Practical Advice for Managing IP Issues in Outsourcing Transactions

Whenever a technology or service being outsourced, the IP rights of all parties to the transaction-and perhaps of third parties-are likely be involved in one form or another. Out of that involvement will arise the need during contract negotiations for both the customer and the outsourcer to focus on and control the intellectual property itself, as well as the often difficult and various issues it presents. Also, during the subsequent outsourcing relationship, issues involving intellectual property are likely to arise that will require resolution. This paper provides a primer on how to manage the intellectual property involved in outsourcing transactions and how to deal with certain issues that often arise in connection with outsourcing transactions.