Intellectual Property Due Diligence in Mergers & Acquisitions

Presentation Plan
Different categories of IP assets of a company.
Valuation of IP assets.
Aligning the IP assets being acquired.
Means of acquiring IP assets of a Company

Transfer of Domain names Tax considerations Foreign Laws impacting on IP.
Seth Associates, 2006 All Rights Reserved 2
Introduction: What is IP?

Most creations resulting from human endeavors in various fields of art, literature ,science and technology constitute Intellectual Property
Ownership Valuable Assets Intangibles
Special Rights
Intellectual Property
Time & cost intensive
Transferable
Seth Associates, 2006 All Rights Reserved
Additional Profits
Why are IP assets important ?
Its creation is both time and cost intensive
Requires an assembled trained workforce for its creation Requires building of goodwill through advertising programs Generates Customer loyalty Adds to commercial value of organization Its exploitation brings consistent additional profits to an organization
Trademark & domain names
Copyright
Trade secrets
Patent
Categories of IP rights
Utility model/Designs Geographical Indications
Plant Breeders rights
Different Acts governing IP assets

Trade Marks The Trade Marks Act, 1999 The Patents Act, 1970 The Copyright Act, 1957 The Designs Act, 2000 The Geographical Indications Of Goods Act, 1999 The Protection of plant varieties and Plant Varieties Semi conductor IC layout Farmers Right Act, 2001 Semi conductor IC layout design Act,2000
Patents
Copyright
Designs
Geographical Indications
Rights that different IP assets protect
Intellectual Property can be clearly distinguished from Goodwill. UK & Australian Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) has specified goodwill as an umbrella concept consisting of unidentifiable intangible assets and should not include those Intellectual Properties which are capable of individual identification and can be sold separately. Copyright- is a bundle of rights granted to an author of an artistic, literary or musical work to print ,publish and sell copies of his work and other allied rights. Copyright protection also extends to cinematographic film and sound recordings. Designs- The designs entitled to protection are new and original designs having aesthetic value which have not been previously known or published in India or elsewhere.
Trademarks- is an identification symbol which may be a word, a device, a label or numeral etc. or a combination thereof used in the course of trade that enables the purchasing public to distinguish one traders goods from similar goods of other traders
The purpose of Brand is: To uniquely identify a company and its product. To differentiate them from competitor. To enhance the perceived value, the quality and satisfaction that a customer experiences. To evoke distinct associate stands for certain personality traits and carries emotional attachment. Above all brand is supposed to inspire trust. Trust failure can lead to brand failure and brand failure can be fatal. Patents- is the grant of a monopoly right to an inventor who has used his skill to invent something new.
IP adds value at every stage of the innovation and commercialization process

Industrial Designs Trademarks Trademarks, Ind. Designs, Geo. Indications
Patents / Utility Models
All IP rights
Invention Financing Literary / artistic creation Product Design
Commercialization Marketing Exporting Licensing
Copyright Seth Associates, 2006 All Rights Reserved
All IP rights
The IP of Gillette
Gillette Company Value($) Asset Values in US $ Working Capital Fixed/other assets 2,850 5,131 Total
4.9% 8.8%
Intangible assets
IP Total Invested Capital
5,854
44,700 58,535
10.0%
76.3% 100%
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World's three most valuable trademarks!
1992 Financial Week listed, as the world's three most valuable trade marks,
35 30 25 20 15 10 5 0 Budweiser Marlboro Coca-Cola
"Marlboro", worth 31 billion US dollars, "Coca-Cola", worth 24 billion US dollars, and "Budweiser", worth 10.2 billion US dollars.
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IP- Duration of Term of Protection

