Guides
Protecting your IP
Ask the expert: Some clarity on trade secrets versus patents
A reader asks what the difference is between trade secrets and patents, and whether trade secrets are ever formally documented. Our expert, H. Henry Heines of Townsend and Townsend and Crew LLP, offers a primer on trade secrets and provides in-depth answers.
Broadcom versus Qualcomm: Patents and the International Trade Commission
Expert Analysis: The ITC can prohibit the importation and sale of products that infringe a US patent. Most electronic devices are manufactured outside the United States, so the potential power of the ITC is very real and worth understanding.
Ask the expert: Can you successfully challenge IP infringement?
If a company in a country that doesn't recognize IP rights copies your IP, what's your recourse? Our expert responds.
Ask the expert: Am I the inventor?
A reader has an idea for a new product, and creates it with materials from two different companies. He doesn't work for either—is he the inventor? Our expert weighs in.
Electronics industry homes in on specific patent-reform provisions
The Patent Reform Act of 2007 has broad bipartisan support. But there is conflict within the high tech industry on the proposed changes—some of it centering on a David versus Goliath storyline.
Expert advice: How to ensure quality verification IP
Companies turning to design reuse and intellectual-property blocks need to make sure that third-party IP fits easily into the target SOC environment.
Ask the expert: How are US courts performing in IP theft suits?
A reader wonders what kind of a track record the US court system has in general when it comes to IP theft suits. Our expert weighs in.
Ask the expert: How can you protect proprietary processes from copycats?
A reader wants to know how Software as a Service businesses can protect their proprietary business processes. Our expert weighs in.
Expert advice: How to decide whether or not to file a patent
You have a new invention and are considering filing a patent. The question is, does it make sense to file? You need to weigh several complicated factors to make a good decision.
IP Expert Advice: How to make the IP ecosystem work for you
If integrators want to minimize their risk in using a particular IP core and shorten their product development cycle, they need to understand the IP ecosystem.
IP Expert Advice: US inventorship and priority disputes over geography
When you file and where you file a patent can make the difference between benefiting from patent rights and being an also-ran.
Expert advice: Patent defendants have the upper hand--for now
Several significant changes in rapid succession favor patent defendants and significantly diminish the fearsome power of patents.
IP Expert Advice: Tips on creating a lab notebook that contains "convincing evidence"
A lab notebook may be a nuisance to keep, but in today's climate of patent challenges and infringement claims, it can be an invaluable piece of legal evidence. Here are some surefire procedures you can follow to keep a notebook that will stand up in court.
Understanding patents: How to be prepared for due diligence
The following is a chapter excerpted from the book Patents For Business: A Manager's Guide to Scope, Strategy, and Due Diligence, by M. Henry Heines, partner, Townsend and Townsend and Crew LLP.
Expert analysis: How KSR v. Teleflex should change your patent strategies
In the recent case of KSR v. Teleflex, the U.S. Supreme Court has redefined the standard of what is too obvious to patent. Patent attorneys will soon be responding with some new strategies. Let’s take a look at what to expect.
Ask the expert: Did Broadcom act unethically concerning Bluetooth?
A recent article covered the lawsuit brought by Washington Research Foundation (WRF) against consumer electronics firms that were using Cambridge Silicon Radio’s Bluetooth chips. A reader asks, if what it did is not illegal, is Broadcom guilty of unethical practices?
New Supreme Court patent ruling may create uncertainty
The Supreme Court and the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) both made significant announcements on April 30 concerning patents that have implications for the electronics industry.
David vs. Goliath: The battle between large and small IP vendors, part 2
In Part 1 of “David vs. Goliath: The battle between large and small IP vendors” we talked about some of the general differences between IP providers based on their size. Part 2 looks at how the characteristics of your company and the specific SoC you are designing may influence your decision on whether to purchase IP from a large or small IP vendor.
David vs. Goliath: The battle between large and small IP vendors, part 1
As in many other industries, the controversy between large versus small suppliers for a needed system component also applies to the selling and buying of silicon IP for SoC designs. The difference is that the unique nature of silicon IP makes for an interesting analysis when considering who you should go to for your IP.
Expert advice: How to mitigate IP integration risks
Eliminating all risk associated with integrating an IP core onto a piece of silicon is a nice thought, but it's not possible. But if you make the right decisions at the beginning of your design, you can substantially reduce the risk associated with integrating silicon IP into your chip.
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