Sirti and Gonzaga University School of Law Announce Sirti IP/BizNet
| January 7, 2008 |  View for printing |
Sirti Business Clients Gain Valuable Access to Legal Services
Sirti http://www.sirti.org , a Washington State economic development agency focused on accelerating the development and growth of technology-based companies in the Inland Northwest and the Gonzaga University School of Law http://www.law.gonzaga.edu today announced Sirti IP/BizNet legal services for Sirti clients.
Sirti IP/BizNet is designed to address the business-critical legal services needed for the successful formation, protection and long-term success of Sirti’s technology-based clients. Sirti IP/BizNet legal services include the research and acquisition of intellectual property such as patents, trademarks and copyright protection, as well as business contracts and employment agreements.
The first service of its kind in the Northwest, Sirti IP/BizNet is a unique partnership that blends the specialized knowledge of a respected national law school, internationally renowned local law firms and a technology focused state business accelerator to address the business-critical legal requirements of technology-based start-up companies. Legal services are performed for Sirti clients by Gonzaga University law students supervised by expert attorneys at local firms that focus on business and/or intellectual property law.
Adequately protecting intellectual property and developing the unique contract agreements associated with technology-based businesses is costly at a time when start-ups need the work done most but can least afford it. Gonzaga University law students work closely with Sirti clients to understand and document their intellectual property in preparation for securing patent protection. These students possess the legal skills necessary to perform this research and their work is supervised and reviewed by local law firms—Lee & Hayes, PLLC http://www.leehayes.com/default.html and K&L Gates LLP http://www.klgates.com/Home.aspx to start.
The end result of this work will be exclusive rights—patents, trademarks and copyrights—to the client’s intellectual property secured under the auspices of the United States Patent and Trademark Office. Students and affiliated law firms will also work with Sirti clients to identify and develop a variety of necessary standard contracts, key employee compensation agreements and more.
“Protecting a technology start-up’s intellectual property is vital and a top priority when Sirti staff engages with a client. Sirti’s Client Services team helped shape a creative framework within which the academic knowledge of Gonzaga University School of Law students is matched with the expertise of local firms to create a winning combination for the client, the school and the firm,” said Kim Zentz, Sirti Executive Director. “Building on the commendable success of two pilot projects with Lee & Hayes, PLLC, and K&L Gates, LLP , we believe this unique program rewards the community spirit of both the law school and local law firms while providing a platform for students to apply classroom skills to solve real world problems.”
Gonzaga University School of Law students are required to perform public service work as part of their course of study. Students will contribute their efforts as either part of the school’s Externship Program, or on an individual volunteer basis. “The Gonzaga University School of Law is dedicated to educating the whole student, and legal services for the benefit of the community are part of that commitment,” said Earl Martin, Dean of Gonzaga University School of Law. “Our partnership with Sirti is a unique opportunity for Gonzaga law students to fulfill their public service requirement, gain valuable experience, work with potential employers and, in some instances, earn credit. Students are exposed to experienced IP attorneys and the real world of business and patent law. It’s a terrific program.”
The Gibby Media Group, a Sirti off-campus client, was one of the first companies to benefit from Sirti IP/BizNet legal services.
“Sirti understands the financial challenge their client technology start-ups face to protect core intellectual property,” said Gibby Media President and CEO, Lon Gibby. “It’s an expensive problem that inhibits our ability to capitalize on our innovations and grow businesses locally. Sirti developed the perfect solution: IP/BizNet legal services. Sirti facilitated the assignment of our Gonzaga Extern who, working with Lee & Hayes, has us on track with patent documentation and filing, and trademark registration. Sirti IP/BizNet solves a huge problem and enhances a technology company’s opportunity for long-term success.”
Sirti clients that are in a pre-sales product development state can receive legal assistance at no cost. Clients with limited income or good financial backing will benefit from substantially reduced rates on these services. Gonzaga University School of Law students doing research and filings will be provided with fully equipped office space at Sirti to perform their work as well as conference space for client meetings. Supervising attorneys will participate in initial planning meetings and consult regularly with the students assigned to the project to review work and discuss next steps. Supervising attorneys will also meet on a scheduled basis with client companies. All work will be final-reviewed by supervising attorneys.
Sirti’s IP/BizNet has been successfully pilot tested with law students working with Sirti Clients and local law firms. Sirti IP/BizNet is the latest addition to Sirti’s customized client services offered to both on-campus and off-campus Sirti clients.
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About Gonzaga University School of Law
The Gonzaga University School of Law is located on the 120-acre Gonzaga University campus in Spokane, Washington. Founded in 1912, the law school’s mission is to provide an excellent legal education informed by its humanistic, Jesuit, and Catholic traditions and values. The school lives this mission by graduating compassionate counselors and ethical advocates who are committed to public service, social justice, and the engagement of other cultures.
The law school’s Externship Program allows students to expand their understanding of the law and learn about the practice of the discipline through field placements with practicing lawyers and judges. Students can earn up to ten hours of graduation credit through the program. For more information, visit Gonzaga University School of Law at http://www.law.gonzaga.edu, or call or call 509-323-3700.
About Sirti
Sirti is an agency of the State of Washington which is a collaboration of business, higher education and government to accelerate the development and growth of technology and biomedical companies in the Inland Northwest, especially in Eastern Washington. Its target clients are innovative technology companies with defensible intellectual property, large market potential, and principals who show a strong desire to grow their business.
Sirti offers two state-of-the-art buildings with a total of 40,000 square feet of space with wet labs and light manufacturing potential along with full service offices and a sophisticated IT infrastructure. Sirti offers business coaching and management assistance, as well as access to capital and Sirti IP/BizNet legal services. Sirti’s experienced staff and veteran entrepreneurs provide expertise in technology assessment, market research, strategic planning, marketing, finance and management for both start-ups and high-growth businesses. For more information, visit Sirti online at http://www.sirti.org or contact us at 509-358-2000.
CONTACTS:
Rosanna Peterson
Director, Externship Program
Gonzaga University School of Law
509-323-3688
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Linda Hemingway
Director of Market Development & Communications
Sirti
509-358-2031
lindah@sirti.org 
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