Don Jarrell , President, Digital Thinking Inc. - The problems and opportunities regarding intellectual property do not belong completely to the lawyers. Whether it is staying out of trouble, seeking investment, going through M&A, building alliances, broadening the product portfolio, finding new revenue streams, or generally improving the go-to-market process, high-tech companies are increasingly focused on intellectual property - and the Product Manager needs to know how to act, and influence others, to address those needs. Don, who is not an attorney, will focus on the practical IP business opportunities that need to be managed in conjunction with the company's attorneys.

In this webinar, we will first talk about how IP relates to the typical functions of the Product Manager and constitutes cross-functional and interdepartmental needs and opportunities - like many other Product Management responsibilities. In fact, we'll show how IP management parallels, if not direct integrates with, many of the tasks already recognized as being in the sphere of influence exercised by the "full circle" model of the Product Management role. Coverage will include several "quick hits" that can be applied quickly to many technology-producing companies.

The part of IP that is most frequently talked about in high-tech companies is the patent, even though the usual practices do not include full integration into the product strategy and may leave some issues and opportunities underserved. In this session we will clear up some mysteries and debunk some myths about patents and the patent-sphere.

Don Jarrell is President of Digital Thinking Inc. With over 25 years of experience in a variety of technical, marketing, and management positions in systems, software, and services companies, from start-up to multinational, Don consults on a variety of topics in licensing and managing IP, product management, and business technology strategy. His experience includes Alcatel, Nortel, The Equitable, Qwest Communications, Warner Bros. and several emerging and start-up companies. Don is a frequent speaker presenter on licensing and Open Source, and is past chair of the Software Committee and currently Chair Elect of the High Technology Sector of the Licensing Executive Society. Don is also a member of IEEE-CS, Texchange, Austin Technology Council (ATC), as well as a frequent speaker, and active participant in several discussion forums, on product management, licensing and intellectual property.