Join us for a deep dive on a key startup topic: how to focus your patent application. In a casual conversation, we will explore key concepts and strategies that startups should consider with their lawyers when designing a set of patent claims.
In the patent world, an issued patent is defined by its set of claims. With limited budgets, there needs to be a clear objective from a patenting strategy. A patent doesn’t give you the right to build or sell your invention, only stop someone else from doing so. The reason for patenting may change your patent filing strategy.
Hear from a leading patent practitioner on strategies he uses with his clients on how to best focus a set of patent claims. Key considerations will be discussed including how broad to claim (the scope), decisions around market opportunities to work a patent, and the best claim types to match your patent filing strategy. Come listen to practical advice every IP-focused startup should know.
Whether you’re at the seed stage or scaling rapidly, if your startup is navigating the tech ecosystem, this conversation is for you. Founders, tech innovators, and anyone vested in the future of intellectual property in the startup space— gather ’round the fire.
About the Session:
This isn’t just another lecture on IP rights; it’s a chance to join a community of like-minded individuals ready to tackle the complexities of IP strategy together. We’re peeling back the layers of legal jargon to reveal the actionable steps you can take to protect your company’s most valuable assets.
Roch Ripley
Roch Ripley is a partner at Gowling WLG and the head of the Vancouver office’s Intellectual Property Department. He focuses his practice on providing IP advice, patent drafting and prosecution, and tech commercialization.
His patent prosecution practice covers multiple tech-related sectors, in particular AI, electronic hardware, firmware/software and clean tech. Roch employs a strategic approach to the procurement and commercialization of IP rights – whether helping SMEs position themselves for investment/acquisition or assisting larger companies establish portfolios that can be asserted offensively or deployed defensively.
He is highly skilled in drafting and obtaining patents and leading IP-related due diligence and negotiations for transactions where IP is a driver. A Registered Patent Agent in the US and Canada, Roch combines his legal background with his degree in electronics engineering to prepare and prosecute patent applications for clients in the US, Europe, Asia and Canada. He frequently assists foreign attorneys file patent and design applications in Canada.
Recognized in IAM Patent 1000, The Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory, The Best Lawyers in Canada and named an Acritas Star from 2018 to 2020, Roch received the Best Lawyers 2023 Intellectual Property Law “Lawyer of the Year” award in Vancouver.
Byron Thom (moderator)
Byron is a lifelong technology enthusiast who has worn many hats in his tech career. Trained as an engineer and a lawyer, he practiced at one of the leading IP boutiques in Canada helping startups and multinationals protect their technological assets. As a startup founder, he is a patented inventor who drafted and prosecuted his company’s own patent applications. And, as a venture capitalist and board member, he often works with his portfolio companies to develop IP strategies to focus their limited resources on key assets that matter to the business, to investors and to potential acquirers. Byron is a Partner at the BDC Industrial Innovation Venture Fund and sits on the Board of Governors at UBC.
