While the purpose of patenting and other forms of intellectual property used to be that of an “offensive” weapon – to inhibit competitors – their use and purpose has morphed into something much more comprehensive, complex and absolutely necessary.  The reasons for this are many, especially when considering the very significant cost of obtaining, maintaining and enforcing such property rights.  Management, Investors and Shareholders now demand that such costs and resources be justified and want to know how they can contribute to not only the bottom line but also the overall value of the business. 

Blanket worldwide or multiple regional filings are no longer justifiable as they need to be focused on a company’s business and products, nor is keeping everything on the books once it’s acquired.  Protections need to follow a strategic plan, not only to avoid unnecessary or excessive overlapping coverage, items but also need to be consistent with and in step with the strategic plan of the overall business enterprise.  It used to be that IP departments would “run” independent of company strategic needs and goals and all too frequently only have a “general” idea of a strategy or be included in an approved of overall strategic plan.  Portfolio quality was also particularly uneven as between different business units or even business units in foreign countries.

Patent Intelligence Consulting International colleagues recognized years ago that Intellectual Property needs to be organized, used and managed just like that of a Widget.