How Does Innovation Fit in a Nation with 20% Unemployment?

By: Trevor Blum
madrid_spain

As discussed in the Main Street Catalyst series, unemployment is currently a hot topic in economic and political debate. Politicians continue to clamor for means to create jobs, while governmental agencies and media outlets report lackluster job growth figures. Unemployment rates of major economic powers include: Country - Jul./∆ Jun.-Jul. (%) Japan – 4.4/0.1 Germany – 6.6/0.0 United Kingdom – 7.9* United States – 9.1/-0.1 France – 9.5/0.1 (US Bureau of Labor Statistics,  All figures are adjusted to U.S. concepts and factor seasonality,*May 2011) Nevertheless, these figures are rosy compared to ... Read More

Categories: Author: TMB, innovation

Innovation through Public Interaction: The Wisconsin Institutes of Discovery

By: Trevor Blum
WID

My summer travels have taken me from the shallows of Lake Manyara to the shores Lake Mendota. Both these lakes, interestingly, host interactions between members of their surrounding communities; animals at the former and the public of Madison, Wisconsin at the later.  Nowhere does the community of Madison seemingly interact more than at the Wisconsin Institutes for Discovery (WID) facility, a 10 minute walk from Lake Mendota. WID is a public-private partnership, focused on, inter alia, fostering “new approaches to biological and ... Read More

Categories: Author: TMB, innovation

IP Education in Developing African Countries

By: Trevor Blum
Rombo Tanzania

The lens through which to view IP in developing, African countries is seemingly cloudy and speckled with shades of gray. In these locations, IP may appear at the forefront or as a non-consideration in economic transactions. For example, while traveling in Moshi, Tanzania I noted bootleg DVDs and designer watches were available at a local, open-air market. Around the corner from the market, multinational corporations with core brands, such as The Coca Cola Company and Barclays PLC, were selling goods and services.This juxtaposition makes business decisions involving ... Read More

Categories: Author: TMB

The Value of IP as a Commodity

By: Ian McClure
IP

I recently published an article in Issue 47 of IAM magazine titled "The Value of IP as a Commodity".  The article is a comprehensive description of IPXI and the ULR contract model for non-exclusive licensing.  In addition, the article highlights the ongoing debate between IP professionals and IP market participants regarding the inefficiencies in IP valuation and technology transfer and how best to resolve these problems.  The natural progression in IP monetization methods has led to the commoditization of IP assets, such ... Read More

Categories: Burgeoning Business, Patent Prospects, Portfolio Potential

The Next Big Thing in Monetizing IP: A Natural Progression to Exchange-Traded Units

By: Ian McClure
dubai

The 1990s was the decade of information technology (IT) - a decade where information was important, but the use, disposition, and security of information became paramount.  The 2000s was the decade of intellectual property (IP) - a decade where an idea was royal, but exclusive rights to an idea became king.  Continuing the natural progression, we currently reside in the decade of intangible assets (IA) - a decade where innovation is the door to success, but ... Read More

Categories: Monetizing IP, Patent Prospects

Invent for Humanity – A Transparent Marketplace for Humanitarian Tech Transfer & IP Licensing

By: Ian McClure
ifh-socialmedia-sq200x200-2

It has been some time since I have posted, but I thought that this matter is of high interest and importance to the technology transfer community and its profound impact on global development and humanitarian concerns. Today the Licensing Executives Society International, Inc. (LESI) and the Center for Applied Innovation (CAI) Announced the Invent for Humanity™ Technology Transfer Exchange Fair, a first-ever event bringing together a renowned collection of technology leaders, humanitarian organizations, and IP licensing & tech transfer professionals. Invent for Humanity ... Read More

Categories: Monetizing IP, Patent Prospects

New article in Intellectual Property Magazine: The Value of Efficiency and Transparency in IP Licensing: Let the Market Decide

By: Ian McClure
dsc_04331

I recently published a new article in Intellectual Property Magazine titled "The Value of Efficiency and Transparency in IP Licensing: Let the Market Decide".  The piece discusses the need for a more efficient licensing model with market enhancing solutions providing accessibility and elminating transaction costs associated with the traditional bilateral licensing model.  Read the article HERE. Read More

Categories: Burgeoning Business, Investment Intelligence

New Article on IP Insurance: Changing the Economics of the IP Litigation Landscape

By: Ian McClure
ipprospective

You may want to be apprised of the opportunities provided by IP insurance.  You may also want to simply be aware that the other side  might have IP insurance. I have published an article in this month's issue of The Federal Lawyer touching on these opportunities and the impact they may have on the IP litigation landscape.  One interesting effect is on the market for IP transactions, specifically, the influence IP insurance may have on the decision to enter into a license. Read the ... Read More

Categories: Burgeoning Business

On to IPXI and In Pursuit of Standards, Efficiency and Transparency in the IP Marketplace

By: Ian McClure
new-york298

Please forgive my temporary hiatus from IP Prospective updates, for the last two weeks have been hectic.  In the last two weeks, I have made the decision to leave the private practice of intellectual property law and join Gerard Pannekoek's team at IPXI in the pursuit of standards, efficiency and transparency in the IP marketplace.  I have followed the development of IPXI closely for over two years now, as I have posted about IPXI more than once on this medium.  As an outsider, I have watched the growth of the idea into ... Read More

Categories: Burgeoning Business

The Perfect Storm: Corporate Disclosure, Shareholders, and the Importance of Intellectual Property

By: Ian McClure
monumenting62

I have followed the developing story of John Desmarais and his reported purchase of 4,000 patents from Micron as covered by Joff Wild and the IAM Blog, among other bloggers.  A very nice recap of the story, the questions that have been raised, and the meaning of it all can be found HERE under an IAM Blog post titled "Why Micron Matters".  The better title, however, might have been "Why IP Matters", for this story truly brings to light (if all reported facts are accurate) ... Read More

Categories: Patent Prospects, Portfolio Potential