知识产权助力企业各个时刻

通过将知识产权融入商业决策实现增长

当前阶段
随着企业变得更加成熟并准备继续壮大，了解如何做出战略性商业决策。本节将逐项分析企业在这一阶段将面临的关键知识产权战略考量。

重要结论

  • 当业务出现变化时，重新审视知识产权战略，以确保仍能为你的商业目标提供支持。

  • 在打造知识产权组合时，考虑潜在的变革。商业模式的转变可能提升或削弱知识产权价值。

  • 随着业务发生变化，考虑是否能够创造新的知识产权以提供竞争优势或提升价值。

  • 定期审查知识产权资产。停止为不再对你或他人有价值的资产支付费用。

  • 你的知识产权可能对其他人有价值，并且可作为收入来源。考虑是否能够予以出售或许可。

  • 如果有人声称你未经许可使用其知识产权，请严肃对待。分析该主张并寻求法律帮助以确定后续步骤。

扩充团队

在扩张时，让新的团队成员清楚了解什么属公司所有以及每个人需要采取什么措施，以保障竞争优势。
a.所有权方面的考量
知识产权所有权通常最初归其发明人或创造者所有。即使有人代表你创造了知识产权，如通过雇用或合同协议，你可能也不是合法所有者。
这些权利同任何财产一样，能够通过转让实现转移。在许多国家，转让必须在相关主管机关登记。
知识产权和雇用协议
这是为何公司通常在雇用合同中要求雇员转让其知识产权。
在实践中，确保在职雇员和新雇员均有明确的合同条款，列出：
  • 什么属公司所有与什么可能由雇员所有的明确区分   
  • 以书面方式表明雇员同意转让自己创造的知识产权，即使离开公司   
  • 在辞职或雇用终止的情况下，创造的知识产权会如何
  • 与雇员商定的任何例外
当承包商创造知识产权时转让所有权
合同需要明确什么属你的公司所有，以及什么知识产权由承包商保留。这对临时工作人员而言尤为重要，他们不太可能随着公司发展一直留下来。 
在雇员离职时保护保密信息
提醒雇员或承包商其义务。如有可能，建立一个雇员参与过或帮助创造的知识产权清单。要求雇员或承包商以书面形式表明你的公司拥有这些权利。如果日后需要证明你是权利所有人，而相关人士无法或不愿意提供帮助时，就可以用到这份文件。
b.保障公司保密信息的安全

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在开展业务时，确立清晰的结构和方针，以保障公司和知识产权的安全。

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确定哪些属保密内容

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维持一份包括知识产权和商业秘密的最新清单

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要求雇员和承包商不得公开，即使离开公司之后

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不分享他人的保密信息，如前雇员的信息

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一些商业秘密对公司有极大的价值，例如：

  • 源代码

  • 客户或供应商名单

  • 财务信息和商业规划

  • 公式和配方

  • 工艺技术诀窍

  • 营销数据和规划

为此，开展​​​​​​​知识产权审计可能有助于确定属于保密和需要进一步保护的全套组合。一旦确定保密资产，则要求雇员和承包商不得公开，即便离开公司之后。

Expanding the team

As you expand, be clear with new team members about what the company owns and the steps each person needs to take to keep your competitive advantage safe.

a. Considerations on IP ownership

IP ownership often starts with its inventor or creator. Even if someone creates IP on your behalf, e.g. through employment or a contractual agreement, you may not legally own it.

Like any property, these rights can be transferred through an assignment. In many countries, an assignment must be registered with the relevant authority.

Intellectual Property and Employment Agreements

This is why companies usually require employees to assign their IP rights (IPRs) as part of their employment contracts.

In practice, make sure that current and new employees have clear contractual terms that outline:

  • Clear distinction between what the company owns, and what may be owned by employees

  • The employee's agreement to assign rights to IP they create, in writing, even after they leave the company

  • In case of resignation or termination, what happens to the IP created

  • Any exceptions you agree on with the employee

Assigning IP Ownership when created by Contractors

Contracts need to be clear about what your company owns and what IP the contractor keeps. This is especially important for temporary staff, who are unlikely to stick around as the company grows.

Protecting confidential information from departing employees

Remind the employee or contractor of their obligations. If possible, do an inventory of IP that the employee interacted with or helped create. Ask them to put in writing that your company owns these rights. This document can be used later, if you need to prove you own something and the person is unavailable or unwilling to help.

b. Keeping your company’s confidential information safe

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As you conduct your business, establish clear structures

and policies to keep your company and IP safe.

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Identify what is confidential

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Keep an up-to-date inventory that includes both IP and trade secrets

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Require employees and contractors not to disclose it, even after they leave the company

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Do not share confidential information of others, like former employees

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Some trade secrets are highly valuable to your

company, such as:

  • Source code

  • Customer or supplier lists

  • Financial information and business planning

  • Formulae and recipes

  • Process know-how

  • Marketing data and planning

For this purpose, conducting an IP audit might be helpful in identifying the full suite of what is confidential and needs further protecting. Once confidential assets have been identified, require employees and contractors not to disclose it, even after they leave the company.

共享保密信息前务必三思

你可能需要从公司外部得到帮助以实现愿景，例如打造品牌、制造产品、推销和出售产品。
在分享之前，采取措施保护公司的竞争优势。
a.执行保密协议（NDA）
保密协议（NDA）是简短的文件，阐明共享的信息为保密信息以及可以如何利用。
为保障公司安全，为你的企业制定一个保密协议模板，并且在与企业之外的任何人洽谈时，将其作为企业文化的一部分。

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模板应包括以下重要部分：

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要共享什么，为什么共享？

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信息可如何使用？

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保密期限是多久？

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如果信息被公开会发生什么？

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如果违反保密协议会发生什么？

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协议终止后，是否有任何要归还或销毁的？

Think before you share confidential information

You may need help from outside the company to realize your vision, e.g. to build your brand, manufacture your product, distribute and sell it.

Before sharing take steps to keep your company’s competitive advantage safe.

a. Execute non-disclosure agreements (NDAs)

Non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) are short documents that explain the information shared is confidential and what you can do with it.

It's a standard business practice to execute NDAs and is considered a sign of seriousness of your endeavor

To keep your company safe, develop an NDA template for your business and make it part of corporate culture when talking to anyone outside your business.

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The template should include the following key components:

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What are you sharing and why?

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How can the information be used?

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How long will it be a secret?

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What happens if the information becomes public?

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What happens if the NDA is broken?

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Will anything be returned or destroyed after the agreement ends?

与供应商合作时保障知识产权的安全

将你与供应商的商业安排书面写明，并纳入你在当前经营和发展过程中需要的元素，包括：

a.澄清你将通过这一关系拥有什么

取决于关系的不同，供应商可能愿意把开发或生产成果的权利交给你。如果由你持有，确保你的所有权明确且以书面方式记录。
b. 如果你不拥有，要清楚将来能如何使用
如果你不打算拥有创造或开发的全部成果，要了解将来能够如何加以利用。你是否能用于其他产品或服务？是否有任何限制？如果你的公司变更所有权，会发生什么？
c. 索要创造成果的实物或数字副本
你可能需要合作伙伴创造的文献、源代码、模型、公式来运营企业。
d. 哪些要保密以及你提供的任何信息能够如何使用
在最终确定供应商安排时，说明哪些要保密，即使你们已经执行保密协议。其中可能没有涵盖你们当前的关系。
在与供应商合作时，避免给竞争对手提供优势。考虑防止供应商将为你创造的成果用于第三方。
e. 供应商能否使用第三方知识产权作为合同的一部分？
供应商可能需要或者希望使用他人的知识产权来履行合同。例如，软件开发商可能纳入第三方的软件包作为移动应用的一部分。
如果你同意使用第三方知识产权，要求供应商告知有关情况。确保你接受第三方知识产权相关的许可条款，并考虑在出售部分或全部业务时，这些条款是否允许转让。
f. 明确如果有人指控你未经许可使用其知识产权会发生什么
在一些情况下，如果他人声称你正在使用其知识产权，供应商为你辩护是适当的。例如，如果你从某一供应商处购买了芯片组装入机器，并且按照供应商的指示使用，则让供应商对此类权利主张负责合情合理。
g. 合同终止时采取的步骤
清楚在合同终止时或供应商未能交付时会发生的情况。其中包括你需要什么文件，或者应销毁或归还什么。

