Peter Fasse. Patent Attorney & Angel Investor - "Patents in His Blood" - Episode 11

Peter Fasse has patents in his blood. He comes from a family of patent attorneys. He is a highly respected partner at Fish & Richardson, the storied Boston-based (now global) firm that represented Alexander Graham Bell, Thomas Edison and the Wright Brothers. Peter’s work continues that tradition by representing some of the leading technological innovators of today. Peter also invests as an angel in technology companies. In this practical and accessible conversation he revealed valuable insights and resources for founders and investors in technology companies. He also relayed some interesting and instructive stories of intellectual property success and calamity.

Among the topics covered were:

• Peter Fasse Bio
• Young Cornell Grad in Textiles & Fabrics Becomes Patent Office Examiner
• Peter Fasse’s Practice
• In What Areas Is it Important to Have Patents and Why?
• Software Patents, Why Have Them and Why Not?
• Supreme Court Taking Harsh Views on Patents
• Patent Attorney Horror Stories – Theft, Suicide, Rogue Wave, Bear Mauling & Hasty Firing
• How Institutions Can Claim Intellectual Property of Employees
• Freedom to Operate – Should Be a Big Concern for Tech Startup Founders & Investors
• “There's a common misconception that if you have a patent on something, that it allows you to practice and commercialize that invention, but that's not true.”
• Different Levels of Freedom to Operate Analysis
• Two Extreme Freedom to Operate Cases & Outcomes
• Strong IP Position a Vital Ingredient in Sale of Tech Startups
• Mass Tech Transfer Center (MTTC) Is a Great Resource for Technology Startups
• Transcytos & SQZ Biotech
• Most Patents Are Not Commercially Viable, But Fish & Richardson Has a Special Package for Highly Promising Startups – Fish Steps
• Unsolicited Client Testimonial for Peter Fasse!
• Why Investing Through a Vehicle Rather than Directly Can Make Sense
• Trade Secrets – Formula for Coca Cola
• Trademarks – Frequently Overlooked
• Trouble with Chinese Partners – Capital Controls & Theft of Intellectual Property