Articles

In the past, the oil and gas industry has focused on risk management and capital as the primary means of driving revenue. However in recent years, the industry has seen a radical shift in the competitive landscape and many businesses have adjusted their IP strategies to follow suite. This article provides an high-level overview of the latest key legal cases with the Oil & Gas IP industry, the first on North America, and the second on Europe, the Middle East and Asia.

Ahead of his participation in the Oil & Gas IP Summit 2019, we spoke to Michel De Puydt, Head of Law Department  - IP and Technology at Total  to discuss the challenges of protecting IP and patents as the industry evolves and the key considerations when looking to protect and manage complex IP portfolios. 

This article will cover:

- Issues of commercialisation through technological and collaborative innovation

- How the move from engineering-centred to a focus on software and data has affected how companies approach IP

-The need to preserve, manage and effectively utilise existing patent portfolios

Digitalisation is driving transformative change throughout the oil and gas industry, providing businesses with unparalleled opportunities to create exponential value growth and redefine boundaries. The article explores the actions of major players in the market who have made the realisation that in an age of digital transformation and innovation, those who can adapt and develop new technologies are more easily able to control and influence the direction of the market.