Defense Klaus IP Pool
A private defensive patent network for Liana Banyan member businesses
What Is This?
Defense Klaus operates our own defensive patent pool — similar to the Defensive Patent License (DPL) but private to our platform. Member businesses can contribute patents to a collective defense fund.
Important: This is NOT the public Defensive Patent License. External parties cannot join.
How It Works
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ LIANA BANYAN WALLED GARDEN │
│ │
│ ┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐│
│ │ IP BLOCKCHAIN MEDALLION LEDGER ││
│ │ ││
│ │ LAYER 1: FOUNDER PATENTS ││
│ │ • 470 claims assigned to platform ││
│ │ • Core protection for all members ││
│ │ ││
│ │ LAYER 2: DEFENSE KLAUS MEMBER PATENTS ││
│ │ • Member businesses voluntarily contribute ││
│ │ • Cross-licensed ONLY within DK members ││
│ │ • Defensive trigger: if ANY member sued, pool defends ││
│ │ ││
│ │ LAYER 3: MEDALLION VERIFICATION ││
│ │ • Blockchain timestamp of registration ││
│ │ • Immutable ownership chain ││
│ │ • Prior art documentation ││
│ └─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘│
│ │
│ EXTERNAL: Open Invention Network (free, non-exclusive) │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
Key Terms
Eligibility
Any Liana Banyan member business (Ship, MimicTrunk, or Fleet) may join Defense Klaus.
Contribution
Members contribute patents they own to the defensive pool. Contribution is:
- Voluntary — you choose what to contribute
- Non-exclusive — you keep full ownership
- Defensive-only — pool cannot use offensively
Protection
If any Defense Klaus member is sued for patent infringement:
- All pool patents become available for counter-claims
- Collective legal fund activated
- Harper Guild coordinates response
Withdrawal
Members may withdraw with 180-day notice. Existing cross-licenses remain for the prior period.
Blockchain Verification
All contributions and cross-licenses are recorded on our IP Blockchain Medallion Ledger, providing:
- Immutable timestamp
- Verified ownership chain
- Audit trail for disputes
Why Not Join the Public DPL?
The Defensive Patent License (DPL) requires you to commit all your patents to the pool. That’s great for open-source projects, but it would give away our “walled garden” protection.
Instead, we:
- Join OIN (Open Invention Network) — free protection, no patent contribution required
- Run Defense Klaus — our own private pool with controlled terms
This gives us the best of both worlds: external protection AND internal defensive network.
How to Join
- Be a Liana Banyan member business (Ship, MimicTrunk, or Fleet)
- Review the Defense Klaus terms
- Decide what patents to contribute (if any)
- Register on the IP Medallion Ledger
- Receive your Defense Klaus membership badge
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do I have to contribute patents to get protection? A: The founder’s 470 patent claims provide baseline protection for all members. Contributing your own patents increases the pool’s defensive strength and may unlock additional benefits.
Q: Can I use Defense Klaus patents offensively? A: No. The pool is strictly defensive. You can only invoke pool patents in response to a lawsuit against you or another member.
Q: What if I leave Liana Banyan? A: You can withdraw with 180-day notice. Your contributed patents leave with you, but existing cross-licenses remain valid for activities during your membership.
Q: Is this different from a patent troll? A: Yes, completely. Patent trolls buy patents to sue people. Defense Klaus pools patents to PROTECT people from lawsuits. We never initiate litigation.
Defense Klaus: Protection for those who protect others.
FOR THE KEEP.