Tradespace

My conversation with IP leader Bridget Smith from Relativity Space has been one of my favorites to date. Relativity Space is a 3D printed rocket startup that in 2023 launched the biggest 3D printed object to have ever made it to space. Being Relativity Space’s AGC and Director of IP is truly Bridget’s dream job — leading IP at a startup was the sole reason she pursued IP! In my latest blog post, Bridget shares why Relativity Space makes heavy use of trade secrets, two unique aspects to their trade secrets program, and her keys to success in startup IP and as a woman in STEM constantly seeking growth! Read all about it here and be inspired to lead: https://lnkd.in/gMuppGbu #IPleadership #womeninIP #intellectualproperty

A couple weeks ago I wrote about the risks of using startups and spinouts as a vehicle for commercializing university IP. How can Tech Transfer offices avoid these risks? By picking winners and structuring agreements to incentivize long-term partnership & collaboration. These two recommendations aren't particularly ground-breaking, but implementing them effectively isn't easy – I've seen too many missteps here. In part 2 of my blog, I share what I've learned from working with some of the best (and worst) T2 offices WRT spinouts. You can read here: https://lnkd.in/d2mEtwSu #universityIP #universitytechtransfer #IPcommercialization

IP teams are taking more and more work back from outside counsel, but Jason Tejani’s experience at Enveda Biosciences as SVP of Legal proves that it doesn’t just have to be about cost cutting. Robust in-house IP comes with the following benefits: - Longer and closer relationships with scientists for more direct collaboration  - Strategies that are more informed by the broader market and its quickly-changing trends - A more holistic approach to maintaining competitiveness, which Jason has gotten to formalize into a program Read more in my latest blog post: https://lnkd.in/g5MHG7gE #inhouseIP #IPstrategy #biotechIP

As Tradespace’s work with universities has grown over the years, one trend has become very clear to me: spinouts and startup licensing have become THE primary channels for commercializing University IP. But I worry that tech transfer offices are focusing too much on the volume of deals and not the long-term ROI. Most startups never get a product to market at scale. University spinouts can end up limbo, with founders straddling academic and entrepreneurial duties. This ties up valuable University IP and can actually throttle real innovation. To be clear - I think spinouts are an enormous opportunity for Universities to transition technology to market - they just need to be managed with an eye towards long-term ROI. In my latest blog post, I share why I universities should change how they measure success with spinouts and startup licensing. Give it a read here: https://lnkd.in/eZWim2kf and stay tuned for part 2 where I offer my tips on how to successfully navigate this change. #universityIP #universitytechtransfer #IPcommercialization

Clause 8’s first ever debate — on Section 101 eligibility — just dropped today. While the USPTO has been praising the development of AI in the US, obtaining patent protection for AI-related inventions has become significantly more difficult: Section 101 rejections have been soaring in 2024 (read more at https://lnkd.in/eYfSAWT7). Does this trend need changing? In this episode, David W. Jones, ED of the High Tech Inventors Alliance, argues that there is no patent eligibility crisis. Former USPTO Director and implementer of the 2019 Revised Patent Eligibility Guidance Andrei Iancu argues the opposite. In the end, the conversation is less a debate and more a rich illustration on how the devil is in the details when it comes to the patent eligibility of software innovation. And both agreed: we need more clarity. Email updates and episode archive: www.Clause8Podcast.com Apple Podcasts:  https://lnkd.in/dRMN96AZ YouTube Music: https://lnkd.in/ddDnB4rd Spotify: https://lnkd.in/dUk-kJNB #patenteligbility #softwarepatents #AIpatents

Lillian Safran Shaked has likely worked on more patent deals than anyone else. She may keep a low profile, but is squarely one of the who’s who of patent monetization along with last week’s guest Erich Spangenberg. In fact, she’s Erich’s lawyer. Her episode offered up a treasure trove of advice on how to get patent deals done over and over again, such as: - Move fast so momentum doesn’t drop. That means daily touchpoints and turnarounds, and always setting up the next call during the current one. (Why Erich considers Lillian one of the best he’s worked with.) - Win-win patent deals exist. Both parties want to strike a deal, and the faster the better for everyone. - Assume you will work with a player again. Licensing is about maintaining relationships, not getting every last cent. Tune in for more insights like these on patent monetization and additional topics. Email updates and episode archive: www.Clause8Podcast.com Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/eMQDg5hQ YouTube Music: https://lnkd.in/e4iPznRY Spotify: https://lnkd.in/eePcnNma #patentlicensing #patentmonetization #patenttransactions

The innovation to IP process is “far more nuanced” than corporate innovation models acknowledge, say Colleen Chien and Jillian Grennan of UC Berkeley in their recent paper (find it here: https://lnkd.in/gQFaJUEb) In my view, better appreciating 3 nuances can help improve inventor engagement and increase disclosure volume, as I write about in my latest blog post. Nuance 1: Invention is an ongoing process, so invention disclosure should be too. Instead of asking inventors to fill out massive forms, keep things simple at the beginning so your inventors will bite. Nuance 2: Inventors are often unimpressed with their own inventions — remind them that what’s obvious to them is a breakthrough for others. Inventors know they should submit when they invent, but might have different ideas about what counts as an invention. Nuance 3: Different inventors need different education, and you’ll have a bigger impact if you target the right ones. Focus your education efforts on the inventors who are closest to the company’s R&D priorities and most undersubmitting. Read the full post to learn more about Chien and Grennan’s innovator-inventor gap, how I think of it, and some practical responses here: https://lnkd.in/gF3ZVih2 #intellectualproperty #inventiondisclosure #inventorengagement