Ask an Expert

Can trade secret protection really be an alternative to patent protection for startups?

特許 As an early-stage startup we do not have a lot of funding available for patent applications. I have read that trade secret protection is a useful a...
回答: 2 閲覧: 1389 いいね: 0 2015/04/28 イギリス

Can a provisional patent application be changed?

特許 After filing a provisional patent application, can the original application be changed or a new one filed if the underlying concept changes? Does t...
回答: 1 閲覧: 1169 いいね: 0 2015/04/27 アメリカ合衆国

What exactly happens to an NDA if the company goes under or is bought out?

契約 What exactly happens to an NDA when the company in the name of which the document was signed ceases to exist? Can this case be effectively regulate...
回答: 2 閲覧: 1433 いいね: 2 2015/04/27 アメリカ合衆国

What happens to the founder of a company backed by angel investors if the company fails?

ローン・債務 In what scenario would the founder be liable to the investors?
回答: 1 閲覧: 1122 いいね: 1 2015/04/27 アメリカ合衆国

If I am outsourcing development/engineering, what steps can I take to ensure IP ownership remains mine?

ビジネスオペレーション If I incorporate before outsourcing anything can I write a document outlining everything and make the developers sign it?
回答: 1 閲覧: 1002 いいね: 0 2015/04/26

How can we establish a good IP strategy in the early stages?

ビジネスストラテジー When in the early phase of a startup venture all efforts of a small team of co-founders go into MVP development, marketing/metrics and fundraising,...
回答: 2 閲覧: 1109 いいね: 0 2015/04/25 アメリカ合衆国

co-inventors and first-to-file

特許 Does the new "first-to-file" system mean that if two people working together invent something, one of them can file without the co-inventor such th...
回答: 1 閲覧: 931 いいね: 0 2015/04/25 アメリカ合衆国

If multiple people are inventors of a patent, do you need the agreement of one of them or all of them to license the IP for that patent?

特許 How should these agreements be drafted?
回答: 2 閲覧: 1038 いいね: 0 2015/04/25 イギリス

How long does a patent protect a technology?

特許 How long is the time of protection? Does the period between the filing of the patent application and the actual grant count as well? What about the...
回答: 3 閲覧: 1226 いいね: 0 2015/04/25 イギリス

How do I go about launching a seed round?

資金調達 I have a great MVP with first customer metrics and a solid marketing strategy. I know this may seem a somewhat unusual question to an expert, but h...
回答: 1 閲覧: 1098 いいね: 0 2015/04/24 アメリカ合衆国