Foxconn Covets Intellectual Property Rights
Besides $4.1 billion subsidy, it seeks IP rights of students, faculty, other companies.
Foxconn is a Taiwanese company but grew into a massive company doing contract manufacturing in China, where snatching intellectual property rights is part of the culture.
A 2011 report by the U.S. International Trade Commission estimated that American firms lost $48 billion in 2009 because of Chinese infringements on intellectual property. The American Chamber of Commerce in China has estimated that “more than 20% of American companies operating in China have been asked to transfer technology to Chinese partners in the last three years,” as a column in the Wall Street Journal noted.
Foxconn seems to using the same kind of approach in Wisconsin. In short, it not only expects $4.1 billion from taxpayers, but also seems eager to grab IP rights from unsuspecting faculty, students and maybe even local companies. Exhibit A is its proposed partnership with UW-Madison. It was initially touted as a $100 million gift by Foxconn which the university would match to establish a new research center.
And it will be doing research needed for the knowledge-oriented company Foxconn now wants to become, in a complete departure from the deal it did with Gov. Scott Walker to become a manufacturing plant creating large screen, 72-inch televisions. FIRST will focus on “the artificial intelligence, 8K resolution and 5G wireless technology ecosystem that we are building in Wisconsin,” as Foxconn founder and CEO Terry Gou declared.
But when faculty and students work on this research, who will have the intellectual property rights to any new ideas and concepts developed?
Kali Murray, co-director of the intellectual property program at Marquette University Law School, tells me she has great concern about how UW-Madison is handling this: “They are ceding rights in areas they shouldn’t be in negotiations with Foxconn,” she says.
Murray asked some probing questions in a story by The Verge examining the agreement between Foxconn and UW-Madison: “What does it mean to cost share with Foxconn? Does that make a faculty member in essence a joint appointment? They’re faculty of UW-Madison, but if Foxconn is paying 50 percent of their salary, in a dispute between Madison and Foxconn, who would be the employer in that situation?”
And who would have the IP rights? “The cooperation agreement lists three different types of research agreements that might come from the partnership, and only one sends intellectual property rights fully back the university,” The Verge reports. “The other two agreement types grant Foxconn the intellectual property that comes of research.”
That seems like a problem for UW faculty, but is particularly alarming for any grad student researchers working on the project, who “could find themselves in a situation where intellectual property arising from their work defaults to Foxconn,” the story reports. “The fruits of research at UW belong to the people of Wisconsin, not to a private corporation,” the UW-Madison Teaching Assistants Association declared in a statement to the State Journal.
In a sign that Foxconn expects to win some IP rights: it is already listing a job opening for a patent attorney to work for the company in Madison.
In response to the concerns of grad students, the dean of UW-Madsion’s College of Engineering, Ian Robertson, “held a town hall and fielded pointed questions from graduate students who are concerned about the partnership’s implications for intellectual property and academic freedom,” The Verge reported. “‘We haven’t been told anything,” says graduate student Sonali Gupta. ‘We went to the town hall to get some answers and came away more confused.’”
Perhaps that’s because there’s a veil of confidentiality over details of Foxconn’s agreement with UW-Madison. Bill Lueders, president of the Wisconsin Freedom of Information Council, condemned this in a statement to the Associated Press, calling it “obnoxious that the University of Wisconsin would agree to (a) secrecy provision in exchange for a $100 million deal that is already designed to primarily benefit the other party…These provisions should never have been agreed to.”
Then there is Foxconn’s much publicized “Smart Cities-Smart Futures” competition calling for “ideas that use technology to address smart education, healthcare, transportation, and housing challenges.” The company says it has “received 325 submissions from higher education students, faculty and staff” across Wisconsin. But who will get the IP rights to any idea that’s developed?
In answer to this question from Urban Milwaukee, the company responded that “Within the scope of this competition, Foxconn will not assert intellectual property rights related to any ideas, concepts, and or solutions.”
But once the competition is completed, the language Foxconn used in describing the competition “reserves the right to use concepts and ideas for its own benefit,” Murray says. “It claims a universal right to any ideas.”
And that right would probably take precedence even for students who have some IP rights through their university. “That’s what a universal license does,” Murray says.
“I would not encourage a student to apply for such a competition as long as universal license was in effect,” she says. Murray adds that she would be even more wary with a company like Foxconn, given the ways companies from China have used intellectual property.
“Foxconn officials want to break new ground in computing, robotics, analytics and other advanced manufacturing techniques at the Wisconsin plant,” the story noted, and “partners in that effort could include Wisconsin businesses such as Rockwell Automation.”
But when that new ground is broken, who gains the IP rights?
That story was back in April, eight months ago, and there’s been no word of Rockwell or any other company taking Foxconn up on its offer. One tech industry insider tells me he talked to Foxconn representatives who said Rockwell CEO Blake Moret met with Foxconn leaders about Rockwell doing contract manufacturing for Foxconn. But Foxconn eventually noted it would get intellectual property rights to any products it made. “Moret blew up and walked out of the meeting,” the source says.
Foxconn declined to confirm or deny or comment at all on an inquiry from Urban Milwaukee describing this meeting: nor would Rockwell. But if this is the approach Foxconn intends to use with state and Midwestern businesses, the word will get around quickly. Indeed, one story has already begun to circulate. Foxconn may find that patent attorney less busy than it was counting on.
