Intellectual Property Books

Wow, Joy Butler has just made our lives easier. The Permission Seeker's Guide Through the Legal Jungle is a user-friendly, detailed, wealth of knowledge for authors, producers and anyone who wants to use copyrighted material. I've written 4 books and had to wind my way through the jungle of permissions on my own, which was tedious and painful (news flash, your publisher doesn't track that stuff down for you and YOU are legally responsible for any inapporpriate use of material your use in your books and productions.) Thank you Joy for making every book I write in the future a breeze with your book now on my shelf right next to my desk.

Joy Butler's The Permission Seeker's Guide Through the Legal Jungle arrived promptly and I was blown away. The guide expertly covers rights, clearance issues, how to obtain clearance, minimizing risksThe Permission Seeker's Guide Through the Legal Jungle: Clearing Copyrights, Trademarks and Other Rights for Entertainment and Media Productions (Guide Through the Legal Jungle). It also has a section at the end for resources and forms. Butler enables the reader to navigate through complex issues with ease. Her style is comfortable. You can pick it up and read straight through or skip to the sections that are of immediate concern.

This book should be required reading for all of us creative industries. Sure wish I'd had it earlier!

Shannon Grissom
Author: Monkey Made of Sockies
Television Producer: Give Your Walls Some Soul!

Joy R. Butler is endlessly impressive as she charts and details all of the legal choices, decisions and ramifications behind being a producer: that higher stage of artist which combines talent and inspiration with the realities of the global marketplace. This is, definitely, a book for the artist who is taking their craft and their lives to that next level.

The degree to which she covers virtually every subject that could be covered re copyrights, permissions, trademarks, etc. is daunting. The book in fact is so detailed and voluminous that being shellshocked or momentarily disheartened as an artist will be inevitable. Showing once again how litigious our society is, amongst her many examples of interpretations of the law--and what artists and producers must contend with in that context--include the following: a treasured Muslim friend & assistant of Spike Lee unexpectedly suing him for the right to be considered a co-writer of his masterpiece MALCOLM X; and Eminem's fourth grade bully suing him to get a share of a song written about him being overcome later in life after it broke the Billboard charts! (And we wonder why stars can be so aloof.)

Butler does say at the outset, however, that there may be big chunks of the book not designed for you, given your artistic specialty. And indeed, every artistic specialty is covered: from visual arts to computer arts; dance to drama; music of all genres to literary works; videos to commercials, TV, cinema and documentaries.

You may walk away from this book thinking as I do: I gotta hire her as my lawyer! But either way, in the end, you'll walk away from this book feeling inspired, as the wealth of information provided supplies you with new ways to approach your work--beginning with the degree to which it is or isn't dependent on the inspiration and marketable work of others. Knowing your options regarding trademarks, copyrights, and other rights to use or transform works that have either come before you or are part of your individual and unique production teaches you how to think big time--really big time--as an artist. And helps make the inevitable success associated with taking this mindset on possible.

Highly recommended.

Serendipitously, I received entertainment and business attorney, Joy R. Butler's "The Permission Seeker's Guide through the Legal Jungle" when a good friend of mine was in the process of designing and launching his website. Knowing that he had some trademark issues ( he had recently come up with a logo for his goods and services and wanted to protect his intellectual property) I promptly handed over this book and awaited a detailed synopsis of his first hand experience with it.

His comments exceeded my initial impression of this guide. While my reading of the book revealed a tightly crafted compendium of situations and solutions that arise during the identification and elimination of rights clearance problems in media production ----think anything through which people communicate and express themselves i.e., film, video, television programs, newspapers, magazines, posters, computer games, comic books, paintings, photographs, fine art, advertisements, websites, sculptures, books, etc.--my friend's opinion waxed practical as he followed the steps to insure that his production contained no material that violated the rights of another person.

Specifically, he wanted to use a song and CD photo on a website that he had heard on a CD and change key lyrics to reflect and promote his product and personal enterprise. Author Butler explains how to identify the rights owner - in this case the owner of the recording and the photographer of the photograph used on the CD cover----and how to seek permission to use the music and the photo. Using Butler's techniques, my friend successfully accomplished his mission and both the edited song and the photo appear on his website without the fear of kindling a lengthy expensive and tiresome lawsuit.

Butler's guide is definitely well organized; the summary table of contents, the table of contents and the index lay out with an encyclopedic precision exactly what the book contains. She presents an overall format for using the book, defines and explains relevant rights and laws, relays clearance issues for each media type, details the process of clearing rights and seeking permission, while minimizing risks and protecting oneself from possible lawsuits. Specific information is extremely easy to find within this volume; all topics are comprehensive, well documented and easy to read and comprehend with procedural information as well as examples of up-to-date cases and court rulings.

Bottom Line? On a real and practical level, Joy R. Butler's "The Permission Seeker's Guide through the Legal Jungle" provides a wealth of information that every writer and publisher should own and reference to avoid rights clearance problems in any media production. Recommended highly for all those who need to know the law and make it work in their favor.
Diana Faillace Von Behren
"reneofc"

This book is written for publishers, writers, visual artists, muscians, music producers, film & TV producers, producers of Web sites and software, people, celebrities, and businesses. They all have or want intellectual property, and by reading this book they can learn how the commercial licensing of intellectual property works. The book has 28 chapters:

1. Guide to using this book
3. Copyright basics
4. Trademark basics
5. Common elements of privacy, publicity & defamation law
6. Right of privacy
7. Right of publicity
8. Defamation
9. Other relevant rights & laws
16. Getting organized (to seek permission)
17. Putting your own house in order
18. Submitting the request for permission
19. Negotiating the rights agreement
27. Methods of minimizing risks
28. Dealing with lawsuits

2. Checklist of clearance issues
CLEARANCE ISSUES FOR ...
10. Publishers & writers
11. Visual Artists
12. Musicians & music producers
13. Film, TV, & audio-visual producers
14. Producers of Web sites and software
15. Business
CLEARING RIGHTS AND SEEKING PERMISSION ...
20. To use books & other printed material
21. To use visual art
22. To use music
23. To use film, TV, & video footage
24. To use Web site & software materials
25. With respect to people
26. To use trademarks, products, & locations

The numbers above correspond to the chapters as they are sequenced in the book. I have rearranged the chapters in the order in which I would have liked to have seen them included in the book. Also, I would have liked the book better if it had been split into two parts instead of six. Part A would have included the chapters "1-28" as cited herein above. And Part B would have included the chapters "2-26." As a result of the way the book was organized I almost gave it a 4-star rating. But this book really is a gem and full of content.

My favorite chapters were chapters 2 & 3 (intellectual property law) and chapters 6-9 (tort law). And chapters 18 and 19 were really good, too. Clearly much of the book is aimed at topics an entertainment lawyer handles in her legal practice. But from my perspective as a SCORE small business counselor I think chapters 3, 4, 10, 14, 15, 20, and 24-28 are the most relevant to my clients' concerns. 5 stars!

This is one of the most useful books I've read to date on bringing a product to market. It covers all the basics and then some. I have recommended it to all my friends!

People may joke that Tamara Monosoff became a millionaire with the help of suckers like me buying her book. THAT IS NOT THE CASE! She is an extremely intelligent and fascinating woman. If you cannot launch your own business after reading her book, it is in no way Tamara's fault. I am amazed at how much time and effort she obviously devoted to writing this book. Just when I would ask myself a question regarding something she wrote, she was answering it in the very next sentence. The book is FULL of helpful examples, websites, and addresses. I would STRONGLY recommend this book to anyone.

This book is well worth the money. Short and sweet review and gets to the point now go buy this book!

I thought the first thing I needed to do with my invention was make a prototype. NO! Tamera says the first thing I need to do is get a spiral notebook and keep a hand-written ledger of everything I do, chronologically, to protect myself in court. I NEVER would have thought of that.

She explains step by step what to do next and HOW to do it: how to do market research, patent research, etc. But most of all, she gets right to the meat of everything. Tamera does not fill up her pages with fluff to make a dreary fat book. She guides us through the steps and all the way, she recounts how one particular mom handled these steps. She also puts in so many other examples from other mom inventors along the way.

It seems so easy, and she is inspiring. When I was a stay home mom, I felt overwhelmed, and out of touch with the professional world. Husbands and family aren't always necessarily supportive. Tamera says don't let any of that hold you back: you are much smarter than you think, so get that idea to market!

This is such an amazing book. Tons of great information, advice, references, and examples. Reading this book has made me want to start my own business, rather than just try to sell my idea. It is overwhelming, but so exciting at the same time!!! Thank you so much for such an incredible guide!!!!

"The Complete Guide to Securing Your Own U.S. Patent" by Jamaine Burrell takes the inventor on a journey from concept to marketplace, and covers everything else in between.
An easy-to-follow guide, the complicated topic of patenting is simplified by Burell. It offers practical advice and instructions, tips and examples. It will undoubtedly help any inventor learn the ropes of filing, protecting and maintaining a U.S. patent.
Imagine life without the cell phone or home computer. Without those technologies, modern-day life would be very different. For those inventors, patenting was an important process.
With this book, patenting doesn't have to be a mysterious task. Even the lay person can file a patent.
Whether the inventor has created a new medicine, a breed of fruit, machinery, or computer software, they will want to protect their invention and make sure it finds its way to market. This will give them the knowledge to actually do so.
It also discusses copywrites, trade marks and trade secrets. The guide, with companion CD-ROM, could easily help the inventor bring the next big need or necessity into the mainstream.
5 stars

For anyone who's ever held off on really running with a great idea because the process of getting a patent seemed too daunting, this book is the next best thing to having an expert hold your hand and personally take you through all the steps.

The author begins with a straightforward overview of what the book is designed to do and then follows through on all counts, beginning with the basics of what patents are all about and why they're so important. Also discussed in great detail are the elements of intellectual property, the processes of invention, and the steps to establishing patent ownership, including patent searches, filing a patent application, and protecting your patents. Although the book's main focus is patents, other intellectual property assets including copyrights, trademarks, and trade secrets are also covered. Also included is a CD-ROM with all the forms and checklists necessary for filing a patent.

Patent law is complex, and hiring a patent attorney can be costly. This book will not only help inventors protect their inventions and ideas, it can save them money along the way.

The Complete Guide to Securing Your Own U.S. Patent by Jamaine Burrell is truly a complete reference source for deciphering the puzzle of securing a U.S. patent. At times, the complexity of the process boggled my mind, but the author cuts to the chase and gives good descriptions of legal requirements, definitions, specific info for certain states plus details on the various types of patents, intellectual property, inventions, copyrights and trademarks and more.

After describing many details, he gives complete instructions that would enable a layperson to do a patent search, fill out the applications and save plenty of money in attorney's fees. Of course, it is a long and extremely detailed process that could easily be messed up by not paying strict attention to details. The appendix includes a variety of information, including PTO fees and copyright fees, plus info on countries participating in certain conventions for those who may wish to pursue international patents or copyrights.

Overall, the book gives an excellent overview of the patent process, and I would recommend the do-it-yourself method for the most dedicated of souls, of which I am not one. I would either have to hire an attorney, or miss out on my big patent.

If you've ever had a big idea, then you need this book on Patents. This book thoroughly covers the U.S. Patent process from applying for a patent, to protecting your rights under a patent. I especially found the sections on marketing and making money on inventions and intellectual property very helpful in building my own WEALTH. I feel that the book gave me the new-found ability to transfer my intellectual property into revenue generating assets. I highly recommend this book for anyone who thinks they might have thought of the next big thing.

Jamaine Burrell's "The Complete Guide to Securing Your Own U.S. Patent: A Step-by-Step Road Map to Protect Your Ideas and Inventions" is exactly that -- a clear, linear, easily read map for the serious U.S. inventor.

Given the intricate rules currently regulating patent law, the odds of the independent inventor falling victim to complex legalese and misinterpretations thereof are great; here, however, Burrell has compiled a well-organized breakdown of the data needed to take your invention from idea to execution and beyond. With such resources as fee schedules, government links, and even a state-by-state guide of patent and trademark depository libraries, this accurate (and priceless!) exploration of the business side of inventions will no doubt simplify the daunting, often-arduous, patent process. Indeed, it may even save the savvy inventor thousands of dollars by circumventing the need for attorney interpretation. It is this interpretation and no-nonsense advice, in particular, that are instrumental to this book's success as a reference for copyright, royalty, and filing criteria; as an added bonus, the companion CD-Rom even includes the checklists and forms required for an individual patent application!

Although the creative process is inarguably the "fun" part of inventions, it is a fact that the legalities of U.S. patent procedure are an integral -- if not the most integral -- step in the American inventor's journey. "The Complete Guide to Securing Your Own U.S. Patent: A Step-by-Step Road Map to Protect Your Ideas and Inventions" can certainly smooth the path toward turning your invention into a reality.

This is an excellent introduction on patent law basics. I found it extremely easy to read and understand the concepts of patent law. I will use it as a reference guide in my future analysis of patents. I would strongly recommend this book to those individuals not accustomed to reading patents.

I am Japanese. This book is the best for foreign students or professionals who begin to study US patent law. Plain English and clear points. Thank you!

I read this, along with many other books from amazon on patent law, in order to prepare for the patent bar exam as inexpensively as possible. Well, as they say, you get what you pay for. I ended up not passing. I used OmniPrep to prepare the second time around, and passed with no problem.

By far the most useful and best written overview of patent law I have found. Very good as both an introduction for those new to the field and a review for those already involved. Good value for money.

As a non-Japanese person, I found this book to be very clear and concise. Serves as a great starting point for someone wanting to learn a great deal about the current state of US patent law.

This book is so crammed with info and knowledge coupled with insight into practices of the industry and courts its like attending a credited law school.With basic torts and concideration of all parts and many elemental workings of the industry.It is a must have.

This is comprehensive & each chapter was written by another expert, so you're bound to like something!

This can be a substitute to the book: "Everything You Need To Know About The Music Business" (Donald Passman)

This book was a required text in my Legal Problems of the Recording Industry class. I'm passionate about the music industry and can give a good debate, but am far from being a "legal mind." This text is great for those, like me, are not the best students in legal courses. This text breaks down real contracts/ agreements into easy to understand formats, section by section. If it wasn't for this text I wouldn't have made an A in the course. This book should be required reading for those in the music business as well as the musicians who will be facing these agreements. Plus, it's like my professor said 'remember, everything is negotiable - don't get screwed in your contract!'

People think music business is all about creation and keeping the fans happy. Well it mostly is but a young artist can become stuck in all that legal stuff. For somebody who is new that can be very difficult and people could take advantage of this and try to cheat you so this book is about all the legal involved aspects of the music business. This book will offer you a detailed explanation of everything that concerns the people in the music business. After you read it you will know what to avoid and understand the issues as they are explained in an easy and franc manner.

I bought this book to fill out my music law library. Among the many books I have read are Passman's book "Everything You Need to Know About the Music Industry", "This Business of Music", and even Moses Avalon's more gritty book "Confessions of a Record Producer." While all of these books provide a great deal helpful information to understanding the music business, they are not really books that contain samples of what the actual contracts look like.

I bought The Musician's Business and Legal Guide a while back just because of the sample contracts. After sorting through the plentiful boilerplate contracts, I found that the information prefacing the agreements, i.e. that actual chapter contents, were even more invaluable than the contracts, which in themselves are pretty thorough. While I use my own hybrid, individualized contracts for the entertainment clients I represent through my law practice, I find myself constantly flipping back to this book as a reference since it covers such a wide range of information. In addition, the annotations in the sample contracts helps to illustrate the degrees of flexibility usually available to those contracts and what the terms actually mean.

This book is definitely not, as another reviewer stated, a book that you set out to read from cover to cover like Passman's book, but it works tremendously well as a reference to go to from time to time. My copy is highlighted and marked all up (and I'm one who normally writes in books).

The value of this book seriously exceeds its cost, and I would recommend it to anyone wanting to see how the concepts discussed in other music business books play out legally.

Finally, here's an all-inclusive, easy-to-understand book about issues of intellectual property, copyright, trademarks, online works, the Fair Use doctrine, contracts, agreements, and more. By using helpful symbols and clearly written descriptions, these legal experts provide, in one volume, a wealth of information critical for authors to know. With a little patience, anyone can understand the information the Evans attorneys provide.

They also cover issues such as privacy, domain names, a brief history of intellectual property law, and information about pending legislation. I found the section on agreements for Publishing, Collaboration, and Licensing especially helpful. I did not realize that each book also comes with a CD-ROM containing sample forms and contracts-an extra added bonus that makes this book an invaluable resource all writers, new and experienced, should invest in. Highly recommended.

Insightful and Effective would be the best two words to describe the advantages of this book. This book lays out literary law in a non-complex way that is very easy to grasp. Dangerous publishing coups could be avoided by implementing all of the book's stratagies when applicable. The details about electronic rights has really enabled me to see the full value of my children's books. Since reading the book, I surveyed many author friends of mine who unbeknownst to them, had signed away valuable electronic rights that their publisher stand to make a bundle on. Also, being told the vast difference between copyrights and trademarks saved me a lot of money that I would have spent needelessly on protecting my products when in fact I had already taken the proper steps. This book takes the paranoia out of negotiating with publishers and has taught me the precious lesson of knowing that everything is truly negotiable, especially when it's your property at stake. I tell everyone I meet about this book.

I had the absolute pleasure of meeting Tonya Marie Evans at the Book Expo of America in Washington DC this year and she is a smart, enthusiastic, driven woman. This book should be required reading for anyone wishing or thinking about writing and publishing a book. This book will help you understand the process in plain english. This book clearly explains complicated legal issues, offers examples and answers your questions. This is a book you will want to keep on your desk and refer back to again and again. I recommend this to each person who sends me a book to review or asks me any type of publishing question.

Literary Law Guide for Authors is my 'gold medal'. I treasure this well-written and VERY easy-to-read book! I've written (self-published) a children's book and currently writing a spiritual anthology. In both cases, I desperately needed contract forms and from searching the internet and communicating briefly with the author, I ordered this book. The forms section (in addition to the CD) included every bit of information I needed to create and provide a professional looking contract. I just can't say enough of this book. TIMELY. WELL-WRITTEN. INFORMATIVE.

buy it!!!

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. I think it does a wonderful job of describing the law and legal issues that an author should know about if they are going to take full advantage of their work product. Knowing the information contained in this book will most assuredly help a small business owner who creates publications to market her company and/or to provide herself with credibility. Definitely a must read for any infopreneur, too!

Interestingly the subject matter included in this book is fairly simple on the grand scheme of things regarding the law. I don't remember a course at either of my law schools that focused on this material. There certainly was a course on Intellectual Property, but that subject is larger than what this book covers. That course covers the real meat of intellectual property: Patent Law. Authors don't need to concern themselves with that subject.

My favorite parts of the book were chapters 2 (Copyright), 4 (Fair Use & Permissions), 7 (Trademark), and 10 (A Brief History of Intellectual Property). I'm glad chapters 3, 8, and 12-14 were included, too. Those talked about how to apply for IP protection with the US Copyright and US Trademark offices, as well as basics about the law of contracts and agreements.

I also enjoyed poking around the Net to learn a bit about the author. I only did this because of the way the author wrote her book. She included herself as part of the book's content. She is a somewhat young attorney who has an athletic background and clearly a drive to be a successful entrepreneur. The world would be a better place if there were more women like her.

I would have enjoyed the book more if it had not been ALL law. For example, while it is true that an author gets substantial protection from registering her copyright so she can sue and get damages. Most writings don't merit filing for such protection. I think it should have been pointed out that some writings don't really need the full range of protection, while others certainly do. If I write a 10-page ebook that helps me market my Web site. Do I really care if someone steals that from me? Probably not. But if I write a 170-page booklet that I sell at my seminars and workshops, then I better register my copyright because some real effort went into that publication and my seminars need it for credibility. I'd be at a loss if someone stole it. Things like this could have been included in the instant book being reviewed to make it better. 5 stars!

This is a very good intro to patent law. It covers the essentials of 35 USC 101, 102, 103, 112 with clear language and essential case histories. It's not enough to pass the patent bar, but it's an excellent place to get an overview and foundation before going on to more detailed patent bar study materials. It's also good for reviewing concepts for practicing patent professionals. It is focussed mainly on the law, meaning it does not cover many of the administrative issues related to prosecuting patents, but it covers the law well and clearly.
Spying On The College Of Your Choice

Although the purpose of the book is not to prepare readers for the patent bar it does so anyways, especially Chapters 600 and 700 of the MPEP which are the most challenging and analytical and also the most heavily tested. It also goes into the basics of reissue and reixamination as well as international agreements governing patent prosecution.

If you are reading the book solely to prepare for the Patent Bar skip the three chapters at the end on infringement since this involves litigation and is not tested on the exam. I loved the multitude of examples and the history of how the laws were developed. Makes studying for the test a lot more enjoyable.

I read this to prep me for the patent bar exam, which was not a good choice. It's a great book for a law student trying to cram for patent law course exams, but I recommend OmniPrep for passing the patent bar exam, if that's what you're trying to do.

It really gives me a whole picture of what patent law is about. I bought this book for my patent bar exam.It might not be the great book for that. It helps me, however, understand basic concepts and clarify many confusions in patent preparation and prosecution. I've heard that it's quite helpful for law students studying patent law, and even beyond school.

I bought this book to get the fundamentals of the patent bar exam. That was not a wise choice, but it is still a good book for other matters such as basic patent fundamentals. I actually skimmed through much of the book picking up key terms used in it for the patent bar exam however so that was good. It is also a great intro book to understand patents, drafting them, and prosecuting them. I recommend it to anyone.

I've been CTO for several venture backed startups for the last few gigs. So if like me you want to prepare an application draft as thoroughly as possible before you call your attorney (and open your wallet) then this book will pay for itself on the first chapter. Like when it comes to having my car fixed, I don't do what the mechanic (or expert) does for a living, but I sure want to understand his rationale and learn from him. That's what this book does for the reader. Take one giant leap forward in undertanding the language, strategy and reasoning of the pros and enjoy the insights and confidence that comes with an enhaced command of the art.

Invention Analysis and Claiming: A Patent Lawyer's Guide As an entrepreneur, I found Ronald Slusky's book supremely helpful! We have numerous inventions at my startup company, and we needed a 'language' for communicating with our patent counsel so that our ideas would be more efficiently conveyed. And Ron's book fit the bill! I highly recommend it to any technology company who works with patent counsel. It will save them a lot of time - and money!

I strongly recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn to draft valuable, enforceable patent claims. The book is very well written and very clear, and the examples are thoughtfully chosen. I learned much of what I know about elevating patent prosecution to an art form from the author, and this book contains his expert insights. I have personally benefited from this book and intend to buy it for each of my associates.

I read this book and immediatly manadated that all of my attorneys read it as well. I also recommended it as essential reading for my law school students. Ron may call himself "old school" but in my opinion his way of thinking about patent claims is the only correct way. I've employed and taught Ron's claim drafting strategies for many years and although I might hate to admit it, I learned a lot from this book.

I wish I had this book when I was first starting out 17 years ago. Instead, I read the claim construction decisions and learned on the job. Claim drafting really is an art form and Ron's book gives you the framework necessary to begin crafting patent claims with a purpose.

