Disclosing process, product, and other proprietary information
is sometimes unavoidable, and manufacturers may be concerned such
ideas may be stolen or shared. Beyond those basic concerns, the
manner in which a manufacturer discloses ideas may actually impact
the manufacturer's future ability to obtain the relevant
intellectual property ("IP") protection. For example,
launching a product where the solution is entirely in the back-end,
or simply making an offer to sell or license the product may result
in a loss of patent rights.
Especially recently, manufacturers have cooperated through a
variety of forums, such as
industry forums and legal innovation hubs,
to address a variety of issues that range from international trade
to the
skills gap. These events promote the collaboration and the
sharing of ideas. However, manufacturers naturally feel
uncomfortable discussing proprietary processes and product
development. In some instances, such as when seeking
