Patents 201: A User-Guide to Patents in the Energy Industry

Many past AIChE presentations relating to patent law have focused on the basics of patentability.  The purpose of this presentation is to help chemical engineers and their management understand how to use their patents, and how to avoid common pitfalls associated with competitors' patent portfolios. Specific topics that will be covered include:

·         Patent licenses (should I grant one, do I need one from someone else);

·         Enforcement of patents (how to stop an infringer);

·         Obtaining defensive patents for R&D work (why the costs are usually justified);

·         Freedom-to-operate opinions (do I need one, yes);

·         Merger and acquisition due diligence (caveat emptor); and

·         Anatomy of a “strong” patent portfolio.   

This presentation is targeted for a mixed audience with technical, business, and legal backgrounds, and will include real-life examples from my experiences counseling and litigating in the petrochemical and biofuels industries.