Workforce
Growth
Intellectual Property
Regulation
Others
13/04/2023MC Vanguard Corporate Finance
www.mcvanguard.co.uk 191
Challenges:
1. Developing an intellectual property strategy that encompasses all types of IP
2. If left unprotected, a good invention or creation may be lost to larger competitors that are in a better position to commercialize the product or service at a more affordable price, leaving the original inventor or creator without any financial benefit or reward
3. Insufficient information on the relevance of IP in day-to-day business
4. High costs associated with obtaining and enforcing IP rights
5. Ensuring that the senior management team recognizes the importance of intellectual property protection
Key Success Steps:
1. Review the businesses intellectual property, such as patents, copyright, trademarks etc. on a regular basis
2. Maintain a high level of awareness of competitors, market and technology trends
3. Adequate protection of a company's intellectual property is a crucial step in deterring potential infringement and in turning ideas into business assets with a real market value
4. Taking full advantage of the IP system enables companies to profit from their innovative capacity and creativity, which encourages and helps fund further innovation.
5. Effective IP management enables companies to use their intellectual property assets to improve their competitiveness and strategic advantage, a company's portfolio of IP must be viewed as a collection of key assets that add significant value to the enterprise
Growth Areas: Intellectual Property (IP)
MC Vanguard Corporate Finance - Value Building 192
Business Exit Planning – Summary
• A Structured Approach to preparing the business for exit over several years
• Profit improvement plan is a key part• Growth in reported profits takes time • Work on the features that move the multiple
There is an alternative…..
MC Vanguard Corporate Finance - Value Building 194
THANK YOU FOR LISTENING
Research & Development Tax Credits & Patent Box
Innovators Day – 16 July 2014
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A Brief History:
Mitchell Charlesworth Chartered Accountants and Business Advisors has offices in Liverpool, Manchester, Warrington, Chester and Widnes. In 1885 Charles Hackett Mitchell commenced practice in Liverpool. He was joined in 1910 by Bernard Orton Bunting and the firm continued as Mitchell & Bunting for many years at 27 Lord Street, Liverpool. During the ensuing years there have been a number of mergers with other local firms and subsequent to one of those mergers in 1976 the name was changed to Mitchell Charlesworth. The firm is now one of the largest locally based practices of Chartered Accountants and Business Advisors in the North West with 16 partners and over 160 staff. In spite of the considerable growth of the firm over the years, we maintain a policy of personal service to clients and a genuine interest in their affairs.
Introduction
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Tax Team
Tax is one area of business management where only advice of the highest technical calibre is acceptable. Anything less and you risk damage to your reputation as well as losing out financially. Our tax team are experts in the field of personal and corporate tax. Their sole aim is to ensure our clients don't pay a penny more in tax than they need to.
Graeme Davies
Graeme has been providing taxation advice to companies, individuals and trusts for ten years. He has extensive experience in advising companies and stakeholders on many areas of tax including mitigating corporation tax liabilities through pre year end planning, corporate structuring issues, remuneration planning for employees and shareholders, general tax planning and exit and succession strategies for owner-managers.
Introduction (cont’d)
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Two main forms of tax relief for innovatorsResearch & Development Tax CreditsPatent Box
Politically popular tax reliefProposed, implemented and enhanced by successive governments
HMRC approachPatent Box – yet to be seenR&D – specialist office, pushing at an open door!
Tax relief for innovators
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SME or Large schemeSME scheme more generous
SME schemeLess than 500 employees, and eitherTurnover < €100m, orBalance sheet total < €86m
Large schemeEveryone else!
R&D tax credits
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SME scheme tax reliefAdditional 125% deduction for CT purposesLosses? 14.5% tax credit (up from 11%!)An additional source of funding?
Large schemeAdditional 30% deduction for CT purposes, or10% above the line tax creditLoss making companies take note!
R&D tax credits
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SME scheme tax relief – example 1SME co taxable profits £300,000Corporation tax liability - £60,000Qualifying R&D expenditure - £100,000Additional deduction (125%) - £125,000Corporation tax liability - £35,000Corporation tax saving - £25,000
R&D tax credits
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SME scheme tax relief – example 2SME co taxable profit - £50,000Corporation tax liability - £10,000Qualifying R&D expenditure - £100,000Additional deduction (125%) - £125,000Corporation tax liability - £0Corporation tax saving - £10,000
Tax creditCreated a loss of £75,000, eitherCarry forward to use against future taxable profits, orSurrender for a payment from HMRC of £10,875
R&D tax credits
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SME scheme tax relief – example 3SME co loss – (£100,000)Corporation tax liability - £0Qualifying R&D expenditure - £100,000Additional deduction (125%) - £125,000Corporation tax liability - £0Corporation tax saving - £0
Tax creditTrading loss of £225,000, eitherCarry forward to use against future taxable profits, orSurrender for a payment from HMRC of £32,625
R&D tax credits
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Qualifying R&D projects“advance the overall knowledge or capability in a field of science or technology where there is a scientific or technological uncertainty”
HMRC approachThe 4 questions!What was the scientific or technological advance sought?What were the scientific or technological uncertainties?How and when were the uncertainties overcome?Why was the knowledge not readily deducible?