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More about the Foxconn Facility
- Foxconn and UW-Milwaukee Host Send-off for Students Embarking on International Engineering Co-op - Foxconn Technology Group - Feb 15th, 2019
- 4 Forces Causing Foxconn Uncertainty - Will Cushman - Feb 13th, 2019
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- Robin Vos Giving $500 an Hour Lawyers a Blank Check to Defend His Scheme to Rig the Rules for Foxconn - One Wisconsin Now - Feb 11th, 2019
- Why Foxconn’s Chinese Style Didn’t Translate - Willy Shih - Feb 8th, 2019
- Back in the News: Foxconn Project in “Chaos” - Bruce Murphy - Feb 7th, 2019
- State To Review Foxconn Air, Water Permits - Shawn Johnson - Feb 6th, 2019
- Joint Statement: Foxconn Developments - Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald - Feb 1st, 2019
- Foxconn No Longer Needs Lake Michigan Water? - Corri Hess - Feb 1st, 2019
- Evers, Foxconn Deny Project Is On Hold - Shawn Johnson - Feb 1st, 2019
- It’s Groundhog Day in the GOP Legislature - State Sen. Tim Carpenter - Feb 1st, 2019
- State Rep. David Bowen’s Statement on Latest Foxconn Flop - State Rep. David Bowen - Jan 31st, 2019
- Murphy’s Law: 12 Reasons The Foxconn Deal Is Dying - Bruce Murphy - Jan 31st, 2019
- Foxconn Played Walker and Republican Leadership - State Sen. Lena Taylor - Jan 30th, 2019
- Rep. Spreitzer statement on latest Foxconn news - State Rep. Mark Spreitzer - Jan 30th, 2019
- New Questions About Robin Vos, GOP’s Lame Duck Law Changes As Foxconn Scales Back Wisconsin Operation - One Wisconsin Now - Jan 30th, 2019
- Foxconn Breaks Promises Again - State Rep. Jimmy Anderson - Jan 30th, 2019
- Shilling Statement on Foxconn Fiasco - State Sen. Jennifer Shilling - Jan 30th, 2019
- Foxconn Won’t Build TVs in Wisconsin - Shawn Johnson - Jan 30th, 2019
- Foxconn Releases 2018 Wisconsin Project Highlights Including Creation of Over 1,000 Jobs - Foxconn Technology Group - Jan 18th, 2019
- Lawmakers Clash On Tracking Foxconn Jobs - Laurel White - Dec 21st, 2018
- Foxconn Reveals First-round Winners of “Smart Cities—Smart Futures” Competition - Foxconn Technology Group - Dec 14th, 2018
- 85% of Land Foxconn Needs Now Sold - Corri Hess - Dec 14th, 2018
- Podcast Shines Light on Mount Pleasant’s Rush to Win Foxconn Deal - A Better Mt. Pleasant - Dec 9th, 2018
- Foxconn’s investment in Wisconsin named ‘Deal of the Year’ by Mid-America Economic Development Council - Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation - Dec 6th, 2018
- Murphy’s Law: Foxconn Covets Intellectual Property Rights - Bruce Murphy - Dec 4th, 2018
- Village Improperly Wielded Eminent Domain Power - A Better Mt. Pleasant - Nov 28th, 2018
- Op Ed: Judge Extends Deadline on Foxconn Case - James Rowen - Nov 28th, 2018
- Murphy’s Law: Is Foxconn Contract Illegal? - Bruce Murphy - Nov 27th, 2018
- “Smart Cities—Smart Futures” Competition Draws Hundreds of Submissions, Supports Wisconsin Innovation - Foxconn Technology Group - Nov 27th, 2018
- Evers Doesn’t Think Foxconn Has Changed Plans - Shawn Johnson and Melissa Ingells - Nov 22nd, 2018
- Pocan and Doggett Request GAO Investigation into Economic Development Subsidies, Including Foxconn - U.S. Rep Mark Pocan - Nov 1st, 2018
- Foxconn and WEDC partner to showcase Wisconsin companies at the first China International Import Expo - Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation - Oct 31st, 2018
- Race for Governor: Evers Questions Foxconn Air Quality - Sarah Whites-Koditschek - Oct 29th, 2018
- Governor Walker: Foxconn’s Ripple Effect Continues to Grow with iMET Center Expansion - Gov. Scott Walker - Oct 22nd, 2018
- Foxconn Invites UW-Madison Students, Faculty, Alumni and Members of the Public to Foxconn Day Technology Showcase & Career Fair - Foxconn Technology Group - Oct 15th, 2018
- Op Ed: Our 1,000 Miles of Great Lakes Shoreline - State Sen. Kathleen Vinehout - Oct 10th, 2018
- Foxconn Issues Request for Proposal to Convert Downtown Racine Location into Smart City Co-Working Innovation Space - Foxconn Technology Group - Oct 9th, 2018
- Foxconn Purchases Downtown Racine Property to Support “Smart City” Initiatives across Wisconsin - Foxconn Technology Group - Oct 2nd, 2018
- Village of Mt. Pleasant Reneges on Agreement to Pay Relocation Benefits for Foxconn - A Better Mt. Pleasant - Sep 27th, 2018
- Connecting Milwaukee workers to Foxconn plant on agenda for tomorrow - Ald. Bob Bauman - Sep 25th, 2018
- Wisconsin Budget: The 8 Lessons of Foxconn - Jon Peacock and Joanne Brown - Sep 21st, 2018
