Intellectual property (IP) rights are valuable assets for any startup or scale-up venture – possibly even the most important it possesses.
IP rights can:
- set a business apart from its competitors
- be sold or licensed, providing an important revenue stream
- offer customers something new and different
- form an essential part of marketing & branding
- be used as security for loans.
Emergence director, Martin Yuill, with BLG’s Jennifer Raoul (left) and Vanessa Little
While some IP rights are automatically safeguarded by law, but there are also other types of legal protection entrepreneurs and innovators must apply for.
To help our client ventures better understand the IP process, and to assist them to better exploit their IP assets, Emergence recently hosted an interactive workshop with our IP Partner, BLG from Ottawa.
Entitled“Demystifying Patentability and Freedom to Operate” BLG’s IP specialists, Jennifer Raoul and Vanessa Little helped Emergence clients navigate the “prior art” landscape in order to answer two important, but very different questions: is my idea patentable, and do I have freedom to operate?
The workshop began with a “primer” on intellectual property focused on understanding the key differences between patentability and freedom to operate, and concluded with a practical assessment of an invention’s patentability and freedom to operate that allowed attendees to apply their knowledge and skills, and to ask questions in an interactive setting.
Jennifer Raoul
Jennifer Raoul is a registered Canadian patent agent in both our Intellectual Property and Technology Professional Group and our National Biotech and Pharmaceutical Group. Based in Ottawa, Jennifer specializes in the drafting and prosecution of patent applications relating to life sciences and chemistry, with particular emphasis on pharmaceuticals, biotechnology and diagnostics. Jennifer works with clients in both the private and public sectors, including life sciences companies of all sizes, from start-ups to global organizations.
Vanessa Little
Vanessa Little is an associate practicing with the BLG Ottawa Intellectual Property group with a focus on chemical patent drafting and patent prosecution. Originally from Nova Scotia, Vanessa graduated from Saint Mary’s University with a B.Sc. Honours in Chemistry; and, in 2013, was awarded a PhD in Chemistry from Queen’s University. Prior to joining BLG, Vanessa worked as a patent specialist for a not-for-profit organization committed to the development and commercialization of green(er) chemical technologies.
About Borden Ladner Gervais LLP
“Talking IP”: with BLG – in Charlottetown, PEI
BLG is an integrated Canadian law firm providing a broad range of legal solutions. BLG’s Intellectual Property Group has proven expertise in providing advice and services to universities and research institutes, as well as to established and emerging companies in the biotech, life sciences, and technology sectors. BLG’s patent team is comprised of professionals holding advanced degrees in a wide range of science, engineering, and technology disciplines. Employing a multi-disciplinary approach, the IP Group ensures that clients receive innovative, precise and practical solutions for their legal needs. Web: www.blg.com Twitter: @BLGLaw / LinkedIN: www.linkedin.com/company/blglaw