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The Evolution of In-house Legal & IP Departments

May 2016
ManagementPharmaceutical

Abstract

It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent. It is the one that is most adaptable to change. This quote, likely incorrectly attributed to the great evolutionist Charles Darwin (1809-1882), perfectly summarized the theory of “survival of the fittest”. Fitness is not so much strength or intelligence, but adaptability. What is correct in biology, also applies in business. However, evolution often seems to happen in extreme fast motion. Intellectual Property (IP) - patents, trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets – are in today’s knowledge economy a cornerstone of growth and the principal source of shareholder wealth and competitive advantage. The IP of a company determines its future economic success and stock market valuation. Intangible assets in general and IP in particular have become strategic factors for value creation and are a crucial part of innovation in relation to business processes and products.

Author

Portrait image of Michael Kock
Michael Kock
Head IP, Syngenta International AG, Switzerland

Dr. Michael A. Kock is Head Intellectual Property for Syngenta Crop Protection AG based in Basel, Switzerland. He joint Syngenta January 2007. Michael studied chemistry, biochemistry, and molecular biology in Germany and China and graduated with a Diploma in Chemistry and a Ph.D. in molecular biology. He started his carrier in pharmaceutical research before he focused on intellectual property. Michael is a qualified European and Swiss Patent Attorney. He has longtime experience in IP laws with specific expertise on life science, biotechnology and plant related innovations in an international context, including prosecution, litigation, validation, and licensing. Michael is member of the IP advisory committees of several industry associations (International Seed Federation, CropLife, European Seed Association, ICC), and IP association (GRUR). He regularly lectures on IP and has published several papers on plant IP issues in peer reviewed IP journals. Focus points of his work include new models for technology and IP dissemination and licensing to enable open innovation and collaboration.

Company

Syngenta International AG logo

Syngenta International AG

Syngenta is a leading agriculture company helping to improve global food security by enabling millions of farmers to make better use of available resources. Through world class science and innovative crop solutions, our 28,000 people in over 90 countries are working to transform how crops are grown. We are committed to rescuing land from degradation, enhancing biodiversity and revitalizing rural communities.

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