Joint Ventures

There are many ways to extract maximum value from intellectual property, including outright sale, co-branding, licensing, etc.  One of the strategies we employ for our clients, when appropriate, is to seek out a joint venture based on the client`s intellectual property.  The form typically follows this format: Two parties come together, with one donating intellectual property into the joint venture while the other partner donates capital, manufacturing facilities, etc.  The benefits to the IP owner are, first, the technology or other IP reaches commercialization more quickly and, second, that the IP owner also retains an equity interest in its assets.  Such a joint venture can take place between two unrelated parties as well as between related parties, such as licensor and licensee.  Oftentimes, an existing licensor/licensee relationship shifts into a more equal partnership, where a joint venture is formed in order for the two parties to more equitably share both the risks and the rewards.

Over the years, we have worked on intellectual property-based joint ventures for clients in the fashion and apparel industry and the food industry, as well as the automotive after-market industry.

Clients: Clorox, Hang Ten, DuPont, Lexmark, Sara Lee, Barney's

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