Meeting Archives: October 1997 [IEEE Northern Virginia Chapter]

presented by

ABSTRACT
In this talk Dan Hassett and Greg Cirillo, IP attorneys from the firm of Willams Mullen Christian, & Dobbins, will give a legal primer for every IT professional on deciphering the legal maze of intellectual property. The talk begins with a refresher on corporate structures and types of corporate entities from partnerships, S-corporations, C-corporations, and limited liability companies.

The talk will discuss how to "build fences" to protect your ideas and products. To this end, the talk will define and describe the use of trademarks, trade secrets, copyrights, and patents in protecting intellectual property. In addition, the talk will discuss how to make money from your products using license and distribution agreements.

Other legal agreements that can protect or restrict others from using your intellectual capital will also be presented, including Independent Contractor Agreements and why they are necessary, as well as as what are permissible restrictions in Non-Compete and Non-Disclosure agreements.

BIOGRAPHY
Dan Hassett is a member of Williams, Mullen, Christian & Dobbins' Intellectual Property Law Section, where he focuses his practice on technology licensing, computer law, trademarks and corporate law. Mr. Hassett's current practice includes general representation of companies and individuals in the technology marketplace. Typical client projects include venture formation, capitalization, commercial finance, strategic alliances, mergers and acquisitions, and contracting for technology development, distribution and licensing. Representative clients include Internet service providers, Internet commerce participants, software developers and computer systems integrators. Mr. Hassett also advises associations and companies on the registration, development and licensing of trademarks, logos and certification programs, as well as domain name protection.

Previously, Mr. Hassett was with the law firm of Galland, Kharasch, Morse & Garfinkle in Washington, D.C. He is admitted to the District of Columbia and Massachusetts Bars. Prior to joining that firm, he was with Rackemann, Sawyer and Brewster in Boston, Massachusetts.

Mr. Hassett is a member of the Computer Law Association, the Information Technology Association of America, and the D.C. Bar Association. He received his law degree in 1989 from the University of Texas and graduated cum laude from Providence College in 1984.