I was thinking about writing a text book about how to draft patent applications, but now I'm not so sure I could add much to what Ron has written.

Kirk Teska, author of Patent Savvy for Managers: Spot & Protect Valuable Innovations in Your Company

I'm a newly minted patent associate. I've seen other massive tomes around on drafting basics. I'm aware that the bosses rarely have time to initiate a tutorial for the associates. So, what's the solution? I just happened to read an ABA pitch for Slusky's book and picked it up. What a book it is!

It's not easy to take complex subject matter and distill it down into its key components while being educational and keeping the pace light, but dare I say as a novice patent attorney, that Slusky seems to have accomplished just that. I don't know the man, but I couldn't help but think as I read this book that he was standing over my shoulder at my desk, shepherding me along.

It's so clear to me: read with a goal--begin with the problem/solution and keep it in your head throughout your drafting. Slusky's mantra has made it seem so much easier. And isn't that the mark of a good teacher after all, substituting mastery for mystery?

Some people don't learn by reading, but by doing. Fair enough, but this book, unlike its more massive brethren in the field, packs more useable knowledge per page and in an enjoyable style to read, than the others ever could.

Thanks. I feel ready to tackle the most challenging of patent apps!

Harrison & Davis offer intellectual property (IP) professionals - including IP attorney's seeking to advocate for their client - a better and more effective understanding of how to manage IP as a strategic business asset. Unlike other books on the subject, Edison, and it's sequel, "Einstein in the Boardroom" (2006), offers rare pragmatic advise with evidence-based outcomes from a community of IP-savvy companies on the benefits of becoming proactive in identifying, protecting and leveraging all forms of intellectual capital to address strategic business objectives.

Julie Davis and Suzanne Harrison's book, Edison in the Boardroom, takes readers deep enough into the field of intellectual property management for them to incorporate presented theories into their respective professional disciplines - researcher, attorney, licensing exec, etc. - without the book becoming unwieldy. Excellent balance. This book can become a cornerstone text for any professional involved with intellectual property to direct his or her focus for additional study and to ensure his or her working knowledge of the challenges confronting professionals in other disciplines that together form a corporate intellectual property management program.

Professor Thomas G. Field, Jr., Franklin Pierce Law Center

Few variables are more likely to dictate short- and long-term commercial success than a firm's ability to convert intellectual assets into intellectual property (IP). The smaller the firm, the bigger the need, and the need only grows.
Most companies are careful to avoid IP infringement and are eager to sue direct competitors who do not. Many firms also educate key employees on their roles in perfecting and protecting intangible assets. Fewer give full attention to IP and antecedents that might nevertheless be regarded as assets. For example, those who would not hesitate to monitor and sue infringing competitors may not monitor non-competitors as potential licensees.
To extract the most from intellectual assets, many factors, e.g., legal, technical marketing and sales, must be weighed. Edison in the Boardroom offers important advice to help firms take steps to meet that need. Despite its reference to "assets" in the subtitle, however, most of this book focuses more narrowly - on IP, and on patents specifically.
Davis and Harrison, said to bring "a quarter century of IP consulting accomplishments between them," document that some companies have long engaged in trying to optimize the value of their intellectual assets. The authors also assign companies to a five-level hierarchy based on a range of IP-management strategies. A goldmining metaphor is usefully advanced at one point to describe those levels as: defensive (staking claims), panning (cost control), mining (deeper profit seeking), processing (integration), and sculpting. The heart of the book consists of five chapters that discuss these levels seriatim and offers a host of useful ideas and anecdotes.
The book is generally well-structured. For example, early in each of the five core chapters is a description of what "companies are trying to accomplish" at the corresponding level of IP-management sophistication. At the defensive level, of course, companies have processes for seeking, maintaining and enforcing IP. Yet, in the discussion of second-level companies, said to seek to reduce costs by exercising judgment about what is brought into and kept in their patent portfolios, it becomes clear how much various levels overlap. The first two topics may usefully be segregated for purposes of discussion, but it is hard to imagine any company that can afford, literally, to pursue protection without attempting to balance portfolio goals against concomitant costs. Indeed, one thesis of the second chapter is that no firm can seek the strongest protection for everything of potential patentability, much less seek it in every possible country.
The third chapter diverges considerably. Companies featured there are said to seek, e.g., to extract portfolio value as quickly and cheaply as possible. Several have gone well beyond suing competitors or easily discovered, non-competing infringers. The most aggressive of such firms regard IP departments as profit centers and actively solicit licensees. Their success is sometimes remarkable. As the authors point out, "Worldwide revenues from patent licensing have grown from $15 billion in 1990 to over $100 billion in 2000." Echoing the central theme of another recent book, Davis and Harrison also point out that, "Some experts estimate that companies are sitting on $1 trillion per year in unexploited licensing fees."
Fourth- and fifth-level firms are difficult to distinguish from ones discussed earlier - or from each other. For example, level-four companies are said to seek to integrate "IP awareness and operations throughout all functions of the company." That seems necessary, too, for allegedly less capable compatriots. Further, when level-five firms are described as embedding intellectual assets and their management into the company culture, it is difficult to find divergence.
The last are said to have as additional objectives: (1) staking a claim on the future and (2) encouraging "disruptive technologies." Still, these could easily been collapsed into "Get a Crystal Ball!" Heuristics for meeting them non-serendipitiously are weak.
Consider, for example, the mouse and graphic interface as commercialized on Macintosh computers. Steve Jobs is said to have derived both from the Alto computer developed by Xerox's Palo Alto Research Center. While Jobs became a billionaire, "Xerox completely failed to get into the personal computer business, missing one of the biggest business opportunities in history." To avoid repeating such mistakes, Davis and Harrison suggest that companies should "identify ways the corporation can benefit from [ideas outside their business capacity] before moving on." They, not surprisingly, can offer little guidance.
One IP attorney recently stressed the need for his colleagues better to understand the identification, protection and use of intellectual capital "effectively to address strategic corporate objectives." Those for whom this is novel terrrain will find Edison in the Boardroom helpful.
Also, senior IP counsel better acquainted with the topic may find the book useful. Some will face difficulty in convincing those at the same level or higher in the corporate hierarchy of its importance. To the extent that their advocacy of the critical role to be played by IP counsel is perceived as serving selfish aims, the book should help allay suspicions.
For these and other attorneys, the value of Edison in the Boardroom could easily, and vastly, exceed its modest price.

