Posts Tagged: "contract"

Demystifying Legal Diligence in Tech Deals

You are about to strike a deal with an industry partner to develop an exciting new product. Or maybe you have identified the perfect opportunity to acquire an upstart company whose tech would allow you to expand into a lucrative market. Smart companies do their diligence and plan ahead to ensure they maximize the benefits and mitigate the risks of the deal. Fortunately, diligence into technology assets and intellectual property is not that different from the diligence you would do when buying a house. Not everyone is fluent in technology and intellectual property, though—these are complex areas with their own sets of issues. This article lays out five simple questions a company should ask itself throughout the diligence process to help tease out and navigate red flags, with the assistance of an experienced IP transactional attorney.

Contracts 101: Covenants, Representations and Warranties in IP License Agreements

It continually amazes me that many business folks who negotiate tons of IP license agreements, fail to understand the difference between covenants, representations, and warranties that are “standard” in many such agreements.  Well, that is not too surprising.  What is very surprising, however, is that many of their lawyers fail to appreciate the differences as well!  Many think the terms are synonymous and thus use them interchangeably. They are not.  So, for those of you tired of faking the funk, here is some (either fresh or refresher) Contracts 101!

Federal Circuit to decide if licensing agreement can prevent validity challenge at PTAB

The Federal Circuit has agreed to expeditiously hear an appeal from Dodocase VR, Inc. v. Merchsource, LLC No. 17cv7088 (N.D. Cal.) (“Dodocase”) in which the district court determined that a forum selection clause could not be overridden to allow a patent validity challenge at the PTO without breaching the contract containing the clause.  The court issued a preliminary injunction ordering the withdrawal of the petitions MerchSource had filed with the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB).  Dodocase at 24.  In its arguments, MerchSource strongly relied on the public’s interest in permitting the PTO to correct its mistakes.  This interest, however, was not found to outweigh the policy favoring enforcing parties’ agreed upon selection of a forum.  Id. at 17.

Negotiating Your First Big Tech Software License

One of the critical moments in the life of a start-up tech company is landing its first big contract with a giant tech company. That first tech deal is also a daunting process. Take a deep breath. You can negotiate these agreements, as long as you negotiate smartly. Here are five common-sense tips for going forward… Play the long game. Nothing begets more business opportunities than a satisfied customer. Earn their trust. Show them you can deliver what they want. If you can start that process as early as the negotiations on the first contract, you are already ahead of the game.

Desilu Studios Files Trademark Infringement Complaint Against CBS in California Federal Court

Manhattan Beach, CA-based entity Desilu Studios, Inc., filed a complaint alleging trademark infringement and other claims against New York City-based television and film production firm CBS Studios. The complaint, filed in the Central District of California, asks the court to declare Desilu Studios the correct owner of trademarks covering the use of the Desilu trademark, first coined by famed TV stars Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz.