AI Magazine Issue 2 2017

Acquisition International - February 2017 29 Founded in 1982, Global Prior Art is an IP research and analysis firm which is widely known by its trademark ‘The Most Trusted Name in IP Research.’ We were recently awarded the Leading Advisors of the Year award, in recognition for our role as an established leader in the field of world-wide prior art searches and our proven record of success in thousands of high stakes cases. PA’s combination of in-depth technical expertise, search approach, institutional knowledge and familiarity with the best sources worldwide for highly relevant art in each technical category yields better outcomes. Our main office is based in Boston, MA, USA and we also have employees based in key international regions. I am the firm’s managing director and founder. In this position, I oversee GPA’s Engineering Division which is comprised of the Electronics and Semiconductors Group, Telecommunications and Networking Group, Software & E-Commerce Group and the Mechanical Engineering & Consumer Products Group. I am also a member of GPA’s Life Science Management Committee which oversees the Medical Device, Chemistry & Pharma and Biotechnology Groups. My team encompasses more than 60 full time specialists, including staff in Japan, Germany, Russia and China who cover critical art in their native language. I am currently also leading an initiative to create several new IP services which will be introduced in 2017. GPA’s efforts include IP due diligence in support of acquisitions. It is imperative to confirm that a potential acquisition target has strong patents and key products will not be blocked by infringement claims raised by competitors or NPEs. We also conduct freedom to practice, invalidity searches, licensing due diligence, patent portfolio (white space) analysis and corporate innovation strategy. GPA’s Engineering division comprises its Software & E-commerce, Semiconductors & Electronics, Telecommunications & Networking and Mechanical Engineering & Manufacturing Groups. In addition, GPA has strong expertise in the life sciences, including experts in biotechnology, chemistry and pharma as well as medical devices. Company: Global Prior Art, Inc. Name: Bruce Rubinger Email: rubinger@ globalpriorart.com Web: www.globalpriorart.com Address: 21 Milk Street, 6th Floor, Boston, MA 02109 Phone: +1 (617) 574-9574 The Smart Choice G 1702AI06 The Smart Choice GPA created the concept of accurate and actionable IP landscapes more than 20 years ago and our systems and methods have continued to evolve over time. The third-generation IP landscape software was introduced in 2006. Over the last five years, we have worked at the intersection of technology, intellectual property and strategy, identifying critical synergies that have allowed our clients to more effectively exploit the opportunity space and to guide their innovation activities. We are also assisting companies to ward off assaults by patent trolls and competitors, allowing them to emerge as financially successful innovators. Our clients are constantly addressing issues surrounding the latest technologies (patent ownership, freedom to practice, portfolio strategy) which has the consequence that GPA is constantly dealing with the latest technologies and the opportunities they represent. In terms of the people who work here, our analysts and managers are world-class scientists and engineers who are expertly trained in our proprietary search methodology and receive on- going education on IP-related matters that affect our clients. I believe that the key to a successful business is: recruit strong performers; provide an environment where there is challenge and great satisfaction; nurture the continuing development of staff and promote individual learning along with organisational learning. For leading companies and their outside law firms, we provide the right strategic search partner to complement their internal strengths. Most of our work arises fromclient recommendations. Currently more than 95% of GPA’s efforts are for repeat clients. The growing use of IPR filings has led to support for more joint defence groups. Increasingly we are informed that GPA was recommended by many members of the JDG. Benchmarking by several JDGs, law firms and leading electronics, medical device, software and biotech firms found that GPA’s scientific approach consistently yielded stronger findings. Concerning our plans for 2017 and beyond, I can say that we’ve added technical experts in several critical areas to support new initiatives this year. “Most of our work arises from client recommendations . Currently more than 95% of GPA’s efforts are for repeat clients .”