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Why Financial Institutions Should Consider Business Method Patents

Patents are usually associated with machines, devices, chemicals, and electronics. Increasingly, however, patents are obtained not on physical items, but rather on methods of doing business. Indeed, any system or method for conducting business in a new and nonobvious way is patentable. Generally, systems and methods patented as business methods provide a competitive advantage in the marketplace through, for example, lower fees and/or expenses, more responsive service, fewer complaints, reduced risk or liability, or improved efficiency.

For financial institutions, business method patents are gaining popularity and should be considered any time new products or services are introduced. Awareness of this relatively new type of patent can protect your investment in a business process, and protect your organization from the risk and expense of patent infringement litigation.  LEARN MORE

Can Ignoring “Boilerplate” Terms in IP Agreements Get You in Hot Water?

When you get past the deal-specific terms in an intellectual property license or other type of IP agreement you will find yourself at the end of the agreement reading the “boilerplate” terms. What are these? Are they always the same? Do they need to be in your agreement? Should you bother reading them?  LEARN MORE

Invention & Non-Disclosure Agreements: 
Protecting Business Information and Workplace Innovations

Entrepreneurs courageously leave the comfortable behind to blaze new trails. Their businesses, often built upon new inventions and secret information, can be especially vulnerable if steps are not taken to protect confidential business information and to ensure ownership of workplace ideas and inventions.

Invention and non-disclosure agreements between companies and their employees and consultants can provide protection to aspiring entrepreneurs. Although sometimes called by different names, these “Invention Agreements” generally accomplish three main objectives: (1) maintaining the secrecy of confidential information and trade secrets; (2) securing the company’s ownership of such inventions/innovations; and (3) ensuring disclosure to the company of inventions/innovations. LEARN MORE