Digitalization is a driving force for innovation like no other phenomenon; it enables new forms of cooperation between companies – regardless of size – and other market participants. In such collaborations, companies can focus on their own core competencies. The business idea is then either developed jointly with other market participants or the know-how of the other cooperation partners is additionally utilized to optimally implement the new business idea.
These forms of cooperation are also a priority in the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy's "Digital Strategy 2025." One of the "10 Steps into the Future" is as follows:
“Initiate a new era of entrepreneurship: Supporting start-ups and promoting cooperation between young and established companies.”
These forms of cooperation have great potential, but also raise legal questions:
- In the context of “collaborative creation,” who owns the respective “idea contribution” and who has the rights to the new business idea?
- Is the protection of the idea through a time-limited but published right (e.g. patent) preferable to keeping the business idea secret as a trade secret?
- What role do contractual provisions play regarding confidentiality and the protection of the (joint) business idea?
Dr. Peter Koch and Dr. Thomas Farkas, attorneys at the renowned international law firm Gowling WLG, provide answers to these questions. They also analyze, in particular, the EU's proposed directive on the protection of trade secrets.
About the speakers:
- Dr. Thomas J. Farkas, LL.M. (Queen Mary University of London) is a lawyer specializing in trademark, design, and copyright law, as well as competition law. In addition to advising on intellectual property rights, he advises clients ranging from startups and SMEs to DAX-listed companies on all related issues, particularly in the luxury and consumer goods sectors. In the area of IT law, he advises financial service providers on mobile payment methods, as well as distribution law, domain law, and contract drafting (e.g., licensing agreements).
- Dr. Peter Koch, LL.M. (Trinity College Dublin) is a specialist lawyer for intellectual property law, specializing in all aspects of this field. His practice focuses particularly on the litigation enforcement and defense of patents and other IP rights. As a litigator, he advises clients from various technology sectors, including in cross-border legal disputes and in connection with trade fairs. His expertise also includes strategic advice in the area of employee inventor rights.
Agenda:
- 7:30 a.m. Registration
- 8:00 a.m. Welcome & moderated introduction
- 8:55 a.m. Networking & Breakfast
- 9:10 a.m. Lecture: 'Trade Secret or Patent? – Cooperation Relationships and the Protection of Business Ideas'
- 9:45 a.m. Get together
What is a WakeUp!
WakeUp! is a networking event at Munich Network. Each WakeUp! focuses on a specific topic. A topic expert gives a 20-minute presentation and shares their personal experiences with the participants. All participants introduce themselves and also have the opportunity to share their own experiences, ideas, and perspectives on the day's topic with the other participants.
Attention! Opportunity for pitches
Are you looking for capital or partnerships? Then you can present your company at WakeUp! At each WakeUp!, the first three companies to register will have the opportunity to present their company and cause in a three-minute pitch with a maximum of three slides. Munich Network members have priority. Interested? Then call Eva Krebs (Munich Network) at +49 89 630253.36.
You can find more information about the event here.
