Intellectual Property Management In The Virtual Research And Development Organization

Virtual research and development organization (VRDO) is the application of virtual enterprise (VE) in the R&D field, and it is also the new R&D tendency of enterprises in this knowledge-based times. The invisible asset, which is mainly composed of intellectual property, is the main input and output of VRDO. So it is the key point for the success of VRDO to have scientific intellectual property management.Firstly, the thesis establishes an intellectual property management pattern for VRDO. The invisibility of invisible assets, the non-entity of the organization of VRDO, the publicity of Internet and the distant location of partners make intellectual property management in VRDO very complicated. Based on the periodicity and the main research activities in each phase, the paper establishes a systematic intellectual property management framework: 1st phase concentrates on the affirmation of input intellectual property, 2nd phase focuses on the specific way to use the input intellectual property and 3rd phase centers on the proprietary of the new intellectual property.Secondly, the thesis analyzes the management activities of each phase in detail. The first phase—formation centers round the affirmation of input intellectual property and thus establishes the static basis for the attachment of output intellectual property. The paper conducts systematic comparison in the facticity, excellence and reliability through quantitative and qualitative analysis. The second phase---operation centers on the integration and share of input intellectual property. The permission, share of input and record of output are the three dimensions to represent the contribution of partners. The third phase---dissolution centers on the allocation and use of new intellectual property. The share of input and the coordination of R&D process lead to the share of new intellectual property. The paper puts forward appropriate methods to share the ownership on the difference of countries and enterprises.Thirdly, the thesis puts forward intellectual property protection patterns for the 3 phases in VRDO. The formation phase concentrates on the organization design, so it is suitable to adopt the contract way to prearrange the use of input intellectual property and allocation of output intellectual property. In the operation phase, the partners communicate message through Internet, so the complete information infrastructure and specific technological measures are the right way to protect the communicated messages. In the dissolution phase, the law is the main way to provide relief for the intellectual property disputes. So the equal legal protection and the ascertainment of jurisdiction are the prerequisite of disputes resolution.Finally, the thesis analyzes the intellectual property management through 2 VRDO practices and points out that it is the important precondition for the Chinese enterprises to strengthen its central role and intellectual property management when it adopts VRDO to cultivate its R&D capability.