Software Specific Challenges in Technology Transfer

09:00 - 09:15    Course introduction

09:15 - 10:15    Software Intellectual Property rights

In this session, you will learn the fundamentals of the different kinds of IP that apply to software and how to protect them. We will be looking at patents, copyright, and database rights.

Most of us will be familiar with patent protection but with software this is not always straightforward and other, perhaps less familiar, forms of IP protection may be more appropriate.

10:15 - 10:45    First evaluation (intellectual asset inventory)

In this session, you will learn software-specific intellectual property issues and challenges including common mistakes and hygiene factors. We shall address software specific issues and challenges, and learn which questions to ask when you check a software invention disclosure. This also gives insight to software-specific challenges and what to look for in the development of a case.

10:45 - 11:15    Coffee Break

11:15 - 13:00    Patentability of software/ computer-implemented inventions: views from Europe and the US

This session will help you understand the specific challenges in computer-implemented inventions, and the different views from Europe and the US.

The European Patent Office released new examination guidelines in relation to Artificial Intelligence and Simulation-related Inventions. Meanwhile, in the US, new court cases have been changing the understanding of what can be patented.

13:00 - 14:00    Lunch

14:00 - 15:00    The software lifecycle

This session is intended to instruct you in the concept of a software lifecycle agreement.

We will analyse a classic software lifecycle and address the common terms and concepts that are specific for this model.

15:00 - 16:00    Open source licensing

The objective of this session is to learn how to deal with the opportunities and limitations of open source and creative commons including the legal aspects, and the business advantages and disadvantages.

We will dive into the various forms of open source that are available and review how these will affect our business case.

What if the invention contains elements of open source with limitations on commercial exploitation?

What needs to be considered to ensure that we still have a valid business case?

16:00 - 16:30    Coffee Break

16:30 - 17:30    Case study

The objective of this session is to run through a realistic invention disclosure scenario. We shall start from the first contact with the disclosure, through to the first level of due diligence in two software cases.

17:30 - 18:00    Case study feedback

18:00 - 18:15    Round up of day 1

09:00 - 10:30    Data in university IP

The increasing prevalence of digital innovation pushes the limits of established KT activities. The objective of this session is to understand the role of data in university IP. We will look at what ‘data’ is, which IP rights can protect it, and how to address data ownership and use. Further we will explore strategies for making data available, data valuation and how to retain control of data, illustrated by a case study.

10:30 - 11:00    Coffee Break

11:00 - 12:00    Channels to market: apps, cloud, licensing models, hardware/software bundles

The objective of this session is to understand the various channels that can be used to market software-based inventions. We shall review a number of channels that can be used to get software to market and get an understanding of the criteria required for each route, which ones are preferable and under what boundary conditions.

12:00 - 13:00    Business models: making money

Understand how to turn your software into a viable business. The session will focus on the various possibilities that are available with software-specific angles. Which challenges will you face in terms of : marketing, payment models, regulations and restrictions, and required personnel?

13:00 - 14:00    Lunch

14:00 - 15:00    Practical cases of business models in software deals

The objective of this session is to look at examples of software businesses to understand what led to their success. It is important to learn from others but without the proper understanding of the settings and why things worked out, the information is less useful. Participants will look into well-known successes, learn about their challenges and understand how they managed to turn their business into an international success.

15:00 - 16:00    Business model case study

The objective of this session is to get the feeling for which business models can be used to market software. You will be asked to apply what you have learned today, and analyse a number of business models from a set of well-known examples.

16:00 - 16:30    Coffee Break

16:30 - 17:30    Artificial Intelligence and Data Management

With Artificial Intelligence rapidly gaining importance, how are we as KTOs, used to working with inventions and software, adapting to deal with it?

The objective of this session is to understand the limitations of the classical IP regime when it comes to dealing with AI and data in research and development collaborations as well as KT activities.

What are the implications for deal making when AI is involved?

17:30 - 17:45    Round up of day 2

What did we learn today? Time for reflection, hands-on examples, Q and &A.

09:00 - 10:30    Bamboo Energy, from lab to market

In 2014 a young PhD researcher proposed to the develop a commercial energy aggregator in the framework of her first European H2020 project at the Catalonia Institute for Energy Research (ICREA).

Since then, the idea has gone through all the RDI and KTO value chain to become a promising start-up offering a software platform to manage and monetize energy flexibility.

We would like to share the amazing journey with you and discuss challenges and successes.

10:30 - 11:00    Coffee Break

11:00 - 12:30    Spin outs: the investor’s perspective: investment manager

In this session, an investor will give his perspective on a software-driven business and address issues such as ROI opportunities, time to market, liability risks, building the right team, and market entry thresholds.

12:30 - 12:45    Course wrap up

12:45 - 13:45    Lunch