tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7923005810906159036.post1365000406079447339..comments2024-03-27T12:49:05.975+00:00Comments on IP finance: NORTEL's LTE PatentsAnne Fairpohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02579190868405783459noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7923005810906159036.post-84393978000270548422009-08-14T18:03:57.468+01:002009-08-14T18:03:57.468+01:00The 'National treasure' argument is based ...The 'National treasure' argument is based on Canadian competition law, which allows government intervention in any transaction over a certain amount if it would be contrary to national interests, or any transaction if contrary to national security.<br /><br />The argument is something along the lines of A.) Canadian Government supported Nortel through tax breaks and R+D credits to tune of hundreds of millions of dollars B.) Patents have significant commercial value which should flow back into Canada C.)Selling patents will 'gut' company leaving only a scar in our high tech sector, while forcing Nortel to keep them (Or sell them to RIM as RIM is arguing) will maintain a significant tech, or enhance a significant tech company, in Canada.<br /><br />It is unlikely that the Government will stop this sale, although they are 'reviewing' the matter. <br /><br />These provisions have only been used once in recent history, to stop Macdonald Detwieler (Aerospace company responsible for CanadaArm)from completing a proposed sale to an American company which primarily supplied the US military.James Wagnerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02409399188953903135noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7923005810906159036.post-32586327277344093912009-08-14T11:44:59.126+01:002009-08-14T11:44:59.126+01:00Rob,
Do you know of any examples where patent rig...Rob,<br /><br />Do you know of any examples where patent rights have been characterized as a "national treasure" and such characterization has been taken into account by the court in disposing of patent assets in bankruptcy?Neil Wilkofnoreply@blogger.com