R&D tax credits
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Qualifying R&D costsCategories of qualifying expenditure
Staff costsIncludes pension & NI
Externally provided workers65%
Consumables used directly in R&D
Power, water & fuel used directly in the R&D
Computer software
Subcontracted R&D costs – 65%
R&D tax credits
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Areas to be carefulGrant fundingSoftwareRoutine modificationsAre you the subcontractor?
R&D tax credits
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OverviewElective 10% tax rate on certain profits from patentsCorporation tax onlyPhased implementation:
60% FY 201370% FY 201480% FY 201590% FY 2016100% FY 2017
Designed for SME’s?
Patent Box
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Qualifying companyHolds qualifying IP rightsHolds an exclusive licence over qualifying IP rightsHeld either of the above and is receiving income in the current accounting period which relates to an event in an earlier accounting period when the company was also a qualifying companyDevelopment conditionActive ownership condition
Patent Box
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Calculating the reliefDesigned by Archimedes?
Two methods! Standard methodStreaming method
I’ll keep it as simple as possible – I promise!
Patent Box
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Standard Method (in short)
Find X%Apply it to the profitsTake off the routine return to give QRPTake off the marketing return to give relevant profits (RP)
Perform the calculation:
Easy, innit?
Patent Box
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Streaming Method (in short)
Income and expenses are streamed to calculate profits derived from patents exactlyTake off the routine return to give QRPTake off the marketing return to give relevant profits (RP)
Perform the calculation:
Likely to give a better result if qualifying IP income has a better profit margin!
Patent Box
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ElectionElection into regime must specify first AP it will have effect and be made before the last date the return for that AP can be amendedElection out of regime must specify first AP it will have effect and be made before the last date the return for that AP can be amendedCannot elect into regime again for 6 yearsCorporate partners make separate elections
Pre-patent claimsCan also elect into regime when a patent has been applied for but not yet granted: both patent owner or licenseeUp to 6 years of allowances pre-grant of patentGiven in first AP that patent is granted
Patent Box
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SME position
If your going to go through the process its got to be worth it!
Chicken or Egg?
Estimate likely savings over a given period and take it from there.
Patent Box
Twitter @MitCharlesworth Connect on LinkedIn Visit: www.mitchellcharlesworth.co.uk
Graeme Davies0151 255 2300
How Liverpool Business and IP Centre can help you
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…..to successfully launching and developing a business
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“Q1 2013 showed the lowest ever level of use of external finance by SME’s” – SME Finance Monitor, Aug ‘13
“Access to finance is a “major barrier” to growth for more than one in five small companies” – FT, Mar ’12
“Less than one in five SME’s have attempted to raise finance in the last year – with 40 per cent of applications rejected” – RealBusiness, Sept ‘13
The problem
Crowdcube is the world’s first and leading equity crowdfunding platform giving entrepreneurs a new way to raise investment
Fully authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority
The solution
The solution
Creating a buzz
Success so far
£28 millionfunded so far…
£250,000largest single investment
+78,000members
120+£1.9 million
biggest deal
£2,800average investment
Successfully funded deals
£180,000average deal
Stage of Growth
By Category
Growth
Source: Beauhurst, UK Equity Investment Review 2013, February 2013
UK’s ‘Most Active Seed Investor’ in 2013Beauhurst report stated Crowdcube has “dominated the UK equity crowdfunding marketing since launch and was responsible for 70% of crowdfunded deals in 2013.”
2012 2013 Growth
investment £2.2m £12.2 + 562%
deals 22 54 + 145%
average investment £1,800 £2,800 + 56%
Success so far
Why do investors love us?
“Crowdcube is a breath of fresh air; it’s a convenient, easy-to-use and makes investing far more accessible.”
Rupa GantraCrowdcube Investor
Leading the transformation of equity finance in the UK and abroad
Giving entrepreneurs a new route to finance
Satisfying investor needs
Summary
Thanks! Questions?
Mike Royston - Business Development
Manager
@mike_crowdcubeMike@Crowdcube
www.crowdcube.com
Text
£86,000 TSB SMART Award...
... 6 months to raise match
Angel Funding...
Supplier Management
Why your Innovation needs your CourageStephen Ashcroft BEng MSc FCIPS @ProcureChange
How to manage IP issues
to protect your innovation > Keep an audit trail
> Document the IP development
> Employees under control
> No contract without NDA in place
> Control presentations to 3rd parties
> Identify participants!
Key considerations > Taking financial advantage
– licence or sell
> NDA with possible suppliers
> Get legal advice – control their costs
> Learn to negotiate
> Understand the contracts
Pragmatic advice > How long before the IP can be commercially used?
> Do you have a robust business case?
> What will the whole process cost?
> What expert advice and support do you require? 251
Case study: salient points > International design house – designers > SME who had the idea > Design contract handed to SME > Major negotiations > Funding of design > Proof of concept
@ProcureChange
Group: Risk in Procurement Network
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