The basic concept of this book is very intriguing: Briefly examine the life and career of Thomas Edison and then suggest direct correlations between his achievements with real-world situations in which various companies are now deriving substantial value from their intellectual capital. The authors also make skillful use of Edison's own recorded thoughts and feelings. Of special interest to me was what he had to say about the creative process. For example, "Men are just beginning to propose questions and find answers, and we may be sure that no matter what question we ask, so long as it is not against the laws of nature, a solution can be found." This what the author refer to as "The Edison Mindset." Edison apparently had almost no concern about a given experiment's "failure" which he continued to view, rather, as non-success to that stage. Too often, senior-level executives become preoccupied with results and neglect the process by which they can be achieved. Among Edison's greatest (and perhaps least appreciated) achievements was the establishment of the first research laboratory in which he and his associates would collaborate on various projects. Edison was a pioneer in recognizing the importance of assembling the best available talent and providing them with sufficient resources as well as a culture wherein those talents could be fully utilized. Davis and Harrison obviously have this point in mind when observing that "benchmarking best practices without any regard for the underlying culture of the firm can be problematic."

NOTE: For those interested in this subject, I highly recommend Organizing Genius in which Bennis and Biederman examine the collaborative efforts of those involved at the Disney studios which produced so many animation classics; at Xerox's Palo Alto Research Center (PARC) which developed the first personal computer; at Apple Computer which then took it to market; at the so-called "War Room" which helped to elect Bill Clinton President in 1992; those active in the so-called "Skunk Works" where so many of Lockheed's greatest designs were formulated; at Black Mountain College which "wasn't simply a place where creative collaboration took place. It was about creative collaboration"; and at Los Alamos (NM) and the University of Chicago where the Manhattan Project eventually produced a new weapon called "the Gadget."

This is an extremely well-organized and well-written book in which Davis and Harrison use the life and career of Edison for guidance to understanding subjects of major importance today such as breakthrough innovation, collaborative effort, the development and management of intellectual property, and effective organizational transformation. They suggest that companies (indeed all organizations) function in one or more of five levels which comprise "the hierarchy of value" for intellectual property, a model created at Andersen's Intellectual Property Management Practice and then at ICMG:

1. Defensive: "If a corporation owns an intellectual asset (such as a great business concept), it can prevent competitors from using the asset."

2. Cost Control: "Companies focus on how to reduce the costs of filing and maintaining their IP portfolios."

3. Profit Center: "Having learned how to control many of their patent-related costs, companies at this level turn their attention to more proactive strategies that can generate millions of dollars of additional revenues while further continuing to trim costs.'

4. Integrated Level: In this level the IP function ceases to focus on self-centered activities and reaches outwardly beyond its own department to serve a greater purpose within the organization as a whole."

5. Visionary Level: "Few companies have reached this level of looking outside the company and into the future. In this level, the IP function, having already become deeply ingrained in the company, takes on the challenge of identifying future trends in the industry and consumer preferences."

