During this past week, Innography held its annual user conference.  It is always energizing to hear about the real world challenges that our customers solve using Innography software and services.  The deals concluded, the risks avoided, and the millions of dollars saved or made emphasize the importance of intellectual property to corporate results.

Perhaps the most significant trend observed though, is how IP strategy has spread across the organization. Gone are the days when a good IP strategy meant a filing incentive for inventors or active management of portfolio renewals.

Today’s progressive companies think of IP across their value chain.  IP informs their competitive and market analysis. They use IP to help plan their development efforts.  They think about the IP implications of acquisitions.  They have a proactive strategy for creating additional revenue streams from their existing IP.  Plus, IP considerations are an integral part of their risk mitigation efforts.

Intellectual property has become far more than just a legal consideration.  It is now a key component of business strategies and an important contributor to business results.  Learn more at www.innography.com.

World IP Day, sponsored by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) takes place on April 26th. The day is celebrated worldwide and was started as a way to promote discussion of the role of intellectual property in encouraging innovation and creativity.  World IP Day offers an opportunity for inventors to join with others around the globe to discuss and demonstrate how IP works to contribute to and drive innovation in our world.  This year’s theme focuses on Creativity: The Next Generation.

Even a cursory examination of innovation trends shows that fresh ideas are coming from new and different places.  Start-ups are quickly changing the way the world communicates and works together.  Patent filings are rapidly growing in a wider range of geographies than ever before.  Innovators are bringing together ideas from an expanding array of disciplines.  What will the next generation of innovators bring to our swiftly changing world of patents? How can organizations stay competitive and stay ahead of the latest emerging trends in their field?  Is it possible to see what’s beyond the horizon?

The day also brings to mind the importance of looking past the horizon for the next innovation.  Forward thinking companies no longer expect to find the next generation of thinkers and ideas solely within their established networks.  Many now turn to Innography’s solutions to provide IP competitive intelligence and insight even before new products are announced.  Using Innography’s unique visualizations, innovators can view competitive landscapes, find emerging R&D trends, identify up-and-coming competitors in related technology spaces, and discover talented new inventors and opportunities.  This is possible because of Innography’s own innovative integration technology which correlates product, financial, technology standard and litigation information.

The world’s IP system today fosters the innovation that will shape the lives of generations to come. The possibilities are limitless and only bound by our imaginations.  What will your contribution be? Share with us what you’ll be doing for World IP Day.

Yesterday, Microsoft unveiled its Patent Tracker tool, as a sign of “responsible intellectual property management.” In the midst of today’s turbulent patent landscape and wars being waged from all directions, we commend Microsoft on its commitment to a healthy IP ecosystem.

According to Microsoft Executive VP and General Counsel Brad Smith, “We need greater transparency. The PTO is considering requirements for greater transparency. But I don’t think we need to wait. I think those of us in the industry can step forward. That’s why we as a company are announcing a pledge for transparency, and we’re announcing that by the first of April we will publish on the web all the information that anyone needs to identify all of the patents for which Microsoft is the owner and real party of interest.”

So being that the USPTO database is accessible and searchable by the general public, this might not seem like a big deal, however, as one of our clients poignantly pointed out, “Just because something is public information, does not mean it’s public knowledge.”

Not only is the USPTO database difficult to navigate, but not all of Microsoft’s patents are listed directly under Microsoft. There are several options, such as Microsoft Corp., Microsoft Corporation, or any other variation of the parent company name. Additionally, some of its patents may be listed under individual inventors. Innography has an entire team devoted to scrubbing this type of data to make sure your results in Innography are complete. Some companies count on this complexity to contribute to their secrecy. So the idea that Microsoft is taking information that usually involves strategic search and some elbow grease, and wrapping it up in a nice package for anyone who’s interested is a bold move, indeed.

The Patent tracker is designed to address three main problems facing IP today:

• Knowing who actually owns or controls a patent
• Litigation abuse by non-practicing entities or patent trolls
• Poor patent quality

There is no doubt that the current US Patent System needs some work, but we like what we see in Microsoft’s commitment to show its cards and play fair. Other companies that have also expressed willingness to work within the patent system are Google and Twitter. Although they’re not eager to be as open as Microsoft, they have both made good faith pledges to not sue for infringement unless they are first attacked.

Regardless of strategy, the message from these tech giants is loud and clear. Less litigation and more innovation. We look forward to seeing what’s to come.

What do you think of Microsoft’s patent tracker tool?

If you own intellectual property, licensing should be a core part of your business strategy. We help enterprise customers map out lucrative licensing strategies every day, and although we have a two part webinar series and a white paper focused on starting a licensing program, we wanted to take the time to list out the top five priorities you should focus on when building your licensing strategy.

1.    Have a plan.
Congratulations! You’ve been granted a patent for your idea. Now what? Protecting your assets is one thing, but capitalizing on them is another. Identifying clear objectives when it comes to licensing is crucial to your success. Are you planning to use licensing offensively to monetize your assets? Or maybe even as a tool to enter into a new market. Regardless of your plan, be sure you have a specific focus and goals. This will help you accurately measure success and easily make adjustments when necessary.

