Had the privilege of interviewing John Flynn, Associate General Counsel at IBM, for this episode of Penn State Dickinson Law‘s “Profiles in Leadership” series.

John brings a treasure trove of knowledge, from developing robust patent portfolios to strategic legal counsel for IBM’s innovation and market strategies. We explored how his leadership within IBM’s IP realm has been pivotal to their longstanding success in patent acquisition.

In our conversation, John shed light on various facets of his career and the intricacies of IP law, including the challenges of copyright regimes and the importance of policy advocacy. We also touched on the more personal aspects of his journey, revealing how principles from golf to successful negotiations play a role in his professional life.

Tune in for some enlightening moments:

– From IBM to Law School and back again (1:39)

– Decades of dedication to IBM (7:26)

– The philosophy behind IBM’s patents (9:53)

– The art of internal and external communication (13:46)

– Keys to successful negotiation (19:04)

– Navigating international legal landscapes (26:43)

– The complexities of copyright law (31:03)

– Advocating for IP policy in Washington, DC (37:00)

– Patent strategies and the value of trade secrets (40:38)

– The unexpected lessons from golf (47:30)

– Insights into John’s leadership style (51:20)

A must-watch for anyone interested in the convergence of law, technology, and leadership! #IntellectualProperty #Leadership #Innovation #IBM

(Thumbnail Graphic and Video-Editing Credit: Justin Kulp.)