- Foxconn Issues Request for Proposal for Design Enhancements to Foxconn Place Green Bay - Foxconn Technology Group - Sep 14th, 2018
- Foxconn Ramps Up Recruiting with Foxconn Day at UWM - University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee - Sep 13th, 2018
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- Eyes on Milwaukee: Foxconn Hiring Real Estate Specialists - Jeramey Jannene - Sep 11th, 2018
- Campaign Cash: Foxconn Partners Are Big Walker Donors - Wisconsin Democracy Campaign - Sep 11th, 2018
- The Foxconn Effect: Mount Pleasant Bond Rating Downgraded - Democratic Party of Wisconsin - Sep 7th, 2018
- Runoff At Foxconn Site Raises Concerns - Ximena Conde - Sep 7th, 2018
- Murphy’s Law: More Foxconn Bells and Whistles - Bruce Murphy - Sep 5th, 2018
- Op Ed: Foxconn UW Funding Good News - Gregory Humphrey - Sep 4th, 2018
- Foxconn Bonus Continues: New $100 Million Wisconn Valley Venture Fund Created to Drive Innovation in Wisconsin - Gov. Scott Walker - Aug 28th, 2018
- Gov. Scott Walker Has Another Foxconn Fueled Campaign Announcement - One Wisconsin Now - Aug 28th, 2018
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- Foxconn Moves the Goalposts…Again. Walker Says Nothing…Again - Democratic Party of Wisconsin - Aug 23rd, 2018
- Murphy’s Law: Foxconn’s Story Changes. Yet Again. - Bruce Murphy - Aug 23rd, 2018
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- Wisconsin Receives National Award for Economic Development - Gov. Scott Walker - Aug 3rd, 2018
- DPW Response to Walker’s New Foxconn Ads: Walker Knows He’s In Trouble - Democratic Party of Wisconsin - Jul 31st, 2018
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- County Board Urges More Transit Options to Foxconn - County Board Chairman Theodore Lipscomb, Sr. - Jul 26th, 2018
- Murphy’s Law: Foxconn Plays Politics for Walker? - Bruce Murphy - Jul 26th, 2018
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- Murphy’s Law: Foxconn Deal Allows Low-Ball Wages - Bruce Murphy - Jul 17th, 2018
- Walker’s Foxconn Flop Tour Continues - State Sen. Jennifer Shilling - Jul 16th, 2018
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- Op Ed: Foxconn Will Be Major Source of Pollution - David H. Petering - Jul 9th, 2018
- Murphy’s Law: Is Foxconn Double Crossing Walker? - Bruce Murphy - Jul 3rd, 2018
- The State of Politics: Foxconn Deal Has Divided the State - Steven Walters - Jul 2nd, 2018
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- Governor Walker Celebrates Wisconsin Winning the First LCD Manufacturing Facility in North America Foxconn breaks ground on $10 billion investment - Gov. Scott Walker - Jun 28th, 2018
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- Op Ed: Foxconn Deal Already Paying Dividends - Mark R. Hogan - Jun 26th, 2018
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- Matt Flynn Outlines Legal Strategy to Stop Foxconn - Matt Flynn - Jun 13th, 2018
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- Groups Challenge Legality of Foxconn’s Water Diversion - Chuck Quirmbach - May 29th, 2018
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- Kelda Roys Releases Video Featuring Homeowners to be Evicted by Foxconn - Kelda Roys - May 25th, 2018
- Foxconn may break promises to Wisconsin before they even break ground - Democratic Party of Wisconsin - May 23rd, 2018
- Rep. Wachs Responds to News That Foxconn is Cutting Its Investment in Wisconsin - State Rep. Dana Wachs - May 23rd, 2018
- Op Ed: Crony Capitalism of Walker, Hammes, Foxconn - Matt Rothschild - May 22nd, 2018
- Op Ed: Why Democrats Should Embrace Foxconn - Gregory Humphrey - May 21st, 2018
- Roys Makes Foxconn Issue in Governor Race - Chuck Quirmbach - May 16th, 2018
- Follow The Money: Foxconn Edition - Andy Gronik - May 15th, 2018
- Foxconn ties to Walker campaign exposed - State Sen. Jennifer Shilling - May 15th, 2018
- Gov. Scott Walker Orders No Increases for Priorities Like Road Funding, Job Training in Next State Budget - One Wisconsin Now - May 15th, 2018
- Foxconn, Kwik Trip projects receive national acclaim - Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation - May 14th, 2018
- Rep. Wachs Says Walker is Using Taxpayer Money to Line the Pockets of His Donors - State Rep. Dana Wachs - May 14th, 2018
- Mount Pleasant Village Officials Threaten and Censor Foxconn Area Residents - A Better Mt. Pleasant - May 14th, 2018
- Op Ed: Foxconn Deal Will Actually Lose Jobs - William L. Holahan and Charles O. Kroncke - May 11th, 2018
