Credentials

Expert in IP transactions and valuation

Sylvain Roy credentials span three decades of advisory, assisting in bringing innovation to market.

My work includes engagements with operating companies and ventures at all stages, research institutions, and institutional investors on a global basis, with particular presence in Canada, the United States and Europe.

I am an IP/tech lawyer based in Montreal practicing in global intellectual property transactions, valuation and licensing — with focus in the technology and media sectors, including energy, cleantech, life sciences, IT and AI. My experience includes external advisory to EPFL's TTO, valuation and assessment projects for CERN, and guest lecturing at CEIPI and WIPO.

This page summarizes Sylvain Roy credentials in publications and selected industry and academic engagements.
Jump to: Publications · Speaking · Academic · Research · Affiliations · Media · Associations

Publications

Business Secrets Management: Strategies to Protect, Extract & Maximise Value

Springer Nature, 2025

Co-editor and contributing author (business valuation chapter)
Official launch: LESI Annual Conference, Singapore, April 2025
View publication →

Patent Management: Protecting Intellectual Property and Innovation book cover

Patent Management: Protecting Intellectual Property and Innovation
Springer Nature, forthcoming Q1 2026

Contributing author, business valuation section · View publication →

Introduction to IP Valuation: How Much Is Your IP Worth?
Franklin Pierce Law Center / IP Mall, 2004

Foundational text on IP valuation methodologies—cost, market, and income approaches

Speaking & Conferences

LESI 2026, Dublin
Roundtable presenter: "Distillation: When copyright meets trade secret in an AI world"

LESI 2025, Singapore
Roundtable presenter: “Business Secrets Management—New Practice Challenges in an AI-Centred World”

LESI 2025 Singapore speaker announcement

LESI 2023, Montreal
Workshop co-organizer and presenter: “Business Secrets: The Next Big Revolution?”

Sylvain Roy presenting at LESI 2023 Montreal

WIPO (World Intellectual Property Organization), Geneva, 2010
Invited speaker: “Major Trends in IP Monetization” · Details →

INPI (Institut National de la Propriété Industrielle) / GRAPI, Lyon, 2006
Invited speaker: “Major trends in IP licensing and IP monetization / Les tendances lourdes de la valorisation dans le monde”

For speaking inquiries, contact us.

Academic lectures

University of Neuchâtel / InnoCube, 2025
Guest speaker, "Assessing Value / Businesses, IP, Secrets and Data - Practical perspective"

CEIPI (Centre d'études internationales de la propriété intellectuelle / Centre for International Intellectual Property Studies), 2022–present
Guest lecturer, IP Valuation (II) Part 2, Chapter 1 "Risk factors and value"; Part 4, Chapter 1 "Market for IP"

HEC Montréal, 2017
Conference (BCI — Bureau de coopération interuniversitaire), "Science des données et droit" · BCI → · HEC Montréal →

Research Institution Training

CERN (European Organization for Nuclear Research); CERN Knowledge Transfer, Geneva, 2016
Two-day technical workshop on IP valuation for technology transfer professionals

Sardegna Ricerche (POLARIS), Italy, 2006
One-day workshop to analysts, startups on value creation and IP management

Training programs available for technology transfer professionals and research institutions — from half-day introductions to two-day technical workshops. Contact us to discuss your needs.

Institutional Affiliations

EPFL (École Polytechnique Fédérale Lausanne) / Technology Transfer Office
External advisor (2006–2011)

CERN Knowledge Transfer
Professional training on IP valuation; Startup readiness engagements

WIPO (World Intellectual Property Organization)
Guest speaker; Advanced International Certificate Course (IP Panorama)

CIPO (Canadian Intellectual Property Office)
Podcast guest: “How Do You Know What Your IP Is Worth?” · Listen and Read →

FORPIQ (the International Intellectual Property Forum – Quebec)
Annual forum 2025 · Featured Q&A on Business Secrets Management · Read →

Media & Recognition

Droit-Inc.
Articles in Le journal des avocats et juristes du Québec:

PitchBook
Advisor profile reference: View →

Professional Associations

Licensing Executives Society International (LESI)
Active member, speaker, workshop organizer

Barreau du Québec
Member in good standing

For a complete curriculum vitae or speaking inquiries, contact us.

FAQ

What is Sylvain Roy's background in intellectual property law?

Sylvain Roy is a Montreal-based attorney with over 30 years of experience in intellectual property and technology law. His practice focuses on IP transactions, technology transfer, and the commercialization of innovation. He is a published author on trade secrets and data governance, has founded an IP brokering firm in Switzerland, advised international institutions, and developed specialized expertise at the intersection of IP strategy and business valuation.

What types of IP transactions does Sylvain Roy handle?

His work on commercial transactions related to intellectual property spans licensing agreements, technology transfers, R&D collaborations, IP assignments, and joint venture structures. These mandates often involve patent portfolios, trade secrets, software, data, and LLMs, particularly in sectors where intellectual property is central to business value.

Has Sylvain Roy worked with international research institutions?

Yes. He has handled mandates involving CERN, EPFL, and other research-intensive organizations. This includes advisory on the commercialization of research outputs, licensing, IP valuation, valuation training, and assessment of market potential for emerging technologies and early-stage ventures. His experience extends to projects in Canada, the United States, Europe, Singapore, and the PRC.

What industries does Sylvain Roy's IP practice cover?

His practice serves technology-intensive sectors including aerospace, AI, cleantech and energy, life sciences, robotics and vision systems, and software. He regularly advises high-growth ventures and established firms navigating IP-driven transactions, strategic partnerships, and investment rounds.

Does Sylvain Roy have expertise in IP valuation?

Yes. He has developed a substantial IP valuation practice since 2004 across 350+ projects. Notably, he created the Backward Valuation Method, a proprietary methodology for early-stage venture valuation using comparables and benchmarks drawn from 200,000+ datapoints. This expertise supports licensing negotiations, M&A due diligence, investment discussions, and transfer pricing analyses.

Has Sylvain Roy published or spoken on IP topics?

He has contributed to publications by Springer Nature, including "Business Secrets – Strategies to Protect, Extract and Maximize Value" (2025), and regularly presents at conferences such as LESI (Licensing Executives Society International) and academic institutions. He also delivers guest lectures on IP strategy and valuation at universities in Canada and Europe.