Patents (20 years) Trademarks (10 years + renewals) Copyrights in published literary, dramatic, musical, and artistic works (Lifetime of author +60 years). Copyright in photographs ,cinematographic film, sound recordings (60 years from year in which it was published) Broadcast reproduction right-(25 years from the beginning of the calendar
year next following the year in which the broadcast is made.) following the year in which the performance is made)
Performers right-(25 years from the beginning of the calendar year next Industrial designs (10 years+ renewal permitted once for 5 years ) Trade-secrets and know how collectively proprietary technology (contract period-protected by contract provisions, doctrine of breach of trust)
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IP-Flow in Mergers and Acquisitions
A merges into B
Company A (Owns IP) -> Surviving company (B)
(IP of A becomes property of B) ( IP of A transferred to B)
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IP-Flow in Mergers and Acquisitions
In a corporate acquisition, there is no transfer of interest in the IP. Company A, which owns the IP, gets acquired by Company B and by virtue of such acquisition, Company B gets control over all assets of Company A, including its IP. In a takeover, the ownership over the IP continues to remain with the Target Company, though the acquirer company gets effective control over the IP
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How to determine the Value ?

What underpins the cash flows of this business - fixed assets, people ,IP assets , knowhow ? business People
Fixed assets
Once you have worked out what drives the value make sure that it is still there after you have acquired the business!
Intangibles - usually a part of business valuation

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Brand valuation

The modus operandi of the valuation would vary in each case as they are strongly influenced by existing environments. The environments broadly are internal & external environment and the major variables are internal strength, marketing scenario, consumer perception, technical know-how and its changing speed, growth prospective, competition scenario, government policy, impact of globalization among others. To valuate a brand and other intellectual properties the valuator requires careful analysis, keen judgment, thorough professional knowledge and a team of members who have expertise in finance, marketing, technical know-how, and in legal fields. There are forty odd variables, which in generic term are called environments that affect the value of the brand.
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WHY DO WE NEED IP VALUATION?
Intangible benefitsEnhanced Confidence ,Indicator of effective utilization , Credibility to the real worth, Strategy development Tangible Benefits in Mergers and AcquisitionsA) Can help in Capitalization: A Balance Sheet which incorporates a brand value provides a more realistic picture and goodwill arising from an acquisition can be reduced as goodwill invariable needs to be amortized where as the brand value can stay in the Balance Sheet giving more realistic presentation of capitalization b) Merger & Acquisition: It is of critical importance for an acquirer, as well as for the vendor to understand and evaluate their real worth for negotiating the correct price. As the valuation report does not only indicates value, the report also shows as to how the value has been worked out elaborating all assumptions, which provides the real insight and would be of great value to the acquirer
C) For taxation purpose: Taxation department desires that all such transfers must be executed at Arms length transaction. Valuation certification from an independent establishment of repute is the best way to establish that the value of transaction as reflected is a true value
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Reasons Why IP is Ignored

