IP Portