Should We Patent That?

Director Peter A. Jackman is giving a presentation titled “Should We Patent That?” during the 2022 AFCC Global Biobased Economy Conference in National Harbor, MD on Tuesday, November 8, 2022. He will present during Session 6: Production of Sustainable Biomaterials and Consumer Products Promoted by Policy Strategies.

Presentation Overview

A company’s intellectual property is its number one asset. To preserve their place in the market, sustainable innovators must decide whether to patent their technology, keep their technology as a trade secret, or release their technology with the hope that the first mover advantage turns them into industry leaders. Selecting whether a patent or a trade secret is the right form of IP protection requires careful consideration, weighing the advantages and disadvantages of both options. Adding to the mix for decision-makers, recent guidance from the U.S. Supreme Court and the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has left many in the industry wondering whether their technologies are even eligible for patent protection. The presentation will focus on the factors that should be considered when determining how to protect sustainable innovations, and particularly whether to patent or keep as a trade secret.