The various options of protecting a company's intellectual assets will be the focus of an address at Hope College on Friday, Nov. 1.
The various options of protecting a company's intellectual assets will be the focus of an address at Hope College on Friday, Nov. 1.
The lecture "Patent Strategy and the Protection of Intellectual Property Assets--Things Every Employee Should Know" will be presented on Friday, Nov. 1, at 3 p.m. in room 102 of VanderWerf Hall by Allen Vaughn, who is manager of intellectual property for Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control.
The public is invited. Admission is free.
Vaughn will focus on information employees should know prior to entering the work force. His discussion will explore the reasons a company patents its technology and when developments are maintained as trade secrets. The department of physics and engineering is hosting the talk in the belief that intellectual property is essential in today's high-tech world and will directly impact students' future careers.
As manager of intellectual property for Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control, Vaughn serves as chairman of the Intellectual Property Review Board, which reviews all inventions and determines the appropriate method of protection based upon their respective business case. His responsibility as the portfolio manager for his business unit encompasses approximately 20 percent of Lockheed Martin's total intellectual assets. He is a member of the Licensing Executive Society, and is responsible for the development of his business unit's licensing program.
During his 22-year career with Lockheed, Vaughn has managed several functions in the marketing, strategic planning and program management activities of the company. Among other activities, he has worked with staff lobbyists and members of the United States Congress, foreign legislative members and other United States Cabinet-Level officials. During one calendar year, he had the opportunity to discuss existing and future products with approximately 30 members of Congress.
VanderWerf Hall is located on 10th Street between Central and College avenues.