- 2,900-Acre Plan for Foxconn Passed - Chuck Quirmbach - May 10th, 2018
- Flynn Statement on the Illinois Foxconn Lawsuit Against EPA - Matt Flynn - May 7th, 2018
- ICYMI: Illinois to sue EPA over Foxconn pollution - Democratic Party of Wisconsin - May 7th, 2018
- Foxconn Deal Proving Lucrative … For Donors to Gov. Walker’s Campaign - One Wisconsin Now - May 7th, 2018
- Governor Walker Tours State Touting Wisconsin’s Foxconn Bonus - Gov. Scott Walker - May 7th, 2018
- Evers Blasts Walker for Funneling More Tax Dollars to Foxconn - Gov. Tony Evers - May 3rd, 2018
- Back in the News: Pruitt Ruling Allows Foxconn Pollution - Bruce Murphy - May 3rd, 2018
- Shilling Statement on Foxconn - State Sen. Jennifer Shilling - Apr 26th, 2018
- The Contrarian Professor - Scott Gordon - Apr 26th, 2018
- Statement on DNR approval of Racine water diversion - Clean Wisconsin - Apr 25th, 2018
- DNR approves straddling community diversion application from city of Racine - Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources - Apr 25th, 2018
- Bryce Issues Statement on Walker’s Approval of Foxconn’s Air Pollution - Randy Bryce - Apr 24th, 2018
- Legality of Foxconn’s Water Use At Issue - Scott Gordon - Apr 22nd, 2018
- Murphy’s Law: The Full File on Foxconn - Bruce Murphy - Apr 17th, 2018
- Racine Diversion Request Raises Serious Questions; Compact Coalition Urges Regional Review - Compact Implementation Coalition - Apr 16th, 2018
- Foxconn to hold information session for Milwaukee contractors - Ald. Khalif Rainey - Apr 13th, 2018
- Eyes on Milwaukee: Will Foxconn Employ Any Milwaukeeans? - Jeramey Jannene - Apr 12th, 2018
- Ryan departure leaves Foxconn future in question - State Sen. Jennifer Shilling - Apr 12th, 2018
- Release of Council report to ramp up scrutiny of Foxconn development - Ald. Bob Bauman - Apr 11th, 2018
- Op Ed: Billions for Foxconn, Failure for Rural Wisconsin - State Sen. Jon Erpenbach - Apr 9th, 2018
- Where The Great Lakes Compact Ends and Wisconsin Law Begins - Scott Gordon - Apr 5th, 2018
- Murphy’s Law: How Foxconn Will Pollute Wisconsin - Bruce Murphy - Apr 3rd, 2018
- Eyes on Milwaukee: Commuter Rail to Foxconn Proposed - Jeramey Jannene - Mar 28th, 2018
- Op Ed: Journal Sentinel Promotes Phony Foxconn “Report” - Michael Rosen and Charlie Dee - Mar 28th, 2018
- Transit options for Foxconn plant on agenda for Public Transportation Review Board - Ald. Bob Bauman - Mar 27th, 2018
- Op Ed: Why Did MMAC Do Foxconn Study? - James Rowen - Mar 24th, 2018
- Foxconn Package Returns $18 in Economic Impact for Every $1 in State Incentive - Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce - Mar 23rd, 2018
- Petitioners Oppose Foxconn’s Great Lakes Raid - Wisconsin League of Conservation Voters - Mar 22nd, 2018
- Governor Walker Announces Process for Wisconsin Companies to Bid on Work Related to Foxconn Construction - Gov. Scott Walker - Mar 21st, 2018
- Rep. Dana Wachs Says Foxconn Contracts Already Going Out of State - State Rep. Dana Wachs - Mar 20th, 2018
- Matt Flynn Exposes the False Numbers of the Foxconn Fiasco, Vows to Terminate the Contract - Matt Flynn - Mar 15th, 2018
- Op Ed: Foxconn Water Request Violates Law - James Rowen - Mar 12th, 2018
- Work on WIS 20 set to begin March 15t - Wisconsin Department of Transportation - Mar 9th, 2018
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- Foxconn Water Raid Gets First Hearing - Wisconsin League of Conservation Voters - Mar 7th, 2018
- Murphy’s Law: Foxconn Deal Gets Even Worse - Bruce Murphy - Mar 6th, 2018
- New Marquette Law School Poll finds Wisconsin voters divided on benefits of Foxconn deal, but together in support of background checks for gun sales - Marquette University - Mar 5th, 2018
- City Hall: City Will Contest Foxconn Power Deal - Jeramey Jannene - Feb 27th, 2018
- Foxconn Seeks to Raid the Great Lakes - Wisconsin League of Conservation Voters - Feb 22nd, 2018
- Governor Walker Announces International Mold and Production Relocating Operations from Illinois to Wisconsin - Gov. Scott Walker - Feb 16th, 2018
- Dana Wachs Critiques Gov. Walker’s Photo Op with President Trump, Calls for Real Transportation Solutions - State Rep. Dana Wachs - Feb 12th, 2018
- Eyes on Milwaukee: Plan Provides Amtrak Service for Foxconn - Jeramey Jannene - Feb 8th, 2018
- Expanded Amtrak service for Foxconn plant on agenda for Public Transportation Review Board - Ald. Bob Bauman - Feb 7th, 2018
- Foxconn to replace 10,000 workers in Taiwan with robots - State Rep. David Bowen - Feb 7th, 2018