Under estimation of its importance
Lack of Awareness
Time Required for Grant of a Patent/registration of TM
Myth that it cant be computed /valued
Cost of Patenting
Enforcement of IPR
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Importance of Intellectual Property due diligence
The increased profile, frequency, and value of intellectual property related transactions have elevated the need for all legal and financial professionals and IP owner to have thorough understanding of the assessment and the valuation of these assets, and their role in commercial transaction Intellectual Property due diligence generally provides vital information specific to future benefits, economic life and ownership rights and the limitations of the assets all of which affects final value. Therefore due diligence is prerequisite to the valuation process, regardless of the methodology used.
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IP due diligence in Mergers & Acquisitions
IP Due diligence is the process of investigating a partys ownership, right to use, and right to stop others from using the IP rights involved in sale or merger ---the nature of transaction and the rights being acquired will determine the extent and focus of the due diligence review. Due-diligence should reveal Who owns the rights? Are the rights valid and transferable and enforceable? Are there any agreement or restriction that prevent the party for granting rights to other? Is the property registered in the proper office? Any shortcoming or default on payment? Any past or potential litigation? Has the property being misused in the past rendering right unenforceable? Any encumbrances? It should also evaluate agreements material to the companys business that may be affected by change of control, agreements that may vest rights in intangibles, and company policies and practices.
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Pre-due diligence formalities
Before the due diligence commences, counsel of both the parties must consider important legal issues related to conducting the due diligence such as confidentiality obligation of the target company and execution of the due diligence should also be arranged between the parties
Legal basis for due diligence-often starts in the form of letter of intent or memorandum of understanding and commonly regulates the due diligence process. Confidentiality agreement between buyer and Target Company is one of the necessity and both should ensure that it is carefully drafted and shall include the scheduling, modus operandi and deadlines, with due emphasis on Attorney-Client privilege
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The scope of Intellectual property due diligence
The scope of Intellectual property due diligence will be determined by a number of factors such as parties goal in the transaction such as capital contribution, assets transfer, security of loan, or internal assessment of its own and will be influenced by budgeting, available human resources, the size and complexity of target company and its intellectual property portfolio among other such issues. Buyer having done the preliminary due diligence with respect to current status of Intellectual Property portfolio should evaluate the portfolio with respect to function strategy to work out:
Ownership strategy. Protection strategy. Exploitation strategy. Enforcement strategy
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Preliminary assessment
Target company should make a preliminary assessment of the current status of its intellectual property portfolio and management including: Current holding and their status. Goals for the portfolio. Historical and prospective investment in Intellectual Property acquisition, protection and exploitation. This would also help the target company to define its perspective. If the due diligence were being conducted for internal purpose the goal would be quite different than the due diligence for external reason.
What an IP attorney ought to consider
The most significant provisions of the agreement from the IP attorneys perspective are: (1) definitions of assets and IP; (2) the scope of the transfer; and (3) representations and warranties. the representations and warranties, indemnification provisions, and disclosure schedules Disclosure schedules are also critical because typically the seller is not liable, unless the purchase agreement otherwise provides, for any monetary damages resulting from disclosed events. Due diligence conducted at three levels-personal interviews, document review ,and independent investigation
may be affected by change of control
Review of Agreements material to the companys business that
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Independent investigation methods
Due diligence check at Indian registries of patent ,trademark and copyrights, designs U.S. and foreign patent, trademark and copyright rights and filings PTO, WIPO web sites Assignment records and maintenance fee/annuity records for patents Commissioned Copyright Office searches with chain of title information and information on any security interest (e.g. lien) or other encumbrance
UCC filings (security interest) Internet/news database searches Westlaw/Lexis or other databases re: litigations Prosecution files and assignment records If your clients public, SEC filings
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DUE DILIGENCE: What are some typical provisions that might raise a word of caution? THE ANALYSIS Anti-assignment Silence on assignment Non-exclusive rights grants to or from your client Covenants not to sue (any covenant!) Automatic reversion/transfer of rights Government licenses Ambiguous or ineffectual rights grants Termination Loss of rights Indemnification (especially if not limited) Sublicenses Assignments Non-compete Source code escrow Unusual jurisdiction
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Important checklist-copyright
Scope of Rights (exclusive, non-exclusive)

Grants Effective Rights Transferable Assignments in Proper Order assignment where appropriate
Registrations in Proper Order

No Encumbrances/Liens
Significant Trademark Issues
Scope of Rights (exclusive, non-exclusive)

Grants Effective Rights Transferable Assignments in Proper Order assignment where appropriate
Registrations in Proper Order

No Encumbrances/Liens
Significant Trade Secret Issues:
Confidentiality/security precautions and procedures

Proper markings/legends
Employment agreements
Non-disclosure agreements
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Significant Domain Name Issues:
Verification of record owners

Assignments in proper order Status of registration and renewal
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Some typical representations and warranties
Here are some lists of all the IP seller owns, has licensed from someone else and has licensed to someone else (see disclosure schedule) Seller hasnt given any IP or rights away unless its disclosed Seller owns or has acquired sufficient rights to exploit the works in the way it is doing so currently Good and marketable title No liens or judgments
More Reps and Warranties:
All registrations and applications to government entities with respect to IP are valid and in full force and effect and all registration and renewal fees due up to closing are paid. Right to use computer systems and software No pending, threatened claims against seller unless disclosed Seller not violating any third party rights unless disclosed Third party not violating any Sellers rights unless disclosed No pending, threatened claims asserted by seller unless disclosed Domain names and trademarks are still in full force and effect as of closing and no pending or threatened challenge to domain names, opposition, cancellation, etc. as to trademarks Assignability of contracts, rights thereunder Owns rights to customer information, supplier information or other lists included in the IP assets being sold
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Crucial Factors for IP due diligence

Extent of statutory protection IPRs enjoy Value of each IPR Level of risk infringement of third party rights and infringement by others. With respect to the agreement involving the acquisition, it is critical that the seller provides appropriate warranties such as warranty that it owns full title in the intellectual property as well as representations regarding controversies, litigations, claims of infringement, title disputes, and any other specific matters that are important to the buyer and the transaction. Technology Valuation-important considerations Size: Whether there is market for the product of technology Scale: scale of operation of technology is appropriate to that market Maturity: Whether technology is market proven or new Obsolescence: whether it is about to be replaced by new developments Environment adaptability: whether technology can be satisfactorily operated in transferees environments Appropriateness: Whether technology is appropriate for infrastructure-available power, telecommunications, transport etc
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ISSUES THAT NEED EXAMINATION WITH RESPECT TO TRADE AND SERVICE MARKS
Definition of Rights Registered marks Pending applications Trademarks exploited by Target Company but not subject of registration Ownership Marks created by Target Company employees Marks created by independent contractors Marks assigned to Target Company by third parties Liens and other mortgages Third Party Rights Concurrent use and consent agreements Licenses from third parties Freedom to use- Protection/Registration Status and scope of registered marks Status and scope of pending applications Non-registered marks (marketing/registrability) Proper use of markings Exploitation Inventory of products/services on or in connection with which marks are used Licensing practices- general/misuse Inter-company licensing practices Internet use/licensing Nonuse Enforcement/Disputes Target Company threatened, pending actions against third parties Third party threatened, pending actions against Target Company Summary, Conclusions, General Comments Examine and evaluate opinion letter and cease and desist letters.
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LICENSING OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
Every merger and acquisition poses a Question: whether merging companies intellectual property license rights would remain intact pursuant to merger. General principles of contract law provide that rights under agreements are presumed to be assignable unless the statute, the contract, or public policy provides otherwise or there exists a material adverse consequences to the other party. Case example: General radio and appliances Co ltd v MA Khader (1986) 60
com cas 1013-facts transferor company in amalgamation was tenant ,rent agreement specifically prohibited subletting without written consent of landlord . Landlord instituted eviction proceedings against transferee. Court held transfer of tenancy rights under scheme of amalgamation was bad in law being made without consent of landlord. Similar position in law with respect to trademark and copyright licenses.
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Challenges of Valuing IP Assets in case of M&A
Assets that may qualify as a company's IP may be easily overlooked, like;
information maintained in notebooks and/or stored on a computer by any employee. a pending patent application assigned to the company an invention disclosure from an engineer to company decision-makers for consideration as to whether to pursue patent protection, proprietary software source code developed inhouse.
Challenges of Valuing IP Assets

Valuing IP assets is often a difficult task because their true value may not be readily apparent The value of an IP asset may not be recognized in income received by the company. Indeed, the full value of an IP asset is likely never recognized in income because much of the asset's value resides in the negative right to prevent others from doing something they would otherwise be permitted to do Valuing an IP asset is further complicated because such value is generally not stagnant. Rather, the value of an IP asset often changes over time. Consequently, a company should periodically (e.g., annually) re-assess the value of its IP assets
Challenges of Valuing IP Assets Contd.

