Combinations of IP Tools from the Angle of Existing Software Licensing Options *

Transcription

1 Combinations of IP Tools from the Angle of Existing Software Licensing Options * Contribution to the AIPPI World IP Congress, Paris 3-6 Oct Dr. Bernhard Fischer Senior IP Attorney SAP AG * This presentation reflects the personal opinion of the author

2 Premises Relevant business background Software business models are converging; fine-tuned orientation along particular circumstances appears more appropriate to define licensing options IP types relevant for software (what are the IP tools?) Note these remain subject to critical political debates Licensing options for software (how to leverage the IP tools) Common designations like copyright./. copyleft, open source./. proprietary software are too simplistic to describe existing licensing options SAP 2010, Dr. Bernhard Fischer Page 2

3 Relevant Business Background (1) Converging Software Business Models There is a clear trend to mixed business models The same product may be alternatively available under copyleft or under commercial license OSS models may generate no less revenues through services, contractual constructions based on copyright, trademarks and/or certification Commercial licenses may include both closed source and OSS components Also commercial licenses may choose to disclose source code Specification Implementation Closed Source Software Open Source Software SAP 2010, Dr. Bernhard Fischer Page 3

4 Relevant Business Background (2) Particular Circumstances In a landscape of blurring lines, orientation along business models appears inappropriate to define licensing options Particular circumstances may serve for better orientation FIELD --commercial area --research cooperation -- PURPOSE --product evaluation --full software product license --consultancy; service and support --cross-license, (strategic) partnership, joint venture PARTIES --business customer/end user --partner, reseller --consider branch and size Text SCOPE, IMPLEMENTATION --solutions and degree of customisation needed --degree of interoperability needed --hardware, databases, user Text administration, pricing, etc. SAP 2010, Dr. Bernhard Fischer Page 4

5 IP Types Relevant for Software Copyright Trade Name / Trade Marks Trade Secrets IP Types Design Protection Know-how Patents SAP 2010, Dr. Bernhard Fischer Page 5

6 Licensing Options IP Tool Combination Example (1) Software product license for business customer Licensing Object IP Combination Purposes Software/ accompanying documentation Underlying technology, concepts*, processes* Copyright Patents*, know-how, trade secrets Use license Use license* Source code (if disclosed) Copyright, trade secret Further development, adjustments (at own risk) *Typically, patents are only implicitly licensed here; other IP types prevail where patents cannot be obtained on abstract concepts, or on pure business methods SAP 2010, Dr. Bernhard Fischer Page 6

7 Licensing Options IP Tool Combination Example (2) Certified Partner Agreement Licensing Object IP Combination Purposes Logo, product designation Software/ accompanying documentation, knowledge Tools* Source code (if disclosed) Trade name, trade mark Copyright, knowhow Patents, knowhow Copyright, trade secret Use of logo etc. upon certification Installation, maintenance, consultancy, etc. Customisation, further development, service/support Customisation, further development, adjustments * IP, including patents, might play an increased role here SAP 2010, Dr. Bernhard Fischer Page 7

8 Licensing Options IP Tool Combination Example (3) Strategic Partnership Licensing Object IP Combination Purposes Software/ accompanying documentation, knowledge Copyright, knowhow Development outsourcing, common development Underlying and resulting IP as such* Copyright, patents*, knowhow, trade secrets Future use and marketing of development results * IP may play a major role here; likewise, other IP types may prevail where patents cannot be obtained SAP 2010, Dr. Bernhard Fischer Page 8

9 Thank you!

10 Backup: Pure Business Method Patent Application (Example) SAP 2010, Dr. Bernhard Fischer Page 10 T 0154/04 (Duns Licensing Associates): Rejected under Art. 52 (2) (c) EPC schemes, rules, and methods of doing business (reasons 18 21) [Emphasis added for illustrative purposes]