- Eyes on Milwaukee: Foxconn HQ In Downtown Milwaukee - Jeramey Jannene - Feb 6th, 2018
- Wisconsin’s Foxconn Bonus: Foxconn Purchases Building in Downtown Milwaukee from Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance - Gov. Scott Walker - Feb 6th, 2018
- The Contrarian: Foxconn Not Helping Walker? - George Mitchell - Feb 2nd, 2018
- Op Ed: Hire Local Unemployed at Foxconn - Michael Rosen - Feb 2nd, 2018
- Wisconsin Budget: $1.6 Billion of Foxconn Payout Won’t Create Jobs - Tamarine Cornelius - Jan 31st, 2018
- Foxconn’s investment in Wisconsin named ‘Deal of the Year’ by Business Facilities Magazine - Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation - Jan 25th, 2018
- Resolution seeks to spare Milwaukee We Energies ratepayers from huge Foxconn bill - Ald. Bob Bauman - Jan 17th, 2018
- Governor Walker Announces Wisconsin Career Creator Plan to Support Long-Term Workforce Development Needs - Gov. Scott Walker - Jan 17th, 2018
- Wisconsin State Director of Strategic Economic Initiatives, Matthew Moroney to speak on the FOXCONN Development at AGC Corporate Dinner - Associated General Contractors of Greater Milwaukee - Jan 16th, 2018
- WisDOT soliciting bids for WIS 20 road work in Racine County - Wisconsin Department of Transportation - Jan 10th, 2018
- Op Ed: Foxconn’s Low Return on State Investment - John Torinus - Jan 8th, 2018
- Matt Flynn Attacks Green Light Given to Foxconn to Pollute Wetlands - Matt Flynn - Jan 4th, 2018
- Eyes on Milwaukee: City May Contest Foxconn Electricity Deal - Jeramey Jannene - Jan 4th, 2018
- Public Works Committee to discuss rate hike to fund work at Racine’s Foxconn facility - Ald. Bob Bauman - Jan 2nd, 2018
- Eyes on Milwaukee: Will Milwaukeeans Pay for Foxconn Power? - Jeramey Jannene - Dec 27th, 2017
- Eyes on Milwaukee: Should City Buy 500 Acres in Racine County? - Jeramey Jannene - Dec 23rd, 2017
- Murphy’s Law: Foxconn Subsidy Now Exceeds $4 Billion - Bruce Murphy - Dec 21st, 2017
- Gov. Walker’s Foxconn Scam Already Starting to Unravel as News Breaks of Additional $134 Million Cost to Taxpayers - State Rep. Dana Wachs - Dec 16th, 2017
- Eyes on Milwaukee: Could Milwaukee Build A Foxconn City? - Jeramey Jannene - Dec 13th, 2017
- State Senator Janis Ringhand statement on Foxconn earnings report - State Sen. Janis Ringhand - Nov 15th, 2017
- Foxconn Signing Is a Love Fest - Graham Kilmer - Nov 13th, 2017
- Andy Gronik Statement on Gov. Scott Walker’s Re-Election Foxconn Hail Mary - Andy Gronik - Nov 10th, 2017
- Governor Walker, Foxconn Chairman Gou Sign Historic Agreement to Bring $10 Billion World-Class Advanced Manufacturing Campus, 13,000 Jobs to Wisconsin - Gov. Scott Walker - Nov 10th, 2017
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- Gov. Walker’s re-election Hail Mary falls short - State Sen. Jennifer Shilling - Nov 10th, 2017
- The Art of a Desperate Deal - Democratic Party of Wisconsin - Nov 10th, 2017
- Walker Accepts $3 Billion Liability, Rejects Accountability - State Sen. Lena Taylor - Nov 10th, 2017
- Murphy’s Law: Walker Retreats From Foxconn Deal - Bruce Murphy - Nov 9th, 2017
- Top Ten Reasons Wisconsin Got Conned - State Sen. Tim Carpenter - Nov 8th, 2017
- Matt Flynn Statement on the Foxconn Contract - Matt Flynn - Nov 8th, 2017
- Back in the News: WEDC Shifts on Foxconn Contract - Bruce Murphy - Nov 8th, 2017
- Democrats Continue to Lead the Fight to Protect Taxpayers on Foxconn - State Rep. Dianne Hesselbein - Nov 7th, 2017
- Rep. Sargent’s Statement on Second Request for Public Review of Foxconn Contract, WEDC Board’s Two-Day Review - State Rep. Melissa Sargent - Nov 7th, 2017
- WEDC — Seeing Contract Today, A Good First Step, Taxpayer Protection Still Top Priority - State Sen. Tim Carpenter - Nov 6th, 2017
- WisDOT applies for federal Infrastructure For Rebuilding America Grant - Wisconsin Department of Transportation - Oct 31st, 2017
- Gov. Scott Walker’s Foxconn Deal Widely Unpopular Amongst Wisconsinites - Andy Gronik - Oct 26th, 2017
- Murphy’s Law: The Secrets of Foxconn - Bruce Murphy - Oct 26th, 2017
- Matt Flynn Makes Statement on the Corrupt Handling of the Foxconn Contract by Walker’s WEDC - Matt Flynn - Oct 25th, 2017
- Walker jobs agency leaves taxpayers in the dark - State Sen. Jennifer Shilling - Oct 25th, 2017
- Op Ed: Can WEDC Oversee Foxconn Deal? - State Sen. Kathleen Vinehout - Oct 25th, 2017
- The WEDC: As Transparent as Trump with his Tax Return - State Rep. Jimmy Anderson - Oct 24th, 2017
- WEDC Audit Poses New Concerns on Foxconn Deal - State Sen. Lena Taylor - Oct 24th, 2017
