RETAIL SERVICES AND IP
Retailers should consider their current and future IP rights and obligations before entering an agreement that may implicate those rights—identifying how IP rights can potentially be allocated in an agreement with a manufacturer, distributor, promoter, advertiser, or another retailer.
A retailer may combine forces with another party to develop new IP. While joint ownership may offer both parties a strategic position, it is important to understand the risks of such an arrangement. Without an express agreement addressing each party’s rights in a joint ownership agreement, it can be difficult to discern who has rights to product improvements, which can lead to costly disagreements. You should understand how joint ownership is generally defined for patents, copyrights, and trademarks to avoid confusion.
