CABER – Center for Advanced BioEnergy Research
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
There are many reasons why biofuels innovators may need to interface with third parties when solving a technical problem. But such disclosures to third parties can then raise issues of properly preserving confidential information by contract, and establishing ownership of any resulting joint inventions. Richard B. Hoffman will lead a discussion on the best legal IP practices in “Biofuel Intellectual Property Pitfalls,” presented at the Center for Advanced BioEnergy Research (CABER) on March 28, 2011.
Richard Hoffman advises U.S. and foreign clients, from major corporations to foundations to entrepreneurs. He brings over 37 years of experience counseling them on how to gain economic benefits and protections for their new products or ideas in mechanical and diverse related technologies. Whether negotiating effective intellectual property agreements and licenses, diligently pursuing patent protections, providing freedom-to-operate opinions, counseling on trade secret issues, or preparing intellectual property audits, he delivers practical and valuable solutions. Awarded a Martindale-Hubbell® AV Peer Review Rating™ for his abilities, he remains in the forefront of developing new technologies, leading the Firm in its Cleantech and Renewables practice, and working on his own inventions in the biomass field outside the office.