This website uses cookies

This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience. By using our website, you agree to our Privacy Policy

International In-house Counsel Journal logoInternational In-house Counsel Journal logo

Navigating Intellectual Property in Mergers and Acquisitions

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to arm in-house counsel with the tools, facts and case studies necessary to guide and assist business leaders, as both a legal and business advisor, in navigating intellectual property issues in mergers and acquisitions ('M&A') transactions. This article will discuss the importance of intellectual property in M&A transactions, delineate a roadmap for conducting intellectual property due diligence and finally provide strategic tips in order for in-house counsel to adequately navigate intellectual property issues in M&A transactions. First, an introduction of M&A and intellectual property basics will be outlined. Second, the alignment of intellectual property and M&A will be explored, emphasizing the importance of understanding both the business goals and intellectual property in M&A. Real world case studies will be drawn upon to highlight the critical nature of this alignment. Third, a roadmap to intellectual property due diligence will be discussed. Finally, strategic tips for in-house counsel to add value to and ensure success of the M&A transaction will be provided.

Read Paper

Author

Portrait image of Kelly Li
Kelly Li
Deputy General Counsel, Waitex Group of Companies, USA

Kelly K. Li is Deputy General Counsel at Waitex Group of Companies, managing and coordinating legal work and legal teams (both in-house lawyers and outside legal counsel) in support of Waitex Group's various business divisions worldwide, and specializes in mergers and acquisitions as well as general corporate matters. Prior to joining Waitex Group of Companies, she was an associate at Milbank, Tweed, Hadley & McCloy LLP in the General Corporate practice area. She holds a BA from the University of Pennsylvania, a JD from Boston College Law School and a MBA from Boston College Carroll School of Management. She is licensed to practice law in NY, NJ and CA.

Company

Waitex Group of Companies logo

Waitex Group of Companies

Waitex Group of Companies is an international conglomerate whose scope of business crosses several industry sectors. Waitex Group consists of Waitex Real Estate & Investment Group, Waitex Apparel Group and Waitex Global Logistics & Supply Chain Solutions. Waitex Group's US business divisions were ranked by Crain’s business magazine as one of the top 200 largest, privately held companies in the greater New York area. Mr. Howard Li, Chairman of Waitex, was selected by Forbes Asia magazine as one of 25 most influential Chinese Americans in US business. Waitex Real Estate & Investment Group focuses on real estate development, investments and strategic partnerships in the US and China. Recent investments and partnerships in China include: Florentia Village Luxury Outlets, a joint venture with European, Hong Kong and US institutional investors; Creativo, a luxury home furnishings and lifestyle mall; V1 Autoworld, a luxury automobile racetrack, sales center and entertainment destination. Waitex Global Logistics and Supply Chain Solutions provides third party global logistics and supply chain solutions. It operates 300,000 square meter of facilities, including 10 modern logistics centers in NY, NJ and CA with 1,000 employees in the US. Waitex Solutions processes more than $5 billion USD worth of consumer products annually. Waitex Information Systems is an enterprise resource planning (ERP) software provider and developer offering integrated supply chain, business management and e-commerce technology software systems in the US. Waitex Apparel Group is a designer, marketer, importer and wholesaler of proprietary and licensed branded apparel (NBA, NFL, NHL, MLB, NHL (special size Big & Tall and Youth), Russell Athletic, Champion and UMBRO).

Related Papers

Biodiversity Net Gain and the Task Force for NatureDisclosures Help Prevent the Sixth Mass Extinction?
Scientists recognise a dual planetary crisis: climate breakdown and biodiversity loss. The current extermination of nature by humans is often called the sixth mass extinction. Climate breakdown is caused by...Read more
Portrait image of Simon Boyle
Simon Boyle
Legal Director, Landmark Information Group, UK
Patent Strategies for Attenuated Pathogen Vaccines
Malaria is a major health concern for people traveling to and living in malaria-endemic areas, causing 249 million clinical cases and 608,000 deaths in 2022, numbers essentially unchanged over the...Read more
Portrait image of David Dolberg
David Dolberg
Senior Director of Intellectual Property, Sanaria Inc., USA
Ways to Avoid Having your Patents Cellected*
The Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit caused frustrations when it decided to affirm the U.S. Patent Office’s findings that claims in four patents were unpatentable because they are...Read more
Portrait image of Tom Irving
Tom Irving
Partner, Marbury Law Group, USA
Portrait image of Michelle E. O'Brien
Michelle E. O'Brien
Partner, Marbury Law Group, USA
Portrait image of Xiaoguang Michelle Gao
Xiaoguang Michelle Gao
Associate VP - Assistant General Patent Counsel , Eli Lilly and Company, USA
WeWork’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy and leases in Brazil
Cross-border effects of bankruptcy procedures in the U.S. gained a new chapter in 2023, when WeWork Group filed for Chapter 11. WeWork has since claimed that this reorganization would not...Read more
Portrait image of Nicholas  Minoru Fernandes Yoshino
Nicholas Minoru Fernandes Yoshino
Associate - Legal Affairs, GTIS Partners, Brazil
Portrait image of Juliana Bastianello Baldin Martins
Juliana Bastianello Baldin Martins
Managing Director - Legal Affairs, GTIS Partners, Brazil