IPO on new products

[Brown and Boris]

I have the IPO on a web based product which it now looks like several other companies want me to take the basic working structure and replicate it for them but with different front ends (visual appearance and inputs) and back ends (outputs). The new product would use the basic existing structure which does the work in computing what they input to create the putput. They are looking to co-fund the new product with me and us share IPO. I guess it is a bit like I have the clever rotary engine and they pay to put different bodyshells on it, which I help them design. Without the engine they have nothing but a shell and I can sell the engine for other uses.


However, I am reluctant to develop a new product if they could claim a share of the IPO on the basic structure (engine) as that bit can and will drive many more products. I ned to separate out the engine from any other aspects for future variations.

The only way I can see around it is to share the IPO on the new front and back ends and licence the middle structural bit to them so that they get licence to use the prioduct how they want in that format but cannot replicate it or change it or use the middle bit in other applcatiojns because I have IPO on the middle structural bit. I would take a royalty for each use on the product and share in the profits/IPO of the front and back ends so I get paid for both my IPO on the original product through licence, and the new products through shared IPO. That way they get a 30 year licence (with approriate break points) on use within that product range only and have no IPO on the engine.

Any other ideas?

I am seeing how much an IPO lawyer would charge to advise but thought I would see what other ideas the PH massive have which might be simpler that this splitting and licensing?

[Route324]

Do you mean IPR (Intellectual Property Rights) rather than IPO (Initial Public Offering)?

[ukvoyager.info]

Route324 said:

Do you mean IPR (Intellectual Property Rights) rather than IPO (Initial Public Offering)?

Or he could mean Intellectual Property Ownership . IPR is much more understood though.

[Brown and Boris]

ukvoyager.info said:

Route324 said:

Do you mean IPR (Intellectual Property Rights) rather than IPO (Initial Public Offering)?

Or he could mean Intellectual Property Ownership . IPR is much more understood though.

Intellectual Property Ownership or Indian Pubic Okra?

Edited by Brown and Boris on Thursday 20th November 16:16

[Brown and Boris]

Specialist IPO/IPR lawyer is working up a price for advising on the appropriate structure of the deal and then drawing up the docs.

Anybody care to guess on the quote for those two things? My estimate is £1.5K for the intial advice and £2.5K for the agreement to be drawn up.

[Brown and Boris]

Brown and Boris said:

Specialist IPO/IPR lawyer is working up a price for advising on the appropriate structure of the deal and then drawing up the docs.

Anybody care to guess on the quote for those two things? My estimate is £1.5K for the intial advice and £2.5K for the agreement to be drawn up.

Initial £700 for the advice, then 'between £2K and £4K, proably more likley towards the bottom than the top. I think they may be being a bit cautious as they quoted me £2k last time, and it ended up being £3.5K and we settled at £2,500.

We may run the pilot as it stands a without advice and then roo the advice up in the agreement if it gets that far.

[Pappa Lurve]

If its any help I used a fantastic IP lawyer a while back. Superb guy, very well known and respected. I am unsure of prices now as I initially worked with him about 5 years ago but whatever it was it was well worth it. We got one possible challenge to the IP which a ten min phone call and a well worded letter from me mentioning his name to the challenger made disappear.

He is also a genuinely nice chap (I know, a nice lawyer, who would have thought it!), grasped the technical issues behind the product easily (vital or him to protect it and also helpful in keeping his hours, and thus costs, down), and was recommended to me by another chap who had used his services.

Really cant recommend the chap highly enough. If you want his details, please feel free to mail me for them.

Of course, if there are any IP lawyers floating about on PH, then I am sure they are excellent as well!

[Brown and Boris]

Pappa Lurve said:

If its any help I used a fantastic IP lawyer a while back. Superb guy, very well known and respected. I am unsure of prices now as I initially worked with him about 5 years ago but whatever it was it was well worth it. We got one possible challenge to the IP which a ten min phone call and a well worded letter from me mentioning his name to the challenger made disappear.

He is also a genuinely nice chap (I know, a nice lawyer, who would have thought it!), grasped the technical issues behind the product easily (vital or him to protect it and also helpful in keeping his hours, and thus costs, down), and was recommended to me by another chap who had used his services.

Really cant recommend the chap highly enough. If you want his details, please feel free to mail me for them.

Of course, if there are any IP lawyers floating about on PH, then I am sure they are excellent as well!

IPO seems a bit of a minefield and the lawyers seem very cautious. I am hoping that since the one we have used has already reviewed the materials etc that subsequent consultations won't be as costly. I am also hoping that the people I hope to licece to will pick up their share of the tab.