I find that many companies set up separate companies to hold intellectual property. Examples follow:
- Dunkin' Brands Group, the company which operates the Dunkin' Donuts and Baskin-Robbins chains, has associated intellectual properties assigned to DD IP Holder, LLC and BR IP Holder, LLC, respectively.
- Gearbox Software, developer of the Borderlands franchise and Battleborn, has associated intellectual properties assigned to IPerion, LLC, and Necromonger, LLC, respectively.
What are the advantages of maintaining an IP holding company(ies) separate from the operating company? What disadvantages might there be for doing this? Answers should be in the context of United States law.