PATENT LANDSCAPING

WHAT ?

Patents are not only means to protect your economic, technical and financial interests via the exclusive right which is conferred to you as a proprietor. Consulting patent databases in the very early stage of the innovation process may also greatly facilitate successful innovation in your area of expertise.

WHY ?

  • To quickly identify technical areas which are open for exploitation/innovation, and to give your Research and Development activity directions which will allow your innovations to enter the market with limited risks
  • To gain in-depth knowledge of your competitors and commercial partners’ activities with respect to innovation and intellectual property rights
  • To anticipate future actions and needs that will support your business
  • To identify upstream development opportunities that are available to you
  • To early identify opportunities to license in- or acquire intellectual property rights in your area of practice

HOW ?

  • IP WATCH - BENCHMARKING
    Conducting a thorough and regular watch of your competitors’ patent activity in various patent databases, based upon pre-determined criteria and specifications
  • IP LANDSCAPING
    • First step: Conducting prior art search
      Performing a detailed analysis of the prior art in your area of technical expertise
    • Second step: « IP Landscaping »
      Visually representing the state of the art while detailing products and functions
    • Third step: Analysis
      In the light of the « IP Landscape document » and other market data, identifying the main trends and determining which technical and commercial opportunities are still available or accessible in your area of practice
    • Recommended supplementary step: Examining validity of the identified rights
      Determining whether the identified rights are still valid or have lapsed, and assessing the scope of your competitors’ rights

 

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WHAT CAN KIRKPATRICK DO ?

  • Efficiently manage your innovation process using the above-described tools
  • Strategically integrate patent rights from initial conception of your innovative ideas up to ultimate launch of a product or process in the marketplace
  • Develop and implement with you a robust intellectual property strategy in order to dynamically support your business and get an edge over competition
  • Monitor and analyse patents and patent applications held by your competitors
  • Draw up « IP Landscape documents » adapted to your activities and needs
  • Identify potential technical innovations that are available or accessible to you in your area of interest, so as to strategically direct your future R&D activities
  • Represent you through all procedures from filing applications (for patent or for any other intellectual property rights) to the grant of the corresponding patents and their maintenance
  • Draft and negotiate agreements (licensing, assignment, confidentiality, etc.) and take care of the registration procedures