IP Best Practices Forum Meets at U-M Innovation Partnerships

7/14/2017

In 1998 representatives from approximately 15 of the most well-respected, technology-driven global corporations came together to create the Intellectual Property Best Practices Forum to exchange best practices related to the commercialization of intellectual property. While membership in the organization has evolved over the past 20 years, the mission has remained the same – to facilitate meaningful conversation among a small group of “hands on” industry leaders on issues as IP trends, out-licensing technology, joint ventures, Supreme Court decisions, USPTO trends, and startups. The IP Best Practices Forum meet face-to-face, twice a year, and hold 1-hour conference calls quarterly.

In late April, members of the IP Commercialization Best Practices Forum, including senior representatives from Arconic, Boeing, DuPont, Harman, Nielsen, P&G, Rite-Hite Corporation, and Stryker convened at the offices of U-M Innovation Partnerships for their Spring face-to-face meeting. On behalf of U-M Innovation Partnerships, Keith Hughes, Assistant Director, and member of the IP Best Practices Forum for over 12 years, hosted the two-day event. Three (3) deep dive topics were discussed, “License on Transfer”, “Trade Secret Management”, and “Patent Portfolio Management”.  U-M Technologies were well represented by presentations from Dr. Nilton Renno (ice and water detection), Dr. Kang Shin (cyber security) and Dr. Jeff Sakamoto and Dr. Travis Thompson (solid state batteries). One featured guest was Dr. David Cole, noted automotive analyst, Chair Emeritus, Center for Auto Research and currently Chair, AutoHarvest. David closed out the meeting with a presentation on “The Auto Future: Fast, Furious and Uncertain”.