A comprehensive answer to the questions about Bart Leten's Strategic IP Management cases. This saves you the purchase of the cases (40 euro) and time. These are all answers to the questions that were raised in the lessons.
1.Foxconn v BYD(A): Commercial espionage or learning by hiring?
Strategies Used by BYD to Leverage the IP of Its Competitors:
1. Learning-by-Hiring:
o BYD hired former Foxconn employees, gaining access to their knowledge and
expertise, which included proprietary information and trade secrets.
2. Reverse Engineering:
o Analyzing competitors’ products to understand and replicate their technology.
3. Aggressive R&D Investments:
o Investing heavily in research and development to innovate and improve upon
existing technologies.
Management Practices at Foxconn Facilitating BYD’s Strategy:
1. High Employee Turnover:
o Frequent movement of employees led to the unintentional dissemination of
proprietary knowledge.
2. Inadequate Non-Compete Agreements:
o Lack of stringent non-compete clauses allowed employees to join competitors
without significant legal repercussions.
3. Loopholes in IT Systems:
o Insufficient security measures and monitoring allowed sensitive data to be
easily accessed and potentially leaked by departing employees.
Should Foxconn Pursue Criminal Action Against BYD?
Pros of Pursuing Criminal Action:
1. Deterrence:
o Establishes a precedent that deters future IP theft.
2. Compensation:
o Potential to recover damages and protect intellectual property.
Cons of Pursuing Criminal Action:
1. Costs:
o High legal expenses and prolonged litigation.
2. Reputation:
o Potential negative publicity and strain on industry relationships.
3. Proof of Guilt:
o Challenges in proving criminal intent and obtaining concrete evidence.
Recommendation:
Foxconn should weigh the potential benefits of deterrence and compensation against the
costs and challenges of litigation. Implementing stronger internal security and IP protection
measures may be a more immediate and cost-effective strategy to prevent future incidents.
, 2. Alnylam Pharmaceuticals: Building value from the IP estate
Main Building Blocks of Alnylam’s Patent Portfolio:
1. Core Technologies: Patents related to RNA interference (RNAi) technologies.
2. Therapeutic Areas: Patents covering specific therapeutic applications and molecules.
3. Platform Patents: Patents that protect the fundamental methods and processes used in
their drug development.
4. Collaborations: Patents co-owned or licensed through partnerships and collaborations
with other institutions and companies.
Co-Owners of the Tuschl-I Patent Dispute:
The co-owners of the Tuschl-I patent are fighting over the prosecution due to differing
interests in control and commercial benefits from the patent. Each party aims to maximize its
share of potential licensing revenues and influence over the use of the technology.
Balancing Risks vs. Rewards of Alnylam’s Licensing Strategy:
Rewards:
o Generates revenue through licensing fees and royalties.
o Establishes Alnylam as a leader in RNAi technology.
o Fosters strategic partnerships and collaborative research.
Risks:
o Potential dilution of proprietary technology.
o Dependence on licensees for successful commercialization.
o Legal and competitive risks associated with IP disputes.
Sustaining Alnylam’s IP and Licensing Strategy:
1. Continuous Innovation: Invest in R&D to expand and strengthen the patent portfolio.
2. Strategic Partnerships: Form alliances with key players to enhance technological
capabilities and market reach.
3. Rigorous IP Management: Regularly review and update IP strategies to address
emerging challenges and opportunities.
4. Aggressive Enforcement: Protect IP rights through proactive legal measures against
infringement.
Does Merck Need a License from Alnylam?
Yes, Merck would need a license from Alnylam if it intends to use technologies covered by
Alnylam’s RNAi patents. This ensures Merck can legally develop and commercialize RNAi-
based therapeutics without infringing on Alnylam’s IP rights.
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