A consequence of the inevitable intersection of technology and law is a wide and expanding field of legal practice involving the economic value of technologist creativity. The generic subject of this legal practice is known as intellectual property (IP) and is especially relevant to the creative developments in the electrotechnology industries. To encourage innovation and invention, the US Constitution authorized the creation of a system to protect IP, including patents. There is a growing body of law and practice relating to the many facets of IP and the transformation of technological creativity into economic value.
This well-written book provides an exceptional overview and introduction to current and emerging IP law and practice of importance to those in electrotechnology fields. It is organized into three parts (20 chapters), providing relatively up-to-date insight and guidance on the attributes and distinctions of the different types of IP, their application, and representative usage in theory and in practice.
The six chapters in the first part present a detailed overview, underlying theory, and legal standards of the four basic IPs: patents, trade secrets, trademarks, and copyrights. The next four chapters, in the second part, explore the application and implementation of IP practices, procedures, and strategies, specifically directed toward the domains of electronic devices and computer software. These chapters cover the basic steps for getting started in IP protection applications, as well as practical issues to consider when deciding whether to apply for patent, trade secret, or copyright protection. The subsequent ten chapters, which make up the final part, focus on the monetization of IP portfolios, the financing and licensing of IP rights, and enforcement and infringement issues associated with IP protection. There are separate chapters on IP monetization strategies for startups, incubators, universities, and other research centers. The content concludes with four separate appendices providing sample draft formats for many common IP-related legal documents, including confidential disclosures, assignments, and licensing agreements. Finally, there is a comprehensive index to assist in the location of important points.
The text is replete with many examples and case studies from the electrotechnology industries, both hypothetical and relatively recent real world. These serve to illustrate the complexities of applied IP theory and practice. Although this text is mostly quite up to date, it must be noted that the old model of patenting an invention and then building a company around it has become passé in the last decade, and the world of IP is undergoing fundamental transformation. At the same time, new aggregation entities have altered the balance between inventors and operating companies. Congress has recently made several important changes to the laws governing IP, especially in matters of innovation policy, property rights, and anti-trust. It is expected that additional laws will be enacted to further address these issues.
That said, this is one of the best handbooks on applied IP practice that I have ever seen. It is specifically intended for entrepreneurs in the electronics and computer fields. The authors are IP lawyers who are also good writers and can easily relate to those of us in our geek domains. I highly recommend this book as a reference and guide to all innovators, practitioners, and students of IP policy who must understand and apply IP protections in their day-to-day work.
