Speaker: Thomas K. Hunter
Abstract: The key assets of any company are its people and its IP. However, the Field of Dreams' model rarely works. To get the full value out of the IP, it is necessary to develop a strategy that meets the business realities and the market place. An aggressive, exclusionary posture may spur development of competing technologies, but giving away IP is unlikely to find favour with investors. Will you allow wide spread use of your IP while reserving the high value niches for yourself? Will you access other's IP by trading your IP for theirs? Can you segment the marketplace and generate value from an area in which you have no intention of competing? These are just a few of the options that will be discussed with the pros and cons vigorously debated.
Great ideas need nurturing and support if they are to reach their potential. This usually translates in to financial support from venture capitalists. What do they expect in return? How much of a bargaining position do you have and what can you do to make yourself attractive to potential investors? Corporate structures can be critical in fulfilling the investors objectives. What is a company, who has what responsibility and how is control of the company exercised? What is the end game of the company, buy out or going public and where does management of your IP fit in to these objectives?
This is the sixth lecture in the CryptoWorks21 Intellectual Property (IP) Management Lunch and Learn Lecture Series. Knowledgeable speakers will give in-depth presentations that build on previous sessions.
The lectures are designed for researchers working in areas related to information technology, including cryptography and quantum technology.
This lecture series is open to all members of CryptoWorks21, the Institute for Quantum Computing (IQC), the Centre for Applied Cryptographic Research (CACR), Cybersecurity and Privacy Institute (CPI) and Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology (WIN).
Please RSVP by February 1st and let us know if you have any dietary constraints. Sandwiches and beverages will be provided.