As companies start to integrate open source into their IP portfolios, many wonder: What about patents? Is it possible to have both a patent portfolio and fully participate in the open source community? The answer is yes, it is possible. But it requires a lot of thought and care, and a clear understanding of the different roles of patents and open source in supporting the business. Open source licenses do implicate patents, but that isn't the end of the story. This discussion will provide guidelines for managing a "mixed" IP portfolio including both patented and open source technologies.

Van's Bio:

Van Lindberg is a partner at Taylor English, where he focuses on the intersection of law and technology – including patents, copyrights, open source and government policy and practice. Mr. Lindberg is a recognized expert in the area of open source, addressing the business, legal, economic and social aspects of engaging with open source communities. He is the author of the book “Intellectual Property and Open Source" and the founder of OSPOCO, the open source program office as a service company. In addition to open source, Mr. Lindberg works with Fortune 500 companies on their patent strategies and represents a variety of companies for high-stakes IP litigation and inter partes review proceedings before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB).