Intellectual property (IP) is a valuable asset for any organization, but it can also be a source of confusion and misunderstanding for non-IP professionals. Whether you are negotiating contracts, managing projects, or collaborating with external partners, you need to communicate IP-related information clearly and effectively. Here are some tips on how to do that.
Before you start sharing IP-related information, you need to know who you are talking to and what they need to know. Different audiences may have different levels of familiarity with IP concepts, terms, and implications. For example, a technical team may need more details on the IP specifications and requirements of a project, while a legal team may need more information on the IP rights and obligations of the parties involved. You should tailor your communication style and content to suit your audience's needs and expectations.
Communicating IP information to non-IP professionals requires breaking down complex concepts into simpler terms. Use of analogies and avoiding jargons helps most of the times as people in general relate to real world examples. E.g. compare patents to a recipe for a dish, trademarks to brand logos, and copyrights to a book or movie script. One should always start with fundamentals of IP before delving into more complex details and a foundation must be established by explaining the different types of IP (patents, trademarks, copyrights) and their general purposes. Storytelling using layman terms has been helpful on all aspects e.g. instead of saying "IP infringement," you might say "copying someone else's work without permission."
First of all, I would never use the phrase "Intellectual property/law/patent,...", because, when I first heard these words, I had no idea what those meant, due to a lack of information sharing in the school to college studies Okay, Let me show my way of introducing IP to non-IP people. #1 Measure his/her (non-IP person; in my case most of the time individual inventors and my close friends and family) knowledge in IP; #2 Based on their knowledge in IP use only their comfortable level of technical words; #3 Add some small examples (such as Apple VS Samsung); #4 Try to get some information/idea about that example from them; #5 Once he/she is comfortable in it then give some more examples and get feedback. Believe me, this helps a lot.
Drawing analogy to real world examples - I generally explain an IP right as being akin to having a an immovable property. The immovable property has a commercial value and has been developed/modified by the owner. He/she could rent it out (exclusively or to several people) and get a rent (royalty) or sell it to someone else to obtain a value (sale consideration). It is thus imperative that the owner gets the property registered with the land authority (IP authority in case of IP) and take all necessary steps to comply with the statutory requirement (IP acts). The statutory requirements define the criteria for the property to be registered- there should not be unauthorised encroachment on any one else’s land ( akin to Patentability criteria)
Communicate IP matters to non-IP individuals by avoiding jargon and using plain language. Illustrate concepts with relatable examples. Emphasize the practical impact on their work or business. Break down complex processes into digestible steps. Encourage questions to ensure understanding. Provide visual aids and analogies to simplify technical aspects. Tailor your communication to their background, fostering a collaborative understanding of the importance and implications of intellectual property matters.
Communicating intellectual property (IP)-related information to non-IP professionals can be challenging due to the technical and legal nature of IP concepts. Some of the tips to effectively convey of IP information, like avoid jargon, use analogies, tell stories, visual aids, focus on impact, provide practical examples, interactive sessions, use plain english documents, training programs, provide resources. The key is to bridge the gap between the technicalities of IP and the understanding of your audience. By adopting clear and accessible communication strategies, you can effectively convey IP-related information to non-IP professionals.
One of the biggest challenges of communicating IP-related information is to avoid jargon and technicalities that may confuse or alienate your listeners or readers. You should use plain language that is simple, clear, and concise. Plain language does not mean dumbing down your message, but rather explaining it in a way that is easy to understand and relevant to your audience. You should avoid using acronyms, abbreviations, or legal terms without defining them or providing examples. You should also use analogies, metaphors, or stories to illustrate your points and make them more relatable.
When explaining intellectual property to someone unfamiliar with the concept, it’s best to use plain and simple language. Early in my career, I realized that when I mentioned ‘intellectual property,’ people often confused it with real estate. They weren’t aware that it actually refers to creations of the mind, like inventions, literary works, designs, or company logos. To avoid this confusion, it’s more effective to use straightforward examples and everyday language. Like for example a good approach could be to say, “Intellectual property is like owning your ideas or creations in the same way you own physical things, like a car or a house.”
Tell it through real-life stories! Talk with non-IP people who have already experienced its benefits, and take note of the language they use in describing their experience. That same language will be the one most understood by their peers, and thus also be the best language for you to use.
Yes, use of plain language while communicating and avoiding to use legal and technical language would be a base to effectively communicate IP aspects to non professionals.
Effective IP messaging avoids barriers erected by insider jargon. Rather than dumbing down substance, plain language smartly clarifies context. Explain acronyms, abbreviations and technical terms with simplicity and precision. Leverage analogies and anecdotes to translate complex concepts into understandable insights. Complexity cries for demystification, not elimination. Meet audiences where they comprehend, using language that enlightens rather than confounds. Plain communication builds bridges of clarity, enabling IP’s purpose and possibilities to prevail.
Whenever I communicate IP related information, I try and understand the audience firsy and then share the information by reaching out to their level of understanding. This way you will be able to communicate and deliver the required IP related information in a simple manner which is easily consumed by the listener or reader.
Another way to communicate IP-related information effectively is to focus on the benefits and value of IP for your organization and your audience. You should highlight how IP can help achieve your goals, solve your problems, or create opportunities. You should also emphasize how IP can protect your interests, reduce your risks, or increase your competitiveness. By focusing on the benefits, you can show your audience why IP matters and how it can benefit them.
People in business/leadership/management (here non-IP professionals) always listen when they see the benefit of what's being communicated or suggested. It is important to emphasize on the fact that IP is a long game. One needs to highlight how IP information helps in identifying the competitors, risks associated with launching a technology/product and clearance, and gaps in the technology for NPD. Also, it should be explained that there is no need to ‘reinvent the wheel’ - R&D and NPD can be fastened by focusing on the other alternatives or by collaboration or licensing and here IP information plays a crucial role.
Sensitizing the IP relevance in an organization/ group / staff /audience and creating the IP awareness and IP enabled culture are pillars for the effective communication of IP related information to non IP professionals.
Emphasizing benefits when communicating IP-related information to clients is crucial. It showcases the practical value, such as protection against competitors, potential revenue from licensing, and increased market value. By highlighting tangible advantages, clients see the direct impact on their business. This approach fosters engagement and a clearer understanding of the strategic role of intellectual property. It aligns legal advice with their business goals, making them more likely to appreciate and proactively leverage IP assets for long-term success.
To support your IP-related information and make it more credible and persuasive, you should provide context and evidence. You should explain the background, purpose, and scope of your IP-related information and how it relates to your organization's strategy, vision, or mission. You should also provide evidence, such as data, facts, or examples, to back up your claims and show the impact or results of your IP-related information. You should also acknowledge any limitations, uncertainties, or challenges that may affect your IP-related information and how you plan to address them.
Finally, you should invite feedback and questions from your audience to ensure that they understand and appreciate your IP-related information. You should encourage them to share their opinions, concerns, or suggestions and respond to them respectfully and constructively. You should also ask them questions to check their comprehension, engagement, or satisfaction. By inviting feedback and questions, you can create a dialogue and build trust and rapport with your audience.
Of course, feedbacks and clarifications are extremally helpful to break the ice and initiate the discussions followed addressing the concerns while communicating and ensuring non IP professional are in position to apricate the IP elements or its relevance and what is IP related information/s.
Seeking feedback and questions when drafting IP agreements is vital for lawyers. It ensures client understanding, aligns agreements with their goals, and prevents misunderstandings. This collaborative process strengthens relationships, tailoring legal provisions to client needs, ultimately enhancing the effectiveness and enforceability of IP agreements.
To convey IP-related information to non-IP professionals, use plain language and real-world examples. Break down complex terms, emphasize practical implications, and avoid jargon. For patents, highlight their role in protecting inventions; for trademarks, explain their significance in branding. Simplify concepts to make them relatable, fostering a better understanding among non-experts.
One thing I found helpful is while dealing with non IP professional it is pertinent to know level of understand of IP. In absence of able to get the IP aspects it is better to train and create awareness among with the non IP professionals. Training can be by providing the basic reading materials or one on one trainings or informative videos or interactive sessions to make it easy to understand the IP aspects. Communication of IP information, requires to explain background, purpose , scope, importance, benefits. Use of illustrative scenarios and relatable examples are good to include to make the communication reachable and understandable to the non professionals.