The pending patent application is an asset representing a potentially enforceable right that may be conferred to the company in the future. If the company were to be acquired by another, some value would certainly be attributed to its pending patent applications as company "assets" in determining a fair purchase price for acquiring the company. If the company were to be acquired, no value may be attributed to the notebooks in determining a fair purchase price for acquiring the company because the notebook's content may be largely unknown. Consequently, a company may possess a vast amount of IP, some of which is readily identifiable and others of which are difficult to identify
Reorganising and structuring deals
If all or most of the IP owned by the corporate seller is not assignable as a result of the contracts vesting ownership in the seller, then a stock purchase, in which the assignability of the assets is not important, may be preferable to an asset purchase. In this case, both parties are protected: the seller is not forced to make representations about assignability that are impossible to meet, and the purchaser is not forced to assume the risk of claims of infringement or the inability to enforce IP rights arising from the ineffectual transfer of rights.
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Due Diligence for valuation helps build strategy
If Intellectual Property asset is underplayed the plans for maximization would be discussed.
If the Trademark has been maximized to the point that it has lost its cachet in the market place, reclaiming may be considered. If mark is undergoing generalization and is becoming generic, reclaiming the mark from slipping to generic status would need to be considered. Certain events can devalue an Intellectual Property Asset -events in respect of IP could be adverse publicity or personal injury arising from a product. An essential part of the due diligence and valuation process accounts for the impact of product and company-related events on assets - management can use risk information revealed in the due diligence. Due diligence could highlight contingent risk which do not always arise from Intellectual Property law itself but may be significantly affected by product liability and contract law and other non Intellectual Property realms.
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Methods for valuation of Intellectual Property
The choice of approach will be determined primarily by the type of Intellectual Property asset is to be valued, the circumstances of the specific transaction, the availability of information and the level of due diligence that the corporate is willing to take on. When multiple approaches are Cost approach applied a comparison and reconciliation of resulting value is possible.
Valuation Methods
Market approach Income Approach
Others
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Principles of Valuation
The cardinal rule of commercial valuation is:
value of something cannot be stated in the abstract; all that can be stated is the value of a thing in a particular place, at a particular time and in particular circumstances. Value of an asset or liability is the present value of future economic benefits or losses that can be reasonably anticipated to accrue to the owner of that asset or liability.
the
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Cost based approach
Based on the principle of substitution, i.e., value of an asset is estimated on the basis of cost to construct a similar asset at current prices.
Components of cost approach

Cost of reproduction Cost of replacement Depreciation cost Original cost Book cost
Cost approach
Valuation Process
Identify historical Costs of developing the intangible asset, adjust for time value of money Add an appropriate rate of return to calculate developers profit Disadvantage: it seeks to correlate cost with value. Caution: NOT ALL DEVELOPMENTS BASED ON INVENTIONS LEAD TO SUCCESSFUL PRODUCTS
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Market Based approach
Estimates the value of an intangible asset based on market prices of comparable intangible assets that have been bought/sold or licensed between independent parties. Also referred to as the Comparable Uncontrolled Transaction (CUT) method, and is similar to the Comparable Uncontrolled Price (CUP) method.
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Requisites
Market Based
An active, public market. assessment of fair market value An exchange of comparable products comparison with the sale value of similar assets
There are various elements of comparison, which should be given due importance while analyzing and comparing the transactions such as, functional characteristics of intellectual property, physical characteristics of intellectual property, the size of industry in which the intellectual property is transferred, the economic condition, the existence of any special term and the legal rights that have been transferred.
Limitations:
In practice difficult to find sufficiently comparable transactions-price information, sales or licensing statistics usually confidential.
Income based approach
Estimates the value of an intangible asset based on the expected income attributable to the intangible asset during its remaining economic life. Also known as Discounted cash flow analysis
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Income based approach Contd..

Essential Elements
The amount of the income stream that can be generated by the property
An assumption as to the duration of the income stream
An assumption as to the costs and risks associated with the realization of the forecasted income
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Income based approach Contd..

