FAQ
Stay in the Know
WHAT IS THE MAIN FUNCTION OF ATA? IS THIS A POLICY ORGANIZATION?
ATA’s focus is supporting its member companies on IP issues that they are facing currently. We attempt to address the “here and now” problems like prior art capture, PTO training and engagement, and PTAB & Federal Court strategies. ATA is not an IP policy organization. We plan to work with policy organizations (including the Alliance for Automotive Innovation) as longer term policy issues are identified by ATA members.
WHO CAN JOIN?
Our membership rules are pretty flexible. Operating Companies that are focused on moving people or things are eligible. So any company related to the auto, rail, airline or freight industries would be potential members.
WHY SHOULD I JOIN?
The IP environments around the world are chaotic and ever changing. Managing IP risk is a never ending challenge for companies in all spaces. And the transportation & freight industries are rapidly changing with the advent of new technologies that will drastically alter the way people and freight are moved from place to place. Collaborative IP organizations started popping up after the smartphone IP wars (both NPE and company to company) had already taken a massive toll on so many industry giants. Those organizations played a huge part in stabilizing the markets by 2015.
The direction of the evolving transportation IP community is looking eerily similar to the smartphone marketplace of the late 2000s. ATA aims to draw from empirical lessons learned to forge a new direction for its members.
IS THIS AN UNITED STATES FOCUSED ORGANIZATION?
No, our goal is to support members where they operate. Due to the North American market size, there will be a lot of work focused there, but we intend to be very active in Asia and Europe as well.
IF I JOIN, WHAT ARE MY RESPONSIBILITIES?
We ask that all members attend our 2 meetings per year. We will attempt to have one meeting in the US and one in either Asia or Europe each year. We also want members to engage; to share problems and potential solutions. We will have a number of subcommittees to work on the initiatives we identify. But any effort required should be directly relevant to improving the IP environment for your companies.
WHAT IS THE COST OF MEMBERSHIP? WHAT ARE THE FUNDS USED FOR?
The membership fee is $20,000 per year. Fees are used to pay the costs of running the organization including costs incurred with ATA initiatives, legal and operational support, and our bi-annual meetings. Officers and Directors of the organization are NOT paid. All of our members’ work is voluntary and pro bono.
WHO COMPRISES THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS?
Initially, the first 7 companies to join ATA have/will automatically become board members with a term of 2 years. Before the completion of the 1st term, elections will be held with a goal of obtaining board participation from as many different industries within the transportation sector as possible. A maximum of 11 board members can be elected. And elections will continue every 2 years ongoing.
HOW DO YOU HANDLE POTENTIAL ANTITRUST ISSUES?
ATA has an explicit Antitrust policy to insure compliance with government laws and regulations. And we contract with the Norton Rose Fulbright law firm to provide Antitrust counsel. An antitrust attorney from Norton will be present at every ATA meeting.