March 2018
Get More!
Sign your in-house counsel up for
the MMA Lawyers Committee to
for regular updates on pressing
legal matters. Contact MMA’s
Andy Such, at 517-487-8513 or
[email protected], to learn more.
where and how IP is used and
developed and where weak points
may exist. As sources of potential
IP loss are located, employers
should work quickly and proactively
to resolve them. For a company
looking to reimagine its IP
protection, an audit of all IP related
details is a good jumping off point.
IP audits include detailed
reviews of policies, interviews with
key employees, analysis of IP assets,
and deeper dives with executives on
shifts in security as-needed. The
process can assist both IP attorneys
and the manufacturer in under-
standing what IP exists and what
protections need to be taken —
often essential staff aren’t even
aware of new designs or IP-relevant
technologies that must be secured.
By regularly assessing your IP
protections and making changes
where necessary, you’ll benefit future
R&D while avoiding patent liability
concerns before thefts happen.
Relevant Resources
to Bookmark
Manufacturers should always
look to connect with with trusted
attorneys in their area who deal
with IP protection issues. Other
sources of information can be
found at:
• Michigan Intellectual
Property Law Association
(www.mipla.org)
MiMfg Magazi ne
13
• World Intellectual
Property Organization
(www.wipo.int)
Finally, if you have a legal
expert on staff or an employee
whose job requires regular updates
on pressing legal matters, MMA’s
Lawyers Committee is a must-use
resource. The Committee is made
up of the in-house counsel of
MMA member companies and meets
to decide Association involvement
in amicus curiae activities on behalf
of manufacturers.
For more information on
pending legal issues affecting your
business, including intellectual
property protection, contact
MMA’s Andy Such at 517-487-
8543 or [email protected].
• United States Patent and
Trademark Office
(www.uspto.gov)
6
Brett Gerrish is MMA’s
communications coordinator.
He may be reached at
[email protected] or
517-487-8533.
Your Support is Critical
“Our ability to support pro-manufacturing candidates
is imperative as anti-manufacturing voices are
working strategically against our industry. The
MMA-PAC is limited to personal contributions
from our members, so your contributions as a
leader in manufacturing are critical to success
in these pivotal mid-term elections.”
— Patrick Curry, MMA-PAC Chair
and President of Fullerton Tool
Contributing to the MMA-PAC is an investment in Michigan’s future and one of the most
affordable and effective ways to support pro-manufacturing legislators and candidates.
Donate online today at mimfg.org or contact Brianna Mills: 517-487-8523 or [email protected].
MMA-PAC can accept personal contributions or contributions from sole-proprietorships, partnerships or limited liability companies (LLCs). State Law prohibits acceptance of corporate checks.