After an excellent Introduction, the authors devote a separate chapter to each of the five Levels and then provide a case study of the Dow Chemical Company, followed by three appendices: Mining a Portfolio for Value, Competitive Assessment, and Integrated Performance Reporting. They suggest all manner of similarities and differences between and among these five Levels, in process suggesting also a wealth of strategies and tactics to consider when attempting to achieve the desired results at any of these Levels.

To a greater extent now than at any prior time in human history, with all due respect to major developments such as the light bulb, telephone, automobile, and personal computer, corporations (indeed entire societies) seek "exciting, new, novel, and discontinuous innovations....For centuries, companies have linked ideas and money by embedding their new ideas (legally protected or not) into products to be sold or bartered. Today, however, an exciting new concept is revolutionizing the way companies extract value from their ideas: an idea no longer needs to be embedded into a product or service to create value. Today ideas are licensed, sold, or bartered in their raw state for great value." And they are getting that value through intellectual property management (IPM). Hence the importance of encouraging and supporting "The Edison Mindset."

Here in a single volume, the authors provide a comprehensive, cohesive, and cost-effective program. It remains for decision-makers in any organization now considering or at work on the design of an IPM to select whatever material in the book is most appropriate to their organization's specific needs. One value-added benefit of this book is that Davis and Harrison can assist with that selection process. A point made earlier, however, deserves repeating: "benchmarking best practices without any regard for the underlying culture of the firm can be problematic."

The authors provide an excellent framework for companies to manage their intellectual property - without using too much consultant speak.

They quote examples at different levels of their framework and look at companies who are suceeding at managing and valuing their IP effectively. This is a skill which can only be more and more wanted in the future.

The most interesting takeaway is that most companies are very bad in this field, and there are very few success stories.

I found Patent Pro Se to be concise, relevant, and to the point. And the point is, if you have purchased this book that you have a provisional patent to file. Correctly stated, Patent Pro Se is far more than a "book". It is a focused mentor of the most important knowledge, a provider of exactly the right forms, and a hand holder in getting the process complete. In my situation I had been working with the "Inventor's Notebook" portion of the package for about a week when I had a lunch meeting about my invention with my in-real-life patent council. I told him I had a meeting with potential project collaborators at 3:00 that afternoon. He said, "Jim, I will be glad to do your regular patent, but before you go to that meeting you really need a provisional patent submitted." I went back to my office and in the space of 2 hours, Patent Pro Se handheld me through the forms and I made it to the post office with my submission contained inside their conveniently addressed mailer. I was a bit late to my meeting, but my technology was officially "Patent Pending". Notably, Patent Pro Se was very explicit on how your preparation style affects the strengths and weaknesses of a provisional patent. Because of that, I was able to give it my best shot and know exactly where I stand with no illusions. Because of its completeness in tending to an intellectual property emergency, I would call this a Patent First Aid Kit. It is not a "hospital", but it will get you through the next meeting without bleeding IP all over the place.

Robert Deaver (my husband) writes, "I consider this a must buy book for patent applicatsions written by a highly successful patent pro.
It is head and shoulders over three other similar books I have bought on the same subject.
The organization of the contents is the easiest to use and at the same time the most precise and literate coverage I have ever seen. There is no ambiguity in any sentence.
It covers tiny details of all requirements for preliminary and final patent applications. Detailed requirements to apply for applications are covered as well as form, content and even address labels to the patent office are included."

Patent Pro Se will save many times its cost in attorney's fees, as it clearly addresses the basic legal parameters, terminology and strategies that must be employed by the successful inventor. Included is a provisional filing checklist, cover sheet and even a return postcard, as well as fee transmittal and patent assignment forms, a non-disclosure agreement, and samples of product sell and patent license letters. If that's not enough, Patent Pro Se also includes samples of patent applications and an actual issued patent, an addressed envelope, two compact disks, an Inventor's Notebook and a three-ring binder to keep everything organized. I found the CDs especially helpful, as I was able to hear the text of the manual while driving around town between appointments. Very convenient and informative.

I am writing this review as someone who is actively designing products and trying to protect them. Even though I have already submitted provisional patent applications before, I am now resubmitting them based on the guidelines in this book. It really is the clearest and most understandable guide on the subject that I have come across. The fact that it provides useful sample documents such as an NDA, and relevant forms, shows that the author is accurately predicting the real-world situations designers and inventors encounter at this stage of development.

This book explains in a concise and effective way the patent laws and filing process. It is an invaluable tool for the entrepreneur who wants to protect her idea during the product development phase. The book describes how to prepare a Provisional Patent Application and file the documents with the USPTO. The book contains a lot of good examples of dos and don'ts and all forms you must fill to file your PPA. It even includes the envelope to send the express mail! I completed my process in less than a week and I have already received back my filing number from the USPTO.