2.    Look outside the box and into adjacent markets.
There will always be companies with similar technologies in your space that are easy licensing targets. But don’t stop there. In your search for potential partners, be sure and look into adjacent markets, where companies could be using your technology for different purposes. This will allow you to expand your portfolio and get the most bang for your IP buck.

3.    Designate a specialized team.
Intellectual property should not be an afterthought. In fact, a key driver in your licensing strategy success is designating appropriate resources to your cause, including a specialized licensing team. The makeup of this team may vary slightly depending upon your internal hierarchy, but licensing teams are typically made up of several cross functioning team members including an executive sponsor, business development, marketing, R&D, legal, financial and sales.

4.    Don’t do too much at once.
You don’t want to just license any patent. This should be a well vetted process to determine which IP in your portfolio has  the most reach and is the most attractive for your candidates. Starting with just 1 to 2 key patents and developing a strong licensing strategy around them can be a good spring board into a full-fledged licensing business center down the line. Once you can demonstrate viability, it will be easier for you to get the executive buy in necessary to expand your program.

5.    Know your value.
In your quest to establish a successful licensing program, you may come across companies that are larger and more versed than you are in the area. Do not allow these entities to bully you, no matter what your size. Consult with an IP attorney and use Innography to establish a tangible market value for your IP and stick to it.

Establishing a licensing program is no easy task, and we’re here to provide the tools and guidance you need to ensure success. Along with these 5 tips, be sure and view our two part webinar series, “License to Drive” for more details about how to establish a successful program. Happy Licensing!

Since Innography was established almost six years ago, we’ve grown to service more than 6800 users from 300 companies. What’s even more amazing, is we’ve grown organically. In other words, we’ve pounded some serious pavement. We have been very successful meeting key contacts and finding great value the old fashioned way, face to face meetings at industry events and tradeshows.

With technology enhancements such as WebEx and Skype, personal interaction seems to be on the decline, but we believe that technology will never replace the importance of good old fashioned face time, and we’re not talking about the Apple app. Besides, where else can you be put into a room with your target audience? Without further ado, in no particular order here are Innography’s top events for meeting with customers and prospects.

Innography Insights

What can we say; we put on a great conference. Our Insights conference is in its fourth year and has grown tenfold since we started it. It is limited to customers only, but we can truly say the best and brightest in the IP industry come together in Austin for four days of intense training, networking and all things IP.

CoDev

We have had the pleasure of both attending and presenting at CoDev in beautiful La Jolla. This show brings together heavy hitters such as Kraft, Qualcomm and P&G, as well as lesser known organizations to share and discuss current open innovation practices. Open innovation is a key aspect in intellectual property, and this show enables attendees to meet potential partners and licensing candidates to improve their market share.

IP Strategy Summit: Monetization

We’ll attend this show for the first time in April, but based on the list of speakers and past attendees, we’re excited. The title says it all; this show is focused around extracting the most value out of one’s IP portfolio. Key topics include IP valuation, monetization models, running a licensing program, and building a monetization strategy. As far as attendees go, it’s more about quality than quantity. They typically have 100-200 attendees, but they represent key IP decision makers, as well as some high profile in-house counsels.

Consero’s General Counsel Forum

The Consero Group produces several high quality forums throughout the year, and the General Counsel Forum is no exception. One of the few events we’ve found that focuses on the growing importance of the GC role; this forum brings it with its quality attendees and workshops. Even though this event isn’t necessarily IP specific, the majority of GC’s here count IP as one of their main responsibilities and therefore, it is often a high priority topic of discussion.

Consero’s IP Management Forum

One of the few completely IP-focused events on our list, Consero’s IP Management Forum takes an unapologetic look at the key issues surrounding IP today. Whether it’s discussing the America Invents Act, patent troll protection strategies, or Chinese patent law, count on Consero to be on top of all the latest IP trends, as well as provide valuable insights on how to navigate the ever changing IP landscape.

LES Annual Meeting

One of the largest shows on the list, the Licensing Executive Society Annual Meeting boasts more than 1,000 attendees over a three day period jam packed with education sessions, networking events, and even a Tech Fair. Attendees span industry segments such as software and biotech to consumer and pharma, and their roles range from business development to R&D. This year’s theme, “Why IP Matters in Every Deal,” examines the growth and impact IP has had on business spanning from M&A, litigation, and of course, licensing.

American Intellectual Property Law Association (AIPLA)

Much like Consero, the AIPLA hosts multiple regional events throughout the year, however, AIPLA events maintain a core IP focus. Attendees tend to vary depending on the region, but you can be sure that you’ll be rubbing elbows with the best and the brightest in IP law. Their flagship events, the Spring and Annual meetings, provide valuable CLE’s to attendees, as well as focus on IP topics that are important to clients.

World IP Business Congress (IPBC)

The IPBC has quickly established itself as the world’s principal forum for senior thought leaders in the IP business. This to-be-seen scene is hosted in various locations worldwide, and remains a who’s who in the IP World. Boasting speakers from leading organizations such as Reebok, MIT, and Intel, the IPBC crowd distinguishes itself as true thought leaders and navigators in the ever changing IP landscape.

Did we miss any? We’d love to hear what you think are the “can’t miss” shows related to IP. For a full list of where Innography is represented, visit our Events page.