ip assets and infringement claims: coverage...
Post on 25-Feb-2021
5 Views
Preview:
TRANSCRIPT
Presenting a live 90‐minute webinar with interactive Q&A
IP Assets and Infringement Claims:gInsurance Coverage ConsiderationsWhat IP Counsel Must Know to Protect Assets and Defend Against Claims
T d ’ f l f
1pm Eastern | 12pm Central | 11am Mountain | 10am Pacific
TUESDAY, JANUARY 10, 2012
Today’s faculty features:
Robert D. Chesler, Member, Lowenstein Sandler PC, Roseland, N.J.
Anthony “Sandy” Codding, Jr., Managing Director, Marsh USA Inc., Boston
Carl E. Metzger, Partner, Goodwin Procter, Boston
The audio portion of the conference may be accessed via the telephone or by using your computer's speakers. Please refer to the instructions emailed to registrants for additional information. If you have any questions, please contact Customer Service at 1-800-926-7926 ext. 10.
Continuing Education Credits FOR LIVE EVENT ONLY
For CLE purposes, please let us know how many people are listening at your location by completing each of the following steps:
• In the chat box, type (1) your company name and (2) the number of attendees at your locationattendees at your location
• Click the word balloon button to send
Tips for Optimal Quality
S d Q litSound QualityIf you are listening via your computer speakers, please note that the quality of your sound will vary depending on the speed and quality of your internet connection.
If the sound quality is not satisfactory and you are listening via your computer speakers, you may listen via the phone: dial 1-866-328-9525 and enter your PIN when prompted Otherwise please send us a chat or e mail when prompted. Otherwise, please send us a chat or e-mail sound@straffordpub.com immediately so we can address the problem.
If you dialed in and have any difficulties during the call, press *0 for assistance.
Viewing QualityTo maximize your screen, press the F11 key on your keyboard. To exit full screen, press the F11 key againpress the F11 key again.
DO I REALLY NEED IP/CYBER INSURANCE?
Robert D. Chesler Lowenstein Sandler PCLowenstein Sandler PC
973.597.2328rchesler@lowenstein.com
Cyber Risk? No, not me…
Why do I need cyber risk insurance?
Clients typically think only of web-related exposures and not in terms of their network and data files generallyin terms of their network and data files generally.
Clients often believe that firewalls and other loss mitigation tools are sufficient protection.
M t i ifi tl li t ft i t k l b li th t th iMost significantly, clients often mistakenly believe that their CGL, E&O and property policies protect them from common cyber risks.
5
What are Cyber Risks?
• Cyber risks include both first party losses(i d t l d t b h tifi ti(i.e., data loss, data breach notification costs, business interruption) and third party l (i l it f i i f ilosses (i.e., lawsuits for invasion of privacy or IP infringement)
6
Show me the coverage…
• Over the years, insurers have chipped away t t diti l i li i i th tat traditional insurance policies in a way that
minimizes if not eliminates coverage for th t f lthese types of losses….
7
IP Exposure
1976: ADVERTISING INJURY COVERAGE
“Infringement of copyright, title, slogan, trademark, service mark or trade name,” and “unfair competition or piracy.”“Advertisement” undefined; some courts interpreted it to apply to almost any marketinginterpreted it to apply to almost any marketing activity.
What is “unfair competition or piracy”What is unfair competition or piracy• Anti-Trust• Patent InfringementPatent Infringement
8
IP Exposure (continued)
• Over the years, there was significant litigation over the terms in this coverage grant and it wasthe terms in this coverage grant and it was chipped away…
9
IP Exposure (continued)
1986: ADVERTISING INJURYCOVERAGECOVERAGE
“Copyright, slogan or title infringement”“misappropriation of advertising ideas or
style of doing business.”y g“Advertising” remains undefinedWhat is “misappropriation ”What is misappropriation…
• TrademarkTrade dress• Trade dress
10
IP Exposure (continued)
1998: ADVERTISING INJURY COVERAGE
“infringement of copyrighted advertising materials or infringement of trade marked ormaterials or infringement of trade-marked or service marked titles or slogans.”“Ad ti i ” d fi d“Advertising” undefined.