Valuation Process
Forecast income and costs associated with using the property over the life of the property Compute Net Present Value of future cash flows (use appropriate discount rate reflecting risk of investment)
Limitations
Suitable where fair Financial projections can be made
Estimating income Attributab to intangib its economic life, appropriat Discount ra

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Other Approaches
Other Internationally accepted approaches include:

Market Capitalization method Profit based methods Profit split method The Economic Benefit Approach
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Table shows how big the economic contribution made by brands to companies
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Instances of Brand Valuation in M&A
In 1988, UK-based GrandMet acquired the Pillsbury company. It was estimated that 88% of the price it paid consisted of "goodwill" i.e., GrandMet paid approximately $990 million (L608m) to acquire the Pillsbury brand name and its other branded properties (Green Giant, Old ElPaso, Hagen-Dazs, etc.).
Tangibl e Assets 12%
Intangi ble Assets, 88%
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Instances of Brand Valuation in M&A
Volkswagen, bought the $800 assets of the Rolls-Royce $700 automobile corporation for $780m against a net $600 tangible asset value of $500 US$250 million $400 But it somehow did not include the brand in the $300 deal... $200 The rights to use the Rolls$100 Royce trademark were subsequently purchased $0 by rival BMW for $65m Assets and many analysts believe that BMW got the better Associates, 2006 All Seth deal. Rights Reserved
Volkswa gen BMW
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Aligning the IP being acquired against the business being acquired
The intellectual property to be acquired should be considered by reference to what is actually being used or required to be used in conducting the business to be acquired and not in a theoretical vacuum. For example, an extensive portfolio of granted patents may be of no or little value to a business if none or very few of the products made or processes used in the business are referrable to those patents, and worse still, if those products or processes infringe third party rights The intellectual property to be acquired should be properly categorised by substantive typeeg granted patent, patent application, registered trade mark, common law trade mark etc; by its ownership; by third party interests involved in that intellectual property and by disputes related to that intellectual property. These factors will provide the foundation to identifying the necessary steps to effect a proper transfer of title, the obstacles to such transfer that need to be overcome, as well as the warranties that may be required.
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Aligning the IP being acquired against the business being acquired
IP your company is acquiring will allow it to benefit from the transaction in the way it expects. For example, if your company is buying a business to use its trade mark, the business may be less valuable if the trade mark registration does not cover the appropriate classes of goods or services. Similarly, a business with a number of patents may not be as valuable as it appears if the key product manufactured by the business is not covered by those patents, or if the key product infringes another persons patent. Lapsed patents and designs are of no value either, so check that IP renewals are up to date.
Search all relevant local and foreign patent, design and trade mark registers to ensure that IP protection is available in all of the key markets of the business.
Means of acquiring IP assets

Mergers & Acquisitions
Transfer documents
Supplemental Closing Documents
Asset Sale
Purchase Agreement Stock Sale
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Share purchases & stock purchases
Share purchases will transfer the entire rights in the intellectual property by operation of law. If the acquisition is structured as a stock purchase, documents transferring the assets generally are not necessary, instead, documents which transfer the stock will allow the buyer to indirectly become the owner of the assets. In the context of intellectual property assets, very often they will be separately transferred to a holding company and either licensed back to the operating company or become the subject of a subsequent sale to the ultimate purchaser.
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Stock purchases
In the context of a stock purchase acquisition, ownership of trademarks and other intellectual property still remains with the acquired company. Purchase of shares will not affect distinct property rights in intangible assets or other intellectual property to be properly transferred, although a separate agreement is usually necessary to underscore the parties intentions.
Asset Purchase
If the transaction is structured as an asset purchase, the intellectual property assets will be either specifically mentioned in the acquisition agreement or become the subject of a separate bill of sale. However, very often intellectual property assets are the subject of a separate agreement in light of the fact that they require recordal of the new owner in the respective jurisdictions in which they are validly owned and used. Furthermore, the forms and requirements for valid transfers differ from country to country and become a matter of public record
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Sale of assets
If a business is sold as a going concern, the intent to transfer trademarks and the goodwill associated therewith is presumed, even though not expressly provided for. An exception to this concept lies in the context of transactions between parent corporations and their wholly-owned subsidiaries. Asset-based purchases in this context will not automatically include intellectual property rights, rather, ownership of the intangible assets will remain with the parent corporation unless the underlying agreement expressly provides for transfer to the subsidiary
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Transfer of Domain Names

