Handling IP Assets in an M&A Transaction
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Technology Partnering Deal
Here is a video describing the basic components or building blocks of a typical technology partnering deal: equity investment, technology development, licensing, manufacturing and distribution.
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Intellectual Property Infographic
My colleague Touraj Parang is the COO of a new startup UpCounsel which posted a terrific infographic on Intellectual Property:
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Market for IP and Tech Trans Lawyers is Heating Up
“Before I joined Shearman & Sterling‘s M&A practice, I used to think the tech transactions partner was like a football team’s long snapper, who just comes in for one or two plays. Now I realize how critical that role is, especially for technology deals.” See The Recorder, Tech Transactions is Heating Up.
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Drafting IP Reps and Warranties
Whenever I get involved in an M&A transaction involving intellectual property, the first place I start is in the definitions to make sure there are no “gaps” or circularity. The process reminds me of carefully descending into a spiral staircase.
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Life Science Collaboration I
Life Science Collaborations differ from traditional Technology Partnering Deals both in structure and complexity. My partner Michael Dorf and I have worked on a number of these and here is a quick one page summary of such structures: [Life Science Collaboration]
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License Animation Project
Inspired by Caltech’s Mechanical Universe Project, I made a short video comparing the typical grant language of a software license, a biotech license and a patent license, all in about 60 seconds.
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Warranty vs. Indemnity
This 100 second poem on the difference between warranty and indemnity was inspired by a law school friend of mine who said he was once too embarrassed to admit at a party that he didn’t know the difference between a warranty and an indemnity! Warranty vs. Indemnity from Richard Hsu on Vimeo.
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What do Lawyers Do?
When my daughter asked me the perennial question: “Dad, what does a lawyer do?”, I showed her this cartoon*: * Licensed with permission from the New Yorker
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Software Warranties and Liability
When my partner Mike Kennedy and I recently worked on a deal together, a question came up as to what new law there was relating to Software Warranties and Liabilities. The answer was “not much” since this article was published by Lawrence Levy and Suzanne Bell. Click here for a one page summary of that article.
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Startup Company Forms
My former Venture Law Group colleague and Harvard Law School graduate, Jeff Thomas, has been teaching entrepreneurship courses in various law and business programs. He formed his own company CrazyBrains LLC with the goal of helping entrepreneurs by open sourcing startup corporate forms. Here is his nicely put together one-pager. Click here for downloadable PDF: Startup Company Forms
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My “trivial” homage to Steve Jobs
In looking at the countless tributes and collections of quotes from Steve Jobs, it occurred to me that he was probably pretty good at the game Trivial Pursuit. Here are 6 quotes that made me think why:
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Einstein on Branding
One normally doesn’t associate Albert Einstein with trademarks or branding, but leave it to Steve Cecil, one of the most creative neologists I know, to come up with something.
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Legends of Caltech
When someone in my dorm asked me “would you like a photo of the Caltech prank on the Hollywood sign?” I never thought it would eventually be the basis of a full-length feature movie called Legends of Caltech which is being made 20 years later!