- Audit of Walker jobs agency intensifies Foxconn concerns - State Sen. Jennifer Shilling - Oct 24th, 2017
- New poll shows Milwaukee area’s divided feelings on Foxconn, views on other topics as Marquette Law School launches expanded public policy program - Marquette University - Oct 24th, 2017
- Walker Administration Keeps Details of Foxconn Deal Secret as Agency Entrusted With Overseeing Deal Subject of Another Critical Review - One Wisconsin Now - Oct 24th, 2017
- Andy Gronik Urges WEDC To Release Foxconn Contract Details Before Vote, Collect Public Feedback - Andy Gronik - Oct 23rd, 2017
- Wisconsin Can’t Afford Another Foxconn “Nuclear Bomb” - Democratic Party of Wisconsin - Oct 20th, 2017
- What are Walker and Foxconn hiding? - Democratic Party of Wisconsin - Oct 17th, 2017
- Foxconn gamble shrouded in secrecy - State Sen. Jennifer Shilling - Oct 16th, 2017
- Court Watch: Foxconn Law Transforms State Courts - Margo Kirchner - Oct 12th, 2017
- Walker and Forty-Fifth President Sweeten Deal for Foxconn - State Sen. Lena Taylor - Sep 28th, 2017
- Walker picks Foxconn over Wisconsin schools and roads - State Sen. Jennifer Shilling - Sep 18th, 2017
- Governor Walker Signs Wisconn Valley Special Session Bill into Law - Gov. Scott Walker - Sep 18th, 2017
- The State of Politics: Mr. Gou – Your Turn - Steven Walters - Sep 18th, 2017
- Governor Walker Applauds Legislature for Approving Wisconn Valley Special Session Bill - Gov. Scott Walker - Sep 14th, 2017
- Governor Walker Releases Statement on Bipartisan Senate Passage of Wisconn Valley Special Session Legislation - Gov. Scott Walker - Sep 12th, 2017
- WEDC’s Poor Jobs Accountability Record Makes Foxconn Deal a Scandal Waiting to Happen - Citizen Action of Wisconsin - Sep 11th, 2017
- Op Ed: Foxconn Deal Suspends Judicial Rules - Wisconsin Democracy Campaign - Sep 11th, 2017
- GOP Puts $3 Billion Foxconn Thumb on Scales of Justice - One Wisconsin Now - Sep 5th, 2017
- Op Ed: Foxconn Multiplier Overstates New Jobs - William L. Holahan and Charles O. Kroncke - Sep 2nd, 2017
- Walker administration misleads on environmental rollbacks for Foxconn - State Rep. Katrina Shankland - Aug 31st, 2017
- Murphy’s Law: Newest Deal Shows Foxconn Flaws - Bruce Murphy - Aug 29th, 2017
- The State of Politics: Would Democratic Governor Kill Foxconn Deal? - Steven Walters - Aug 28th, 2017
- Op Ed: Illinois Loves Our Foxconn Deal - State Sen. Kathleen Vinehout - Aug 26th, 2017
- Biking: Foxconn, Biking and State Roads - Dave Cieslewicz - Aug 25th, 2017
- Op Ed: Foxconn Should Embrace Green Goals - John Torinus - Aug 24th, 2017
- Washington State Representative Offers Warning for Wisconsin on Foxconn - One Wisconsin Now - Aug 24th, 2017
- Murphy’s Law: Paper Peddles Bogus Foxconn Report - Bruce Murphy - Aug 23rd, 2017
- Representative Lisa Subeck Calls on Joint Finance Committee Co-Chairs to Focus on Budget, Prioritize People over Profits - State Rep. Lisa Subeck - Aug 22nd, 2017
- Governor Walker Highlights Opportunities Foxconn Brings for Wisconsin’s Healthcare Industry - Gov. Scott Walker - Aug 22nd, 2017
- The State of Politics: Foxconn Biggest Deal in State History - Steven Walters - Aug 21st, 2017
- Statewide Online Tool Assists Wisconsin Companies Seeking to Do Business with Foxconn - Gov. Scott Walker - Aug 21st, 2017
- The Senate Must be The Grownups in the Room… Again. - State Sen. Tim Carpenter - Aug 21st, 2017
- Op Ed: The Many Broken Promises of Foxconn - State Rep. David Bowen - Aug 20th, 2017
- Rep. Goyke Statement on Foxconn Special Session Bill - State Rep. Evan Goyke - Aug 18th, 2017
- Wisconsin Budget: Foxconn Could Take Till 2058 To Pay Off - Jon Peacock - Aug 18th, 2017
- Governor Walker Releases Statement on Bipartisan Assembly Passage of Wisconn Valley Special Session Legislation - Gov. Scott Walker - Aug 18th, 2017
- Republican Agenda Puts Corporate Welfare Package for Taiwanese Company Ahead of our Public Schools - State Rep. Dianne Hesselbein - Aug 17th, 2017
- Rep. Sinicki Votes No on Foxconn Package - State Rep. Christine Sinicki - Aug 17th, 2017
- Statement from Rep. Barca on the Assembly Passage of Foxconn Bill - State Rep. Peter Barca - Aug 17th, 2017
- Facts on Foxconn Trump Proponents’ Protestations Deal Would Benefit Wisconsin - One Wisconsin Now - Aug 17th, 2017
- Foxconn Debate Cheat Sheet - State Rep. Gordon Hintz - Aug 17th, 2017
- $3 Billion Foxconn Boondoggle Sells Out Wisconsin’s Future to Foreign Corporation - State Rep. Lisa Subeck - Aug 17th, 2017
- Op Ed: How to Get a Better Deal From Foxconn - John Torinus - Aug 17th, 2017