Domain names
Domain names perform the function of a trademark if it denotes the source or origin of goods/services. Ownership of domain names can be transferred in M&A
The transfer of ownership of a domain name should consist of no less than three documents; the Transfer of ownership Acquisition Agreement, a document issued by the relevant domain name registry attesting to the transfer (if such change is not done electronically) and an assignment agreement. The latter two documents may be set forth as exhibits to . the Acquisition Agreement or delivered as a post-closing obligation.
Documents
Transfer of domain names

The Acquisition Agreement should make certain to address the intersection to domain names and trademark law. In addition to stating the intentions of the parties and transferring the domain name itself, all common law trademark, copyright and other intellectual property rights related to the domain name should be should be subject to the transfer as well. Representations and warranties to the effect that the seller is the sole owner and that the subject domain name is not subject to any claims of infringement or other claims or actions should be made, together with indemnity provisions in favor of the buyer. The agreement should further prohibit the seller from registering or using a similar or related domain name
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Transfer of domain names
Specific reference to the domain name registrar should be made with an affirmative obligation on both the buyer and seller to execute any documents it requires. In most instances, the buyer is responsible for filing any required documents with the relevant domain name registry and this should be explicitly set forth in the Purchase Agreement.
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Tax considerations governing the structure of the deal
The structuring of an acquisition is frequently governed by tax considerations. The lead IP lawyer must be alert to the consequences arising from any particular structure jeopardising intellectual property rights.
For example, transferring all the intellectual property to a separate IP holding company while transferring all tangible assets to a separate operating company, will cause problems if common law trade marks are involved, because common law trade marks cannot be validly assigned separately from the goodwill attaching to the business assets sold.
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Tax considerations
Depending upon the scope of the business activities of the purchaser, it may choose not to simply obtain record title to intellectual property assets received in a merger or acquisition, rather, it may choose to sell its newly acquired intangible assets to a third party (which it may or may not own a substantial portion of the shares) and receive a license to use same. Very often, this can be achieved in the most tax efficient manner by placing ownership of the intangible assets in a holding company which then licenses back the assets for use by the operating company.
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Tax considerations
Entities which create or acquire IP assets has the ability to claim a tax deduction for their costs
IPR were brought under the service tax law w.e.f. 10th September 2004.
costs includes patent or trademark registration fees, royalties, legal costs and salaries and equipment costs for R&D activities
IPR holders are required to get registered with the appropriate authority under service tax rule for providing IP Services for consideration of Royalty. liable to pay service tax @ 12.24% (12% service tax + educational cess @ of .24 % of the service tax) on the gross amount charged from the receiver Not available for the tax year in which amalgamation / demerger take place
ss 10A 10B, 80IA, and 80IB of the IT Act.
These incentives are thereafter allowed to the amalgamating /resulting company,

