Everybody wants to think of a great idea that will make them rich. A good indication that you have a great idea is that someone copies it but, by then it can be too late. This is too bad as a lot of the knowhow to protect your ideas is free but buried in a mass of detail and exceptions which most people put in the "too hard" basket. Some IP protection you must pay for, such as trademarks but it is well worth it, provided it is done properly. Intellectual Property ("IP") has been described by the Financial Times as one of the key drivers of business competitiveness in the 21st century. Therefore, a clear understanding is essential not only for creative people or entrepreneurs but for anyone who wants to succeed in business and not have their ideas stolen.It does not even need to be your idea. Using IP law you can cheaply gain ownership of other people's ideas and then use your business skills to make a killing.By focusing on the IP legal advice that his small to medium sized business clients have been willing to pay for, Paul Brennan has written a book which will enable you to say "that's my IP" and at least sound as if you know what your talking about which can be the cheapest and most powerful of weapons available to you.Illustrated by legal cartoons drawn by the author this little book combines the qualities of a useful reference book on IP law with wry humour and the odd belly laugh.YOU WILL LEARN ABOUT: - Identifying your IP- Protecting your brand and content- Who owns what in joint projects- Fights over names- Internet disputes- How to avoid unintentionally giving it awayPaul is uniquely qualified to write this book. He has practiced law in Europe, North America, Asia and Australia. His experience of IP enforcement with a US multi-national, as a partner in law firms in London and Sydney, and ten years in Asia have combined to give him a broad experience. A post graduate in international copyright law, he now runs his own general commercial and property law firm working with small to medium sized businesses.
Author Biography
My resume states, "Schooling: St Thomas More, Chelsea, London", however my school report read, "Lazy, talkative and notable". I thought "notable" did not sound too bad until I realized it was "not able". They were the days before parent rage stalked school halls and teachers would give their unrestrained opinions, such as my gym teacher who wrote "physically immobile". I joined London's Metropolitan Police Cadets. Marching, exercise, study and discipline. I was terrible at it all or so they said, however, there was a gradual improvement. After two years, I had achieved average and was assigned to Greenwich Police Station. The Police Sergeants, who were our instructors, did this by shouting "Move yourself" and "Shut up"; Still good advice for me today. At 18, I was a US Summer Camp Counselor. The US experience changed my life and within four years my resume would record LL.B (Hons). My first job was as a law clerk at McMillan Binch, a large Toronto firm. Finally, I started two year articles in a general practice called Rimmers in Aylesbury, UK. I became a solicitor at New Scotland Yard and then at the criminal firm, which once represented Christine Keeler. In 1985, my wife and I opened the first Brennans solicitors in Lewisham, South London. I represented up to 5 defendants a day in London's Magistrates Courts: Burglary, drink driving, assaults. After two years, we emigrated to Sydney. Within 6 months of arriving, the flat property market boomed and my wife and I had set up Brennans no. 2. The boom ended and we went to Hong Kong, where we stayed for 10 years. At first I was a consultant at a criminal firm: Smugglers, Madams and a transvestite shop lifter. It was an improved class of criminal clientele and better dressed too. I joined US Multi-national, Intel conducting anti-piracy raids in Asia. After Intel, I was called to the bar and became a tenant barrister in the Middle Temple, London. From there, I was head hunted to be General Counsel of the Federation Against Software Theft to conduct enforcement and lobbying in the UK and Europe. I became a post graduate in IP law and wrote my first book. Later I was sent as an EU IP enforcement expert as part of a delegation to Beijing. I haven't been invited back. Now, I am in general practice with my wife on Queensland's Sunshine Coast. We have four children and yes I did lecture them on the importance of hard work by skating over my own school record, as most parents do.
