Handling the interests of potentially competitive SMEs
November 22nd, 2007 — neilstewartWe have 5 SMEs in an IP. Two are very specialised in their different market sectors. The other three operate in similar sectors and there could potentially be conflicting interests in exploitation of the technology and IP developed. Does anyone have a good way of handling this other than the “normal” IP rules?
November 25th, 2007 at 8:34 am
It would help to know a bit more about the project. Is it already running and, if so, for a long time? In that case, what does the CA say about IP management?
IPs often have a relatively broad agenda, and hence several potential results, but yours sounds as if it is focused on one specific technology, in which all five SMEs are potentally interested. Is that right?
In the latter case, there may not be many options. Best would have been to avoid the situation in the first place (i.e. build a project with complementary not competing SMEs).
If they all want the technology, is there something sufficiently new and different about it compared with their current businesses to make a joint venture feasible? Otherwise, how about excusive licences in different application areas and/or geographical markets?