Companies involved in intellectual property development have need of systems, procedures and controls for identifying, protecting and managing these new assets.  Proof of this statement can be seen by observing, among other things:

• Competitive advantage is a pillar of business success and ownership of intellectual property including trademarks, copyrights, patents and trade secrets builds competitive advantage.
• Business investors often inquire early and extensively into the extent and quality of a company's intellectual property holdings before investing.

Company personnel do not automatically appreciate the procedures required to acquire, enhance and leverage intellectual property assets.  But, key employees have important roles to play.  For example:

• Management:  Inetllectual Property Committee Procedures
• Human Resources:  Confidentiality & Invention Assignment Agreements
• Engineering:  Invention Management Procedures, Invention Disclosures, Engineering Notebooks
• Marketing:  Selection of Trademarks, Trademark Use Manuals, Web Site Development
• Legal:  All of the above and Licensing in and out
  

Ocean Law trains key employees in each of these areas as to legal documentation required and the use of that documentation.