11
IP Exposure (continued)
CURRENT ADVERTISING INJURY COVERAGE
The use of another’s advertising idea in your ‘advertisement,’ or infringing upon another’s copyright, trade dress or slogan in your ‘advertisement.’
12
IP Exposure (continued)
‘Advertisement’ means a notice that isbroadcast or published to the general publicbroadcast or published to the general publicor specific market segments about yourgoods, products or services for the purposegoods, products or services for the purposeof attracting customers or supporters.
13
IP Exposure (continued)
Th t ISO f t i l i fThe current ISO form contains an exclusion for: ‘Personal and advertising injury’ arising out of the infringement of copyright patent trademarkinfringement of copyright, patent, trademark, trade secret or other intellectual property rights.However this exclusion does not apply toHowever, this exclusion does not apply to infringement, in your advertisement, of copyright, trade dress or slogan.g
14
IP Exposure (continued)
• The ISO form also contains absolute d ti i i j l iadvertising injury exclusions:
– for insureds in internet/media businesses ( d ti i b d ti bli hi(advertising, broadcasting or publishing; designing or determining content of websites for others; and ISPs;others; and ISPs;
– Injury arising out of chat rooms and bulletin boards hosted by the insuredboards hosted by the insured
15
IP Exposure (continued)
• Many insurers are also adding their own customized cyber related IP exclusionscustomized cyber-related IP exclusions often eliminating any meaningful advertising injury coverage given the way mostinjury coverage given the way most companies do business
16
FIRST PARTY LOSSES
• Loss of data (and attendant costs associated with breach notification lawsassociated with breach notification laws and crisis management)B i i t ti ( t k• Business interruption (network outages/power disruptions)
17
DATA LOSS
Courts originally debated whether data loss was “property damage” Someloss was property damage . Some
courts said it wasn’t:– State Auto Prop & Cas v Midwest Computers &State Auto Prop. & Cas. v. Midwest Computers &
More (W.D. Okl. 2001) – American Online v. St. Paul Mercury (4th Cir. 2003)
E bl t F d l I C C– Eyeblaster v. Federal Insurance Company, Case 07-cv-04379 (Oct. 7, 2008) Software is not tangible property and therefore doesn’t
lif “ d ” d GL liqualify as “property damage” under GL policy Insured intended to place spyware on Plaintiff’s computer
and therefore not an error/omission under E&O policy
18
DATA LOSS (continued)
Other courts said it was:
– American Guarantee & Liability Ins. Co. v. Ingram Micro( )(D. Ariz. 2000) Loss of use and functionality held to be “physical
damage ”damage.– Computer Corner, Inc. v. Fireman’s Fund Ins. Co. (N.M.
Ct.App. 2002)
19
DATA LOSS (continued)
• The current ISO CGL form ends the debate, specifically stating that electronic data is not covered tangiblestating that electronic data is not covered tangible property for purposes of the property damage coverage grant (physical damage or loss of use).
• Moreover, electronic data is broadly defined to include “information, facts or programs stored as or on, created or used on, or transmitted to or from computer software, used o , o t a s tted to o o co pute so t a e,including systems and applications software, hard or floppy disks, CD ROMS, tapes, drives, cells, data processing devices or any other media which are used withdevices, or any other media which are used with electronically controlled equipment”
20
DATA LOSS (continued)
• The current ISO commercial property form offers limited coverage (a $2 500 sublimit per policylimited coverage (a $2,500 sublimit per policy year) to replace or restore electronic data destroyed by a virus or intrusion on the computer system.
• The policy excludes coverage for any other cause of loss to electronic dataof loss to electronic data
• The policy expressly excludes loss or damage resulting from manipulation of the computerresulting from manipulation of the computer system by an employee.
