Software Specific Challenges in Knowledge Transfer
Why join this course?
During this three-day online course you will dive into the software-specific
challenges in technology transfer. Kicking off with an overview of inventions,
patents, licenses, and business concepts that are related to software. The challenges of software and which factors to be aware of when considering
the basics will also be addressed, in addition to less-familiar forms of IP
protection. Other points for discussion are big data, marketing channels, and
software-based spin-offs. The course is highly interactive, including exercises and case studies.
Who should attend?
This course is designed for professionals that have at least 6
months experience in technology transfer and are working with software and
computer-implemented inventions.
Learning Objectives
- Be acquainted with the different terminology used in software and computer implemented inventions, as well as the implications of software development for due diligence and licensing
- Set a strategy for licensing, taking into account the opportunities and limitations of using open source licenses
- Design business models around software and computer-implemented inventions, and how to scale them
- Identify different market channels available (app, cloud, licensing models, hardware/software bundles), and align their use with a specific business model
Course Topics
- Software terminology
- Due diligence in software-implemented inventions
- Alternative IP forms for Software
- Open Source software
- Software-specific terms in license agreements
- Market channels available
- Business models in software
- Software-based spin-offs
- Programme
- Speakers
Programme
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Mon 16 October 2023
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09:00 - 09:30 Course introduction
Getting to know the Course Team and participants.
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09:30 - 10:15 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.
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10:15 - 10:30 Break
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10:30 - 11:30 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.
Malcolm Bain -
11:30 - 11:45 Break
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11:45 - 12:45 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?
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12:45 - 13:45 Lunch
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13:45 - 15:15 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.
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15:15 - 15:30 Break
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15:30 - 16:30 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.
Sigmar Lampe and Malcolm Bain -
16:30 - 17:00 Case study feedback
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17:00 - 17:15 Round up of day 1
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Tue 17 October 2023
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09:00 - 10:00 The software lifecycle
This session is intended to instruct you in the concept of a software lifecycle and key points for TT intervention.
We will look at the classic software development and exploitation lifecycle and address some common terms and issues that are specific for this model.
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10:00 - 10:15 Break
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10:15 - 11:15 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.
Sigmar Lampe -
11:15 - 11:30 Break
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11:30 - 12:30 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?
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12:30 - 13:30 Lunch
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13:30 - 14:30 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.
Florian Kirschenhofer -
14:30 - 14:45 Break
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14:45 - 15:45 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?
Florian Kirschenhofer -
15:45 - 16:45 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.
Malcolm Bain -
16:45 - 17:00 Round up of day 2
What did we learn today? Time for reflection, hands-on examples, Q and &A.
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Wed 18 October 2023
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09:00 - 10:00 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.
Sigmar Lampe and Malcolm Bain -
10:00 - 10:15 Break
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10:15 - 11:45 Digital Start-up
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11:45 - 12:00 Break
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12:00 - 13:30 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.
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13:30 - 13:45 Course wrap up
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