- Data Wonk: Will Foxconn Deal Fight Poverty? - Bruce Thompson - Aug 16th, 2017
- Governor Walker Moderates Foxconn Roundtable Discussion in Green Bay - Gov. Scott Walker - Aug 16th, 2017
- Op Ed: Where Will Foxconn Find Workers? - State Rep. Gordon Hintz - Aug 16th, 2017
- Vukmir: The time is now for Foxconn - Assistant Majority Leader Leah Vukmir - Aug 15th, 2017
- Foxconn tax break could exceed $1 million per job - State Sen. Jennifer Shilling - Aug 14th, 2017
- Paul Ryan Challenger Opposes $3 Billion Corporate Handout to Foxconn - Cathy Myers - Aug 14th, 2017
- The State of Politics: 10 Tough Questions About Foxconn Deal - Steven Walters - Aug 14th, 2017
- Dana Wachs Announces Opposition to Foxconn Package - State Rep. Dana Wachs - Aug 13th, 2017
- Campaign Cash: Did Foxconn Lobby Illegally? - Wisconsin Democracy Campaign - Aug 12th, 2017
- Statement from Rep. Barca Regarding Republican Amendment to Foxconn Bill - State Rep. Peter Barca - Aug 11th, 2017
- Statement: Amendment to Special Session Assembly Bill 1 - Wisconsin Assembly Speaker Robin Vos - Aug 11th, 2017
- Op Ed: Renegotiate the Foxconn Deal - Matt Flynn - Aug 11th, 2017
- Murphy’s Law: Walker’s Desperate Deal With Foxconn - Bruce Murphy - Aug 10th, 2017
- Foxconn Deal Flounders in State Legislature - One Wisconsin Now - Aug 10th, 2017
- If ‘Ifs’ and ‘Buts’ Are Candies and Nuts We’ll Have Foxconn Deal Paid Off in 2043 - One Wisconsin Now - Aug 9th, 2017
- Rep. Shankland: Statement on Foxconn Analysis - State Rep. Katrina Shankland - Aug 8th, 2017
- Foxconn Fiscal Analysis Deeply Troubling for Wisconsin Taxpayers - State Rep. David Crowley - Aug 8th, 2017
- Statement from Rep. Barca on New Fiscal Analysis of Proposed Foxconn Deal - State Rep. Peter Barca - Aug 8th, 2017
- Rep. Hintz Statement on Foxconn Cost to Taxpayers - State Rep. Gordon Hintz - Aug 8th, 2017
- Campaign Cash: Bill Has $10 Million Giveaway to Fiserv - Wisconsin Democracy Campaign - Aug 8th, 2017
- Wisconsin Veterans Chamber of Commerce Calls For Foxconn Project to Include Disabled Veteran Owned Businesses - Wisconsin Veterans Chamber of Commerce - Aug 7th, 2017
- Wisconsin Budget: The High Cost of Foxconn - Jon Peacock - Aug 4th, 2017
- What Does the Foxconn CEO Say About His Employees? - One Wisconsin Now - Aug 4th, 2017
- Foxconn Hearing: Big Promises, Little Details, Lacks Transportation Plan - State Rep. David Crowley - Aug 3rd, 2017
- One Wisconsin Now Testimony on Foxconn Subsidy Legislation - One Wisconsin Now - Aug 3rd, 2017
- No Guarantees to Prevent Wisconsin Tax Dollars From Subsidizing Illinois Jobs in Foxconn Deal - One Wisconsin Now - Aug 2nd, 2017
- Unnecessary to Sacrifice Natural Resources for Foxconn - Wisconsin League of Conservation Voters - Jul 31st, 2017
- Statement from Rep. Barca on Foxconn Developments - State Rep. Peter Barca - Jul 28th, 2017
- The Contrarian: Walker’s Reelection Now A Certainty - George Mitchell - Jul 28th, 2017
- Eyes on Milwaukee: Foxconn Loves Wisconsin, Walker - Jeramey Jannene - Jul 27th, 2017
- Governor Walker, Foxconn Founder and CEO Terry Gou Sign Memorandum of Understanding in Milwaukee - Gov. Scott Walker - Jul 27th, 2017
- REALTORS® Welcome Foxconn - Greater Milwaukee Association of REALTORS® - Jul 27th, 2017
- MATC Statement on Foxconn - Milwaukee Area Technical College - Jul 26th, 2017
- Statement from Rep. Barca on Foxconn Economic Development Announcement - State Rep. Peter Barca - Jul 26th, 2017
- Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele Statement on Foxconn Announcement - County Executive Chris Abele - Jul 26th, 2017
- Global High-Tech Manufacturer Foxconn Announces $10 Billion Investment, Will Create 13,000 Jobs in New Wisconsin Campus - Gov. Scott Walker - Jul 26th, 2017
- Foxconn Frenzy: Proceed with Caution - State Sen. Chris Larson - Jul 26th, 2017
- Shilling cautious on Foxconn announcement - State Sen. Jennifer Shilling - Jul 26th, 2017
- Op Ed: Loss of Talgo Train Hurts Foxconn Deal - James Rowen - Jul 20th, 2017
- Mayor Barrett Supports Siting Foxconn Facility in Southeastern Wisconsin - Mayor Tom Barrett - Jul 17th, 2017
- On the Air: How Likely Is It Foxconn Will Create 10,000 Jobs? - Urban Milwaukee - Jul 13th, 2017
- Murphy’s Law: Walker Building Yesterday’s Economy - Bruce Murphy - Jul 13th, 2017
- Eyes on Milwaukee: Foxconn Lands in Milwaukee - Jeramey Jannene - Jul 10th, 2017
Murphy's Law
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Republicans Discover the Middle Class
Feb 14th, 2019 by Bruce Murphy
