I was recently quoted in How Semiconductor Teams Share Data With Partners Without Exposing Intellectual Property, published by Semiconductor Magazine. The article examines a challenge that many semiconductor and deep-tech companies face every day: how to collaborate with partners, suppliers, foundries, contractors, and customers without inadvertently giving away valuable intellectual property. In my experience, companies often focus on the terms of a collaboration while overlooking a more fundamental question: what information actually needs to be shared to achieve the objective? Too often, technical details are disclosed that go well beyond what is necessary, creating risks for patent protection, trade secret preservation, inventorship, and ownership of future innovations. One practical step is to document disclosures carefully. Maintaining clear records of what was shared, when it was shared, why it was shared, and who contributed to new ideas can help avoid disputes later. This is particularly important in the semiconductor industry, where technical discussions frequently evolve into new inventions and collaborative development efforts. As semiconductor supply chains become increasingly interconnected, companies should treat IP strategy as an integral part of their collaboration strategy. Thoughtful disclosure practices, clear ownership provisions, and proper documentation can help organizations innovate with confidence while protecting the assets that drive long-term value.

You can read the full article here: Semiconductor Magazine Article.

Michael Dilworth is the Founder & Managing Partner of Dilworth IP, where he advises technology companies, founders, and in-house counsel on patents, trade secrets, and intellectual property strategy.

This article is for informational purposes, is not intended to constitute legal advice, and may be considered advertising under applicable state laws. The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author only and are not necessarily shared by Dilworth IP, its other attorneys, agents, or staff, or its clients.