Scientists discover new ways to protect IP

Scientists discover new ways to protect IP

The Business Journal: Scientists discover new ways to protect IP - 2006-03-13

Scientists discover new ways to protect IP

The Business Journal of Phoenix - March 10, 2006
by Angela Gonzales


Jim Poulin/The Business Journal
Ribomed research associate Joanne Hunt documents, dates and signs her findings in a research notebook. Documenting intellectual property can be crucial to a successful patent application.

Scientists learn early on that protecting their intellectual property is crucial to their success.

Because the minute they get a patent, they're fighting to protect their exclusive right to use technology covered by the patent.

But patents aren't the only way a company can protect its intellectual property. They can follow in the footsteps of The Coca-Cola Co. and keep the information as a trade secret, guarding a secret formula from potential copycats. Sometimes, a simple copyright or trademark can help protect intellectual property.

A few years ago, local biotech companies looking for savvy attorneys to help protect their intellectual property headed to the East Coast. But now that Arizona's biotech market is beginning to blossom, several local law firms are luring these top IP attorneys to the Valley.

"For most companies that are in any kind of technology, intellectual property is often their most critical and most valuable asset," says Susan Stone Rosenfield, a registered patent attorney with the law firm of Fennemore Craig in Phoenix. "Oftentimes, it is their only asset. It really is necessary to make sure they take the appropriate steps to protect that technology."

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