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The Many Ads of We Energies
Feb 5th, 2019 by Bruce Murphy
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12 Reasons The Foxconn Deal Is Dying
Jan 31st, 2019 by Bruce Murphy
I called out this very same point last week when Foxconn’s “Smart Cities” competition was first reported. From the BizTimes article: “Foxconn says it will not assert intellectual property rights related to any ideas, concepts or solutions within the scope of the competition, according to the initiative’s website. The company does advise entrants it is their responsibility to secure intellectual property rights to their work prior to submitting ideas. The company is reserving the right to use ideas after the competition for its own benefit and will negotiate licensing rights prior to use with those who have previously secured IP rights.” Read the fine print, people. Another CON by Foxconn.
We appreciate the recent interest in UW-Madison’s relationship with Foxconn as written in Bruce Murphy’s Dec. 4 column (“Foxconn covets intellectual property rights”).
UW-Madison wasn’t contacted to provide information for the opinion piece and instead a faculty member from Marquette University (who has not been involved in the partnership) provided opinions and analysis that bear correcting.
As always, we’re willing to share our views of the issue, when asked.
First and foremost, the university views a collaboration with an industry leader like Foxconn as an important long-term positive for students, faculty and the university as a whole. It leverages our key long-term strengths at UW– working at the crossroads where multiple disciplines connect, sparking new ideas and building collaborations – and giving our students opportunities to learn and work at the cutting edge.
Now, to answer several specific misconceptions:
There currently are no specific project proposals for Foxconn sponsorship before the UW-Madison’s Research and Sponsored Programs office for consideration.
However, Foxconn’s commitment to activities in partnership with the UW-Madison — such as research, recruiting, creating opportunities for internships and hands-on work in campus labs — may require a mix of agreement types that will be considered on a case-by-case basis based on the scope of the activities, Foxconn’s expected level of oversight, and intellectual property rights.
Traditionally, UW-Madison does not give up ownership of IP in sponsored research agreements and UW-Madison does not claim ownership to the intellectual property of researchers. When there are legal obligations to sponsors with respect to IP (such as when federal funding is involved), UW-Madison does require researchers and/or students to assign their IP ownership rights to the University or its designee (WARF) so that the University can meet its legal obligations.
As the Master Cooperation Agreement with Foxconn notes, UW-Madison has the flexibility of an assortment of agreement types and IP arrangements for different situations. The agreement types most often implemented when the University partners with industry include:
· Research project – IP ownership may be negotiated, however, if the industry partner requires access, typically the University retains the IP and offers licensing to the partner rather than ownership of the IP.
· Fee for service – the industry partner contracts with the University to conduct routine, repetitive activities based on a standard fee schedule. The UW carries out the detailed instructions of the sponsor and thus the UW does not create IP. This agreement is typically used for procurement of services such as lab services, versus research and development.
· Gift for support of research – the University retains the IP and there are no contractual requirements, though gifts may be for a stated purpose.
The Board of Regents by policy requires the UW to retain ownership of research data and forbids research contracts that do not allow for publication of the research results. Publication is typically not an issue with fee-for-service contracts because by their nature they are not designed to produce information of general scientific interest.
Our faculty are engaged in research in many of the areas where Foxconn also has deep interests. Research at UW-Madison will always be led and directed by our faculty and the agreements generally, and the provisions around the assignment of intellectual property specifically, are consistent with agreements we have reached with other industry partners.