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Foreign laws impacting on IP
It is not uncommon in present day acquisitions for rights in intellectual property to arise in various jurisdictionseg foreign registered trade marks, granted patents etcor in the case of licences, for those to be governed by the laws of jurisdictions outside India. In such a context, two factors are particularly important: first, to have access to a network of good quality intellectual property counsel to address issues arising from such laws and second, to begin with the presumption that the laws in those jurisdictions will be different to Indian law on intellectual property issues fundamental to the acquisition eg US law may treat the assignment of intellectual property licenses by licensees differently to Indian law. Adopting such an approach means that issues are more likely to be dealt with on their merits, and as a consequence, this lessens the risk profile for the acquirer. The deal should not be viewed as complete until recordal of the transfer of title has been effected
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WORLDWIDE RECORDAL OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS.
Necessity for Prompt Recordal : The intellectual
property rights of the acquired company need to be transferred into the name of the new owner in each jurisdiction where such rights exist. First, if a change of ownership is not promptly recorded, a misconception can arise in the marketplace as to the identity of the actual owner, leading to a possible loss of rights where a trademark no longer functions as a true indication of origin. Second, the new owner may not be able to prosecute infringements, file oppositions or attend to renewals or annuity payments.
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Necessity for Prompt Recordal
Third, fines and/or penalties may be assessed for late recordal of a transfer. Fourth, the failure or delay in recording a transfer of ownership may result in a possible loss of royalties. Fifth, license recordals and registered user entries will no longer be current and may affect the validity of the use by a licensee and/or governmental approval for foreign exchange authorizations for remission of royalties.
Necessity for Prompt Recordal
Finally, in the event an equitable transfer occurs without the requisite official change of record ownership at the relevant patent and trademark offices throughout the world, the new owner will encounter enormous difficulties when confronted with the maintenance, sale, enforcement, hypothecation, licensing and/or use of the intellectual property rights.
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THE FINAL WORD
It is anticipated that intellectual property will be the dominant force in future commercial transactions comprising tomorrows mergers and acquisitions!
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Intellectual Property Due Diligence in Mergers &amp; Acquisitions

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Intellectual Property Due Diligence in Mergers &amp; Acquisitions

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Presentation Plan

Different categories of IP assets of a company.

Means of acquiring IP assets of a Company

Introduction: What is IP?

Ownership Valuable Assets Intangibles

Time & cost intensive

Why are IP assets important ?

Its creation is both time and cost intensive

Trademark & domain names

Plant Breeders rights

Seth Associates, 2006 All Rights Reserved

Different Acts governing IP assets

Rights that different IP assets protect

Seth Associates, 2006 All Rights Reserved

Seth Associates, 2006 All Rights Reserved

IP adds value at every stage of the innovation and commercialization process

Patents / Utility Models

Invention Financing Literary / artistic creation Product Design

Commercialization Marketing Exporting Licensing

Copyright Seth Associates, 2006 All Rights Reserved

Seth Associates, 2006 All Rights Reserved

World's three most valuable trademarks!

35 30 25 20 15 10 5 0 Budweiser Marlboro Coca-Cola

Seth Associates, 2006 All Rights Reserved

IP- Duration of Term of Protection

Seth Associates, 2006 All Rights Reserved

IP-Flow in Mergers and Acquisitions

(IP of A becomes property of B) ( IP of A transferred to B)

Seth Associates, 2006 All Rights Reserved

IP-Flow in Mergers and Acquisitions

Seth Associates, 2006 All Rights Reserved

How to determine the Value ?

Intangibles - usually a part of business valuation

Seth Associates, 2006 All Rights Reserved

WHY DO WE NEED IP VALUATION?

Seth Associates, 2006 All Rights Reserved

Reasons Why IP is Ignored

Time Required for Grant of a Patent/registration of TM

Myth that it cant be computed /valued

Importance of Intellectual Property due diligence

IP due diligence in Mergers & Acquisitions

Seth Associates, 2006 All Rights Reserved

Pre-due diligence formalities

Seth Associates, 2006 All Rights Reserved

The scope of Intellectual property due diligence

Ownership strategy. Protection strategy. Exploitation strategy. Enforcement strategy

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What an IP attorney ought to consider

Review of Agreements material to the companys business that

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Independent investigation methods

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Scope of Rights (exclusive, non-exclusive)

Registrations in Proper Order

Significant Trademark Issues

Scope of Rights (exclusive, non-exclusive)

Registrations in Proper Order

Significant Trade Secret Issues:

Confidentiality/security precautions and procedures

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Significant Domain Name Issues:

Verification of record owners

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Intellectual Property Due Diligence in Mergers & Acquisitions

Intellectual Property Due Diligence in Mergers & Acquisitions