A review of the four primary areas of intellectual property (Patents, Copyrights, Trade Secrets, and Trademarks) as they pertain to the Crypto and Blockchain space, starting with deeper look at how patentability of crypto/blockchain tech is affected by emerging prior art, the Supreme Court’s Alice decision and ramifications of computer-involved innovations.  Suggestions are given for how design patents may protect Web3 developments.  A review of offensive and defensive strategies that may be utilized for patent enforcement and how IPRs may provide a tool for protecting blockchain ideas against litigious entities, in view of global patent protection endeavors. Proprietary and open-source software are evaluated in the realm of copyright, and cautions pertaining to copyright ownership restrictions are provided.  The pros & cons of trade secret protection are covered against the backdrop of the types of innovation that is safeguarded thereby, and the requirements needed to achieve a solid trade secret shield.  The applicability of trademark applications are discussed with regard to protecting crypto and blockchain brands and various enforcement challenges are reviewed. Finally, various industry standardization efforts are reviewed and evaluated against the pros & and cons of adopting such standards

1 CLE Credit Hour:

CA, MD, FL, HI, MA, MI, NY, OH, SD, TX, UT, VA, DC

Pending Approval:

AL, AZ, CO, GA, ID, IL, NJ, NC, PA

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    Jonathan Madsen

    Mr. Madsen is a skillful corporate attorney, intellectual property expert and blockchain/crypto enthusiast, with a demonstrated history of providing high quality legal counsel and brand protection assurance to both private and publicly traded companies in highly regulated industries, offering solutions to executive-level and upper management on a variety of legal matters. Constantly striving to effectively expand practice capabilities and synergize with others to engender a general culture of brand protection and product security worldwide. Mr. Madsen has substantial experience in IP portfolio management, patent drafting and prosecution, trademark procurance and protection, litigation support, strategic IP implementation, and defining global brand protection strategies, while executing corporate priorities, driving profitability by implementing goal-oriented processes to achieve productivity targets and revenue goals. Ready to act, preparing and delivering technically accurate and legally sound work product for brand protection, intellectual property leverage, value chain integrity, risk mitigating practices, and growth objectives.

Course Content