September 25, 2019 OC hACCess: Due Diligence in Mergers and Acquisitions (and Investments): When Should You Consult an IP Attorney?

Whether a company is a start-up or an established player, IP assets often play an important role in valuation when that company seeks acquisition or investment.  However, “due diligence” for IP assets usually involves identification and verification of those assets, including copyrights, trademarks, and patents, but no more.  Often, there is no attempt to evaluate or value those assets.  For patents, there is a missed opportunity to provide added value to the valuation.  In this presentation, we will discuss differences between identification/verification and evaluation/valuation, and will provide some insights into issues such as, “Why patents matter,” “Why patent lists can be misleading,” and “Why a patent may be worthless,” and how IP counsel can provide quick and efficient evaluation to help with valuation.