Training Programs
Intellectual Property and Licensing Workshop
The Situation
A not-for-profit organization, WeServeOurMembers (WSOM), recognized that many
of its constitutes had a desire and a need to learn about intellectual property
protection and strategies for commercialization their technologies. One of
the roles of WSOM was to provide training programs to its members and as
a member outreach activity WSOM was not enamoured with the typical "talking
head" presentation format generally used in workshop and seminar programs.
They felt that this approach resulted in information overload for the attendees
and an ineffective learning experience. WSOM wished to have a highly effective
learning workshop on Intellectual Property and Licensing, developed.
The Challenge
WSOM strongly believed that a program specifically designed to engage mature
students to discuss relevant issues in a workshop style format, would provide
the most effective learning experience for the participants. WSOM required
that the workshop program never have more than 15 minutes of speaker presentation
between group exercises.
The Solution
Drawing on its extensive business case experiences, Vertex developed a highly
interactive full-day workshop program that continually engaged the participants
to discuss intellectual property and licensing issues in small groups. A
major case study was created for group analysis and presentations. In addition
to providing the participants with a basic understanding of intellectual
property and the licensing discipline and reinforcing this learning experience
with discussion exercises, useful relevant handout material was provided
to the attendees.
The Result
A unique business orientated program, which was suitable for both technical
and non-technical personnel, and which addressed legal issues from a business
prospective was developed and presented by Vertex. The program had many interactive
components that maintained a high level of interest and involvement of the
participants. Vertex's workshop presentations were extremely well received
and highly praised and both WSOM and Vertex were most pleased with overwhelming
positive participant feedback.
