Intellectual Property: What Is It? Why Does It Matter?

Topic: In this presentation, Manjula Variyam of Aambell PC delves into an overview of Intellectual Property (IP) law, exploring questions such as: What are the different types of IP assets? How are they protected? How long does IP protection last? What are the reasons to protect your IP assets? She will go in-depth into IP issues of interest to software companies, including the question of patentability of software inventions. She will also touch on IP implications of Artificial Intelligence (AI).

Bio: Manjula Variyam is a Texas-based attorney focused on all aspects of intellectual property law, including patents, trademarks, copyrights, and technology transfers. She has more than fifteen years of extensive experience preparing, prosecuting, and managing patent applications in an array of technologies: medical devices, semiconductors, artificial intelligence, sensors, data science, blockchains, autonomous vehicles, communication networks, electronics, software, cloud computing, oil and gas, and even hobby crafts. She also has experience conducting patent searches, preparing patentability reports, developing patent licensing strategies, supporting patent litigation, and advising technology companies with complex intellectual property needs.

Prior to starting Aambell PC, Manjula worked at different law firms, focusing on all aspects of intellectual property law. She has wide experience working as a lawyer, from an associate at a large, international law firm to shareholder at a boutique law firm, to a solo practitioner. She has also worked as an fractional legal counsel, advising small to mid-sized companies on technology transactions, service agreements, non-disclosure agreements, and mergers & acquisitions. Manjula brings to her practice empathy and skills through her own experience as an entrepreneur, business owner, attorney, and engineer.

Manjula graduated from Indian Institute of Technology-Madras, followed with a Master’s from Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta, Georgia. She worked as an engineer at Texas Instruments before embarking on a legal career with a law degree from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas. She is admitted to practice in Texas and before the United States Patent and Trademark Office.

About the Brew:

The IQ® Brew is a free, public networking and educational series featuring short presentations from entrepreneurs, small business owners and subject-matter experts.

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