Why top IP firms charge more and clients pay it: specialization and trust

I teamed up with Mark Campagna for an important discussion about IP’s true value that emerges when it’s aligned with business strategy. We had the opportunity to co-author a new piece for the Association of Corporate Counsel, exploring how companies can better connect IP strategy with licensing, litigation, and monetization goals.    Mark and I outline five practical tools to help legal and business leaders transform IP from a cost center into a catalyst for growth and competitive advantage.    The key takeaway: IP isn’t just a legal asset – it’s a business imperative. A big thanks to Mark for all of his key insights.   Read our article in the ACC Docket here:   https://lnkd.in/g2i9mm23 #IPValuation #Patents

Unlock the hidden value of recordals. Head to our new on-demand webinar to hear Sarah Madden and Jon Cooper discuss how leading law firms are transforming their approach to patent and trademark recordals. Learn how to streamline processes, cut down on workload, meet deadlines with ease and deliver faster, clearer results for clients. Packed with practical tips and real-world examples, this session is designed for anyone handling IP recordals. Watch on demand. https://ow.ly/YG2v50XfniZ #IP #IntellectualProperty #Recordals

IP Licensing 101: Grant of Rights Explained Intellectual property is an asset. You can hold it, sell it, or “rent” it out in exchange for value. “Renting out” IP happens through licensing, where you, the licensor and owner, retain full ownership but give someone else the right to use it within clearly defined limits. Those limits determine what the licensee can or cannot do, where they can operate, for how long, and under what conditions. All of these boundaries are typically set out in one key part of an IP licensing agreement: the grant of rights clause. The latest LawNovate article unpacks this clause in plain language. It explores how licensing rights are granted and restricted through concepts like scope, exclusivity, transferability, duration, and revocability. The goal is to give you the context you need to understand these terms when they arise in an agreement. Written By: Bardia Rahimi  Link to Article: https://lnkd.in/gpUkBWtH 

Tip of the Day: Intellectual property law is the engine and shield of modern innovationturning ideas into protected, revenue-generating assets while keeping competitors at bay. In a digital-first, global market, a smart IP strategy preserves brand equity, accelerates growth, and ensures your creations are safeguarded across jurisdictions. Services available to help protect and scale your ideas: - Patent strategy and prosecution: prior art searches, drafting, filing, office action responses, and design patents - Trademarks: clearance searches, filing, portfolio management, monitoring, and enforcement - Copyrights: registration, licensing, and infringement defense - Trade secrets: protection programs, NDAs, and misappropriation actions - IP enforcement and litigation: cease-and-desist, negotiations, TTAB/USPTO proceedings, and court actions - Licensing and commercialization: agreements, royalties, and tech transfers - Global protection: Madrid Protocol, PCT filings, and coordination with foreign counsel - IP audits and due diligence: portfolio valuation, risk mapping, and competitor monitoring - Transparent fee options: flat-fee packages for filings, clear budgets for litigation, and ongoing reporting What clients can expect: - Industry-aligned expertise tailored to your tech, consumer, or creative field - Clear, plain-language communication and proactive updates - Strategic guidance on cost, timelines, and potential outcomes - A compatibility-focused, complimentary consultation to assess needs, fit, and roadmap before you commit Use your free consultation like a compatibility test: ask about relevant case experience, communication style, anticipated challenges, and fee structure. The right fit today can save time, cost, and risk tomorrow.

In today’s knowledge-driven economy, the ability to understand and manage intellectual property (IP) is no longer a niche skill – it is a strategic imperative. Businesses increasingly rely on intangible assets to differentiate themselves, drive innovation, and create value. Yet, despite their fundamental importance, IP concepts often remain abstract and misunderstood, especially by those outside legal or licensing circles. In her latest article, IP Strategist Kate Wilson proposes we must rethink how we communicate IP – not just in terms of legal frameworks, but in ways that resonate with how businesses operate and make decisions. https://lnkd.in/gZtEEfJR #IP #IPstrategy

Most people think Intellectual Property law is only about filing and prosecution. But that is just one small part of the whole picture. The real game begins when it comes to IP Enforcement, and that is where most businesses go wrong. You see, filing a trademark or patent does not stop others from copying your work. What really protects it is how effectively you enforce it, and that is where the real skill of an IP attorney shines. Let’s break it down like this: 1️) Cease and Desist – Knowing when and how to issue a notice can make or break your client’s case. Sometimes, a well-drafted letter does what a lawsuit can not. 2️) Investigation (Physical & Online) – Before you act, you need to know where the violation is happening. Whether it is a counterfeit product being sold online or a physical outlet misusing a brand, the depth of your investigation defines your success. 3️) Understanding the Business Angle – IP is not just legal, it’s strategic. Enforcement should protect not only the rights but also the reputation and revenue of the brand. Because at the end of the day, an IP right only holds value when it’s defended in a right manner.

Is your law firm drowning in disorganized files? Today's Managing Partner summarizes a recent Clio blog post explaining why a legal content management system (CMS) is now essential for modern firms: https://bit.ly/4nFFvGE #LegalTech #LawFirmManagement #Clio #LegalInnovation

Recordals = Legal Clarity + Stronger IP Protection In the world of innovation, details define destiny. A single unrecorded change in name or address at the Indian Patent Office can turn a strong patent portfolio into a house of cards. Why Recordals Matter Every change in name or address is not just paperwork — it’s the legal backbone of your IP ownership. Legal Clarity: Ensures your patents reflect the true owner and current address, eliminating future disputes. Enforceability: Without proper recordal, even the strongest IP may fail in litigation, licensing, or investor due diligence. Statutory Compliance: The Patents Act, 1970 and Patents Rules, 2003 make it mandatory. Non-compliance can block enforcement or slow transactions. The Hidden Risk Few Acknowledge Every merger, restructuring, or rebranding changes more than your stationery — it changes your legal identity before the Patent Office. If you don’t record it: You risk missed communications. You risk ownership challenges. You risk losing enforceability — when it matters most. The Strategic Imperative Form 13 and Rule 94 are not just procedural checkboxes — they’re strategic levers. Accurate, timely recordals protect your: Litigation rights Licensing power Investor confidence Corporate credibility Because in IP law, clarity equals strength — and recordals create that clarity. The Takeaway Timely Recordals = Legal Certainty + Corporate Integrity. They transform administrative compliance into strategic IP management. In a world where innovation defines reputation, even the smallest update can secure the biggest protection. Have you reviewed your organization’s IP records lately? It might be the most valuable audit you conduct this year.

👉 My role as IP leader is changing After almost 20 years as an IP leader (most of the time in Laerdal Medical), I’m struck by how much the role has transformed. Back in the days, my work was largely about securing patents, registering trademarks, and reviewing contracts. We acted as legal guardians, evaluating risk and protecting inventions, with success measured in defensive terms. Patents filed, lawsuits avoided. Fast forward to 2025, and the landscape has shifted dramatically. IP is now a strategic asset central to the executive agenda. We have a “seat at the table” and are expected to be business leaders, strategic advisors as well as legal experts. Over the years, my mindset has evolved from “How do I protect this invention?” to “How do I use this IP to create value?” While protection remains vital, I now focus as much on offence as defence. If we can’t answer how an IP will secure markets, support products, or offer leverage, then we reconsider pursuing it. IP is becoming less about reducing risk and more about enabling growth. Another significant shift is breaking out of silos. Today’s IP leaders must be bridges across functions. I’m no longer brought in at the end of R&D projects but involved early on, collaborating with different parts of the organization to shape innovation and secure unique advantages. I am connecting technology, law, and business in ways that were rare years ago. I’m now deeply engaged in M&A and partnership activities, where IP can make or break a deal. A decade ago, I’d be looped in late, just to check patents or add legal boilerplate. Now, I’m at the table from the outset: assessing acquisition targets’ IP, valuing patents, identifying risks, and structuring deals to capture value. Perhaps the most exciting evolution has been our embrace of open innovation. Early in my career, we instinctively kept everything proprietary. Now, innovation thrives on collaboration. A modern IP leader must know when to protect and when to share. We still guard our core assets, but we’ve also licensed technology to partners, contributed to open-source projects, and built ecosystems that create value for all parties. By opening up strategically, we’ve expanded our influence and revenue streams, all while protecting what matters most. I think it is essential for IP leaders to learn the language of business. I’ve had to pick up skills in finance, corporate strategy, and marketing to champion IP in the boardroom. It’s been a challenging journey but an immensely rewarding one. Looking ahead, I’m energised by what’s next for IP leaders. As automation takes over routine tasks, our focus will shift even more to strategy, creativity, and cross-functional leadership. Exciting times ahead 🚀 #IPLeadership #IPStrategy #CIPO

Post-grant proceedings offer a quicker, more technical route to contest a patent’s validity, but they also carry strategic, financial, and procedural traps. #BusinessLaw #BusinessStrategy #IntellectualProperty #RiskManagementandRiskAnalysis #SmallBusiness