December 15, 2021 @ 12:30pm - 1:30pm PST

Viterbi Startup Garage: Legal Clinic - Employee/Independent Contractor IP Assignment Contracts

Failing to include the appropriate language in employment contracts regarding IP ownership, or improperly distinguishing between employees and independent contractors, can present significant legal challenges. In this session, we will discuss the factors that determine whether an individual is an employee or an independent contractor, the requirements for copyrighted works (such as software code) to be considered “works made for hire,” and important assignment and ownership clauses to include in contracts for employees and independent contractors to ensure that all IP rights are owned by the company.

Hosted by Dustin Szakalski who is a partner in Lewis Roca's intellectual property practice group. Dustin specializes in patent application preparation and prosecution at the U.S. Patent Office, trademark clearance and preparation, IP licenses, NDAs, and IP enforcement. He holds a degree in Aerospace Engineering from USC Viterbi School of Engineering. Before attending law school, Dustin worked as a structural design engineer for Northrop Grumman and then as a flight test engineer for Boeing. Dustin has experience with a wide variety of technological areas, including SaaS, AI robotics (computer vision, artificial neural networks, machine learning), medical devices, automotive technologies, consumer electronics, and industrial equipment. Genevieve is a recent transplant to Southern California from the Pacific Northwest. She has an MBA from University of Washington and an undergraduate degree from Washington State University.

Email Arcelia Navarro for questions about the event, vsg@usc.edu

RVSP - Open to ALL - Free