From: "Stephen GOULD"Organization: Halisa International Network To: sdgillmore@oic.org Date sent: Sun, 26 Jun 2005 19:30:23 +0000 Subject: Steve - points for IP Seminar Send reply to: sggould@halisa.net Priority: normal Steve - there are a number of issues on Intellectual Property [IP] for software that you may want to include: A Funding for software development B Registering International Patents C How to Value IP D Next Steps A FUNDING FOR SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT a Often if you want to receive funding to develop a concept you have to explain in detail how the software/process operates. That in its self can open the door for somebody to copy the concept b An example is in 1987/1988 Australia had established a new venture capital [VC] market for software developers. c Many software developers revealed their IP to these VCs. d I remember one situation where the software developer thought he had secured the funding and IP rights world-wide for his product. e It transpires the IP owner eventually found out that he only had the IP rights to Australia and the VC had the rights to the Rest of the World B REGISTERING FOR INTERNATIONAL PATENTS a In 1986 I was advised by John MARTIN our Commonwealth Bank Manager to meet with a patent Lawyer Philip ARGY to take out a patent on the RUBAC Electronic Information Interchange [EII] methodology b I met with Philip ARGY and spent time with him documenting how the RUBAC coding methodology operated. c Philip ARGY is currently the head of the Australian delegation to the World Intellectual Property Organisation [WIPO] d Later that year I discovered that Australian Patent Law did not cover Intellectual Property and had to go to London to register the Patent with IP Lawyers in Lincoln Inn Fields. e It transpires that you have to register the patent for each Country There was a fee BPS 1,250 for each country f This costs makes it very difficult for a SME software developer to register the patent for all potential export markets C HOW TO VALUE INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY a On the issue of how to value IP it should take into consideration the loss of income for that concept/software developer for the time spent researching and refining the concept as well as the costs of actually developing the application. b This is where electronic diaries can play an important role in determining the cost and value of the IP c The format for this IP cost assessment could similar as ITOL Grant Applications D NEXT STEPS If required Halisa International Network would be pleased to provide: 1 a prototype Intellectual Property Record Registration that may be suitable for Software Developers to record an overview of their IP concept and who they have informed about the IP. 2 speak at the seminar 3 provide a paper on IP for consideration Regards Stephen GOULD Partner eProjects HALISA INTERNATIONAL NETWORK E: sggould@halisa.net W: http://www.halisa.net.au/G/C