The Long View
Politics, tariffs, and trade wars have been crowding out other news, so The Thread took a look back at this day in history for events of interest. Reports from 1974 and 1959 surprised us with their relevance, but we went all the way back to July 24, 1911, the day Hiram Bingham (re)discovered Machu Picchu, for a story that may help you regain some historical perspective.
Are there limitations on which aspects of a business you can protect?
Risk to a company’s IP can come from anywhere. Even when internal security measures are strong, outside vendors can create vulnerabilities. Several large automakers recently discovered that a weakness in the third party supply chain resulted in a large scale leak of trade secrets. Employer vigilance is essential, but sometimes necessary protections can begin to look like unacceptable restrictions. “No poach” agreements among fast food franchises, a variation on non-compete covenants, can make it difficult for employees to move from one chain location to another for better hours or a promotion. Several states have begun investigating these agreements, and some chains have chosen to eliminate them.
When your business is assessing the financial aspects of these marketplace risks, consider contacting Asterion. Our consultants are experienced in valuing IP and assessing IP damages, as well as in evaluating the financial impact of non-compete agreements.
Trends We’re Watching
Debt is rising, both personal and corporate.
On the Lighter Side
Flora and Fauna news, from the sublime to the ridiculous.
What’s Puzzling Us: The Power of Sunk Costs
Mice behave like humans, appearing to endure long waits for the possibility of rewards. (Perhaps they really do suffer when you move their cheese.) Meanwhile, Spain’s efforts to build a working submarine add new understanding of the meaning of sunk costs.
The Thread Recommends: Exploring PA’s official ice cream trail.
Spotlight on Intellectual Property
Asterion has extensive experience in the provision of expert and commercial advice related to the financial and economic issues surrounding Intellectual Property (“IP”).