21
DATA LOSS (continued)
Disgruntled Employee ofg p yArchitect’s Firm
Deleted 7 years worth of drawingsDeleted 7 years worth of drawings
Value - $2,500,000
22
Business Interruption
• ISO's business income form provides limited f l f d t l t icoverage for loss of or damage to electronic
media and records due to direct physical l dloss or damage So the business interruption insurance most
companies carry only protects against interruptioncompanies carry only protects against interruption caused by a “physical” event and wouldn’t protect against a loss caused by a network disruption, hacker or software malfunction.
23
Business Interruption (continued)
W k f F d C Lib t M t l Fi I• Wakefern Food Corp. v. Liberty Mutual Fire Ins.Co., 406 N.J. Super. 524 (2009). Appellate Division reversed lower court’s grant of summaryDivision reversed lower court s grant of summary judgment to insurer and held that interruption of electrical power to supermarkets was caused by e ect ca po e to supe a ets as caused by“physical damage” to electrical equipment and property within meaning of all-risk policy.
24
THIRD PARTY LOSSES
• Privacy – Blast faxes– Blast faxes– Data mining– Regulatory enforcement actions
25
PRIVACY
How is privacy covered under the current CGLform?form?
• Oral or written publication of material that slandersor libels a person or organization or disparages aor libels a person or organization or disparages aperson or organization or disparages a person’s ororganization’s goods, products or services;o ga at o s goods, p oducts o se ces;
• Oral or written publication of material that violatesa person’s right of privacy.p g p y
26
PRIVACY (continued)
• What constitutes “publication”?p• What is the “right to privacy”?
Secrecy v seclusion–Secrecy v. seclusion
27
PRIVACY (continued)
BLAST FAXING
Is Blast Faxing a “publication of material that violates a person’s right of privacy” to constitute an Advertising Injury?Advertising Injury?
• Yes – Look to the manner of publication. “Publication is the communication of information
ll hi h d i th i i t’ i ht tgenerally which undermines the recipient’s right to be left alone.” The court embraced a broad construction of publication and privacy. Park p p yUniversity v. Am. Cas. Co. of Reading (10th Cir. 2006)
28
PRIVACY (continued)
BLAST FAXING (continued)N L k t th t t i th bli ti N d• No – Look to the content in the publication. Need publication of secret informational content. American States Ins. Co. v. Capital (7th Cir. 2004);American States Ins. Co. v. Capital (7 Cir. 2004);
• Lawsuit alleged a violation of seclusion privacy whereas policy only protected secrecy privacy. Unsolicited faxes don’t contain private information harmful to a third party. Resource Bankshares Corp v St Paul Mercury Ins Co (4th Cir 2005)Corp. v. St. Paul Mercury Ins. Co. (4 Cir. 2005)
29
PRIVACY (continued)
BLAST FAXING (continued)St P l Fi d M i I C B th I t C• St Paul Fire and Marine Ins. Co. v. Brothers Intern. Corp., 2009 WL 865077 (3d Cir. 2009)– General liability personal injury section provided coverage for y p j y p g
‘making known to any person or organization material that violates a person’s right to privacy’
– Court said the policy only covered secrecy (making material known) y y y ( g )and blast fax was invasion of seclusion so no coverage.
– Court stated that if policy provides coverage for ‘oral or written publication of material that violates a person’s right to privacy’ then both seclusion and secrecy are covered.
30
Privacy (Continued)
• This is now a moot issue. Current general liability policies currently exclude blast-fax and related liabilities.
31
PRIVACY (continued)
DATA MINING:ZURICH AMERICAN INS CO vZURICH AMERICAN INS. CO. v. FIELDSTONE MORTGAGE CO.
(Dist.Ct.MD 2007)( )• Mortgage company improperly accessed and used
individuals’ credit information in violation of the FCRA to provide “pre-screened” offers to them.
• Zurich policy contained the “publication in any manner” language.
• Duty to defend – publication need not be to a third party, y p p y,and need not contain the protected information.
32
PRIVACY (continued)
DATA MINING II:NETSCAPE COMMUNICATIONS CORP vNETSCAPE COMMUNICATIONS CORP. v.
FEDERAL INS. CO., (N.D.Cal., 2007)
• Information downloaded from users and transmitted to persons at Netscape and AOL
ti fi th l i j ff f “ kisatisfies the personal injury offense of “making known” information to any “person or organization”.organization .
• No need for widespread circulation
33
PRIVACY (continued)
This too is a moot issue. The current CGL form eliminates coverage for personal andeliminates coverage for personal and advertising injury arising out of violation of a statute ordinance or regulation limiting thestatute, ordinance or regulation limiting the sending, transmitting, communicating or distribution of material or information.
Therefore, there is no coverage available for regulatory suits or expenses related to compliance with privacy breach notification laws – a cost that can be catastrophic for a company doing business in multiple statescompany doing business in multiple states
34
Hence the Need for Cyber Policies!!
Cyber risk and IP policies can help bridge the gap left behindhelp bridge the gap left behind
by CGL, Property and E&O policies for first party andpolicies for first party and
third party cyber/IP losses but policy language varies tremendouslypolicy language varies tremendously
35
One Last Thought
Sidenote for clients at risk due to a reduction in coverage:g
• Duty of Insurer to advise of reduction in coverage at renewalin coverage at renewal
• Duty of Broker to inform client of reduction in coveragereduction in coverage
36
INSURANCE FOR IP EXPOSURESSpecialty ProductsJANUARY 10, 2012
Anthony "Sandy" Codding, Jr.Managing Director
Boston, MA
Specialty Insurance Products
Insurance for Copyright, Trademark, Trade Dress– Media Liability Policies
– Designed for Publishers & BroadcastersDesigned for Publishers & Broadcasters– Also available for digital content
– Corporate Expression PoliciesD i d f di i– Designed for non-media companies
– Limited market– Intellectual Property Policies
– Can include copyright and trademark in addition to patent– Technology E&O Policies
– Copyright infringement of softwareCopyright infringement of software
Insurance for Trade Secrets– Errors & Omissions Policies
MARSH 38January 9, 2012
– Limit trade secret exclusion to the insured’s misappropriation of another’s trade secret
Media Liability Policies: The Coverage
• infringement of copyright, title, slogan, trademark, trade name, trade dress, mark, service mark, service name, infringement of domain name, deep-linking or framing, including, without limitation, unfair competition in connection with such conduct;
plagiarism piracy or misappropriation or theft of ideas under implied contract or other misappropriation• plagiarism, piracy or misappropriation or theft of ideas under implied contract or other misappropriation or theft of ideas or information; including, without limitation, unfair competition in connection with such conduct;
• invasion, infringement or interference with rights of privacy or publicity, false light, public disclosure of private facts, intrusion and commercial appropriation of name, persona or likeness; including, without limitation emotional distress or mental ang ish in connection ith s ch cond ctlimitation, emotional distress or mental anguish in connection with such conduct;
• defamation, libel, slander, product disparagement or trade libel or other tort related to disparagement or harm to character or reputation); including, without limitation, unfair competition, emotional distress or mental anguish in connection with such conduct;
• wrongful entry or eviction trespass eavesdropping or other invasion of the right to private occupancy• wrongful entry or eviction, trespass, eavesdropping or other invasion of the right to private occupancy, or false arrest, detention or imprisonment or malicious prosecution; including, without limitation, any emotional distress or mental anguish in connection with such conduct;
• negligent or intentional infliction of emotional distress, outrage or prima facie tort in connection with Material;
• breach of agreement, implied or otherwise, arising from the failure to maintain the confidentiality of an external source that supplies information or Material to an Insured in confidence; and
• Loss because a third party, which has no ownership relationship with the Insured, acts upon or makes a decision or decisions based on the content of the material disseminated by the Insured or with the Insured’s permission.
MARSH 39January 9, 2012
Insured s permission.
(Based on the Chartis SRP Form 101019 (2/09). Terms and conditions vary by insurer and for each applicant.)
Media Liability Policies: Standard Exclusions
• Fraud , dishonesty & criminal
• Bodily injury & property damageBodily injury & property damage
• Unfair or deceptive business practices
• Recall and reproductionRecall and reproduction
• False advertising
• ASCAP SESAC BMI RIAA or other music licensing organizationsASCAP, SESAC, BMI, RIAA or other music licensing organizations
• Disputes with a related party over the ownership of material
• Trade secret & patentTrade secret & patent
• Software copyright
MARSH 40January 9, 2012
(Not a complete list. Terms and conditions vary with each insurer and for each applicant.)
Media Liability Policies: General Conditions
• Usually available on either a claims made or an occurrence form
• Covers defense costs compensatory damages judgments &Covers defense costs, compensatory damages, judgments & settlements
• The limit is per claim and in the aggregate
• Usually a duty to defend (insurer must assume control of claim, including selection of defense counsel) rather than a duty to indemnify (insurer must reimburse insured for funds expended to defend claim) ( p )policy form – choice of counsel option may be available
• Usually available with worldwide scope
(T d diti ith h i d f h li t)
MARSH 41January 9, 2012
(Terms and conditions vary with each insurer and for each applicant)
Sandy CoddingMarsh99 High St.Boston, MA 02110
Sandy.Codding@marsh.com617-385-0277
Patent Infringement Insurance CCoverage
Carl E MetzgerCarl E. Metzger
Goodwin Procter LLP
©2011 Goodwin Procter LLP
January 10, 2012
The History of the Patent Infringement Insurance Landscape
Clients ask, “What history? What coverage?”
g p
Patent litigation risks have always been present, but the landscape has become substantially more treacherous in recent decades
The insurance industry’s relationship with providing coverage for such risks has been mixed• Typical companies have had limited IP coverage through policies
principally designed for other risks
The Commercial General Liability (CGL) insurance coverage battleground for IP claims
Goodwin Procter LLP 44
A Checkered Landscape
In contrast to other insurance coverage areas, the patent infringement coverage options for business insureds have historically been limited
What makes this risk different from other major risks that insurers What makes this risk different from other major risks that insurers routinely cover? A landscape of danger and opportunity
In the past, insurers who have tried to take advantage of this opportunity in the patent infringement context have encountered difficulties and losses
A cycle of advances and retreats
Goodwin Procter LLP 45
A New Coverage Landscape is Evolving (Slowly)
Although coverage has been restricted under some traditional coverages, the options for specialized coverages have improvedg , p p g p
For business transactions where IP reps and warranties are at issue, R&W coverage for the IP rep may be available
P t t i f i t th l i f ti Patent infringement coverage – the evolving frontier
Goodwin Procter LLP 46
Why Buy Patent Infringement Liability Insurance?
Companies typically protect against significant liability risks through insurance and other risk management protocolsg p
Patent infringement risks stand out for many companies as substantial threats to the company’s well-being and future success
For technology or life sciences companies it can often be “bet the For technology or life sciences companies, it can often be bet the company” litigation
If good insurance coverage options exist at a bearable cost, then this type of insurance makes sense
Goodwin Procter LLP 47
IP Infringement Liability Risk
Specialty Line, Stand-alone
Insurance Will Insurance Will Cover:
Defense Costs
Settlement or Damages Costs
For PastI f i t
Some Contractual Liabilities
Infringement
Goodwin Procter LLP 485
Patent Infringement LiabilityInsurance Is Useful When . . .