Keeping your IP safe while working with suppliers

Put your commercial arrangements with suppliers in writing and include the elements you’ll need to run your business today and as you grow, including:

a. Clarify what you will own from the relationship

Depending on the relationship, the supplier may be willing to give you rights to what is developed or produced. If you own it, make sure that your ownership is clear and in writing.

b. If you don’t own it be clear about how you can use in the future

If you do not plan to own all of what gets created or developed, understand how you can use it in the future. Can you use it on other products or offerings? Are there any limitations? What happens if your company changes ownership?

c. Ask for physical or digital copies of what’s created

You might need documents, source code, models, formulas that your partner creates to run your business.

d. What’s confidential and how any information you provide can be used

When you finalize a supplier arrangement, clarify what’s confidential, even if you already executed an NDA. It may not cover your current relationship.

When working with suppliers, avoid giving your competitors an advantage. Consider preventing them from using what they create for you with a third party.

e. Can the supplier use third-party IP as part of the contract?

The supplier might need or want to use someone else’s IP to complete the contract. For example, a software developer may include a third party software package as part of a mobile app.

If you agree to using third party IP, ask the supplier to tell you about it. Ensure that you are comfortable with the license terms associated with the third-party IP and consider whether these terms allow for transferability in the event of selling some or all of your business.

f. Clarify what happens if someone accuses you of using their IP without permission

In some cases, it can be appropriate for a supplier to defend you if someone else claims that you are using their IP. For example, if you buy a chipset from a supplier that goes in your machine and you use it as directed by the supplier, it may make sense to make them responsible for these types of claims.

g. Steps that happen when a contract ends

Be clear what happens at the end of the contract or if the supplier fails to deliver. This includes what documentation you need or what should be destroyed or returned.

利用知识产权建立成功的商业伙伴关系

商业伙伴关系有哪些益处？
  • 获取和开发你企业所需的：知识、技术等
  • 降低研发成本，分担风险
  • 进入新市场，扩大业务规模
思考在伙伴关系的所有阶段你将如何利用知识产权：
  • 你能贡献的最优质资产可能是你的知识产权
  • 你可能需要获取合作伙伴拥有的知识产权

好的伙伴关系可能创造新的知识产权

所有权和权利可能因创造成果和知识产权的性质而不同

示例：

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品牌属于伙伴关系

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制造工艺改进属于一个合作伙伴

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产品改进属于另一个合作伙伴

你的商业伙伴关系协议应包括明确的知识产权条款，并涵盖：
  • 由谁决定要保护什么
  • 由谁监管什么流程
  • 由谁对什么付费
  • 贡献了什么知识产权，谁可以使用，以何种条件使用
  • 伙伴关系终结时，谁能得到伙伴关系拥有的知识产权和其他资产
  • 如何维持保密性
  • 如何解决争议，可参见产权组织​​​​​​​仲裁与调解中心（AMC），该中心提供经济高效的替代性争议解决（ADR）选项。

Setting up a successful business partnership with your IP

What are the benefits of business partnerships?

  • Access and develop things your business needs: knowledge, technology, etc.

  • Reduce R&D costs and share risks

  • Enter new markets and scale-up your business

Think about how you will use IP at all stages of your partnership:

  • Your best asset to contribute may be your IP

  • You may need access to IP owned by the partners

A good partnership may create new IP

Ownership and rights may vary based on what’s created and the nature of the IP

Examples:

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Brand belongs to the partnership

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Manufacturing improvements belong to one partner

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Product improvements belong to another partner

Your business partnership agreement should include clear IP terms and cover:

  • Who decides what to protect

  • Who oversees what process

  • Who pays for what

  • What IP is contributed, who can use it and on what terms

  • Who gets partnership-owned IP and other assets when it’s dissolved

  • How to maintain confidentiality

  • How to resolve disputes, you can refer to WIPO’s Arbitration and Mediation Center (AMC) which offers time- and cost-efficient alternative dispute resolution (ADR) options.

知识产权信息作为商业情报来源

想更多地了解你的市场、竞争对手和潜在合作伙伴吗？专门的知识产权数据库中所含信息透露的内容远超你的想象。
a.竞争情报
近期的注册比其他信息源更能说明情况。
b.商业机会
找到尚未投放市场的技术并获取该技术。
c.寻找合作伙伴
想要一个合作伙伴？寻找拥有互补性知识产权注册的实体。
谁在合作工作？寻找有多个参与方（如发明人或所有人）的知识产权注册。
d.技术趋势
近期的知识产权申请显示了一个领域的发展情况。
e.组件整合
你可能想利用第三方知识产权进一步开发自己的产品。
f.潜在资产
如果有未注册的知识产权，你可能能够加以保护。（或者尚未公布，或者市场可能没有看到其价值）。

IP information as a source of business intelligence

Want to know more about your market, competitors, and potential partners? Information contained in specialized IP databases reveal more than you think.

a. Competitive Intel

Recent registrations can give a clearer picture than other sources.

b. Business Opportunities

Find technology that is not on the market yet and get access to it.

c. Find Partners

Want a partner? Look for entities with complementary IP registrations.

Who’s working together? Look for IP registrations with multiple parties (e.g. inventors or owners).

d. Technology Trends

Recent IP filings show how a field is developing.

e. Component Incorporation

You may want to use third party IP to further develop your products.

f. Potential assets

If there is no registered IP, you may be able to protect it. (Or it may not be public yet, or the market may not view it as valuable).

在发展过程中降低知识产权风险

a.知识产权所有权检查
在获得成功之前，检查你是否可能在使用他人的知识产权。

未经许可使用他人的知识产权可能会葬送你的企业。

你可能不得不：

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停止使用你的名称或产品

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从市场上撤回你的产品

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支付损害赔偿

不知情不是辩护理由！

在使用知识产权资产前应检查什么？
  • 在计划销售产品的市场检索你的名称，既包括当前市场也包括将来的市场
  • 审查你提供的产品的每一个特征，既要分开审查也要作为整体审查
如何开展知识产权检查？
  • 首先自行检索（产权组织数据库）
  • 随后与专家（法律顾问或知识产权局）合作
如果发现知识产权已被使用，该怎么办？
  • 去除受保护的特征或围绕该特征设计
  • 获得其使用权（例如通过许可或购买）
  • 利用法律帮助，确定该知识产权是否适用于你或者可能无效
  • 考虑新名称或不同产品
b.保护你的知识产权
如果你没有找到任何知识产权记录，并且它具有价值，考虑通过知识产权保护你的资产
  • 利用专利、实用新型或商业秘密保护发明
  • 利用版权、工业品外观设计和商标保护创意投入
  • 利用商业秘密保护保密信息
  • 利用商标、版权和工业品外观设计保护品牌名称或标识
  • 利用工业品外观设计、版权和专利保护设计

Mitigating IP risks as you grow

a. IP ownership check

Before you become successful, check if you might be using someone else’s IP.

Using someone else’s IP without permission can cost your business.

You might have to:

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Stop using your name or offering

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Pull your offering from the market

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Pay damages

Ignorance is not a defense!

What should you check before using an IP asset?

  • Search for your name in the markets you plan to sell, both now and in the future

  • Consider each feature of your offering separately and as a whole How to carry out an IP check?

  • Start with your own search (WIPO databases)

  • Then work with an expert (legal counsel or IP office)

  • What to do if you find that an intellectual property is already in use?

  • Remove or design around the protected feature

  • Get access to it (e.g. license or buy it)

  • Use legal help to determine if the IP applies to you or may be invalid

  • Consider a new name or different offering

b. Protecting your intellectual property

If you don’t find any intellectual property records, and if it’s valuable, consider protecting your asset with IP

  • Protect an invention with patents, utility models or trade secrets

  • Protect your creative inputs with copyright, industrial designs and trademarks

  • Protect confidential information with trade secrets

  • Protect your brand name or logo with trademarks, copyright and industrial designs

  • Protect a design with industrial designs, copyrights and patents