Unlocking the intellectual capital in your business

Presentation by Len ManciniPatent and Trade Mark Attorney

Source:Unseen wealth: Report of the Brookings Task Force on understanding intangible sources of value, by Margaret M. Blair and Steven M. H. Wallman (Washington: Brookings Institution, 2001)

Process for making fibre cement sheeting time consuming and laborious and also used up loads of raw materials that could otherwise have been sold

The line manager Peter thought there must be a better way. He appliedhis engineering skills to the problem at hand

He decides to replace the manual, raw material using process with a process thatused re-useable aluminium interleaves that could be handled by one person – saving labour costs and increasing efficiency and amount of product produced

The innovation was taken to the IP manager who decided that it fit the company’s objectives and R&D goals – so decided to protect it

The IP manager consulted their patent attorney and drafted a PCT application

Patent used toprevent competitorsfrom using thetechnology

Together with other patentsthe patent is licenced in exchange for royalties

Can be sold as part of the business for increased $$$

Balance sheet records:1.Increased income

(cost savings/profits + royalties)2.Value of intangible assets

Innovate

Capture Innovatio

n

Seek Protectio

nMonetise

or Use

Value

• What products, brands, processes and other intellectual assets unique to your business?

• Are you documenting all systems, methods and procedures?

• Is key relationship data written down including customer and supplier lists?

• Are agreements formally executed?• Do you have IP clauses in all of your

contracts?

1. Identify your Intellectual Assets

• Don’t Innovate in the dark!• Search IP databases

• To determine whether innovation is new• To find existing IP that can be used to

avoid doing the R&D• To avoid infringement• To identify the gaps in IP where

you can focus your R&D for maximum effect

2. Innovate Efficiently

• Protect your inventions, designs and brands

• Conduct IP Audits• Develop IP Strategies and IP Policies• Strategic Advice re: R&D • Conduct IP searches• Advising on potential infringement• Preparing agreements concerning IP

How we can help

Thank youwww.cullens.com.au

• Brisbane• Gold Coast• Townsville

Len ManciniGold Coast OfficeL.Mancini@cullens.com.au07 5588 3000