Company is negotiating a contract where infringement liability indemnification is an issue:
▪ License▪ Distributor agreement▪ Supplier or vendor agreement▪ OEM agreement▪ Joint development agreement
In an M&A Transaction:In an M&A Transaction:▪ Company is purchaser looking for protection from potential patent
exposures
▪ Company is seller looking for relief from burdensome reps &▪ Company is seller looking for relief from burdensome reps & warranties, escrow, indemnification, delay
Goodwin Procter LLP 49
How to Explore PurchasingPatent Insurance Coverage
Begin the process with a knowledgeable insurance brokerage
g
Not all insurance brokers are equal when it comes to knowledge of IP insurance products
The insurance applicant should:
› select an insurance broker with specific experience in this area, or
› suggest the retail broker use a knowledgeable wholesale broker
Keep counsel involved in the process
Goodwin Procter LLP 50
Submission Process
• Submits application • Offers terms and Applicant
pp
• Provides indication
Insurer conditions
Insurer of interest
• Detailed submissionUnderwriting fee
Insurer & Applicant
• Negotiate
• Accepts terms and
Applicant• Underwriting fee• Legal opinion or patent
search
• Conducts
Applicant
Accepts terms and conditions and pays premium
Insurer
• Conducts underwriting analysis Insurer
• Places the coverage
Goodwin Procter LLP 51
• Varies by carrier and by risk(s) being covered
Underwriting Process
Varies by carrier and risk being covered
Expect detailed questions about:› Products/services to be insured against infringement liability risk› IP covering products/services to be insured› IP covering products/services to be insured› Financials› IP risk management policies and practices› IP dispute history, including costp y, g
Pricing› Based on risk profileBased on risk profile
› Ranges anywhere from 1-10% rate-on-line (for example, 5% premium rate on line for $1M limit of indemnity policy = $50,000)
▪ Price deflators/inflators = deductible co-insurance percentage
Goodwin Procter LLP 52
Price deflators/inflators deductible, co insurance percentage, industry, claims history, market dynamics, strength of IP
Conditions and Exclusions
Terms and conditions vary with the carrier and with each applicant, but be aware of the following . . .pp , g
› The policy form
▪ Typically claims-made, rather than occurrence▪ Typically written as an aggregate limit of indemnityyp y gg g y▪ Typically a duty to indemnify (insurer must reimburse insured
for funds expended to defend claim) rather than duty to defend (insurer must assume control of claim, including selection of defense counsel) policy formselection of defense counsel) policy form
Goodwin Procter LLP 53
Conditions and Exclusions (cont’d)
Terms and conditions vary with the carrier and with each applicant, but be aware of the following . . .pp , g
› Conditions
▪ Geographic scope▪ Scheduled products, IP, contracts ▪ Choice of counsel: varies by carrier▪ Prior Acts” definition▪ “Claim” definition▪ Claim definition▪ “Litigation Costs” or “Defense Costs” definition▪ SIR and co-insurance
Goodwin Procter LLP 54
Conditions and Exclusions (cont’d)
Terms and conditions vary with the carrier and with each applicant, but be aware of the following . . .pp , g
› Exclusions
Willfulness Consequential damages Certain counterclaims and declaratory judgment actions Specific exclusions (i.e., claims brought by certain entities)
Goodwin Procter LLP 55
Additional Litigation Considerations
Analyze all insurance coverages that could be applicable
Litigations and claims evolve over time, and your insurance coverage may as well, so continue to consider possible coverage
IP litigation buy-out coverage -- specialty coverage options may i texist
If you are intending to be a plaintiff in an IP litigation consider the If you are intending to be a plaintiff in an IP litigation, consider the defendant’s possible insurance coverages -- to trigger or not to trigger?
Goodwin Procter LLP 56
Carl E. Metzger, Esq.Goodwin Procter LLPGoodwin Procter LLPExchange Place53 State Street53 State StreetBoston, MA 02110Tel: (617) 570-1770cmetzger@goodwinprocter.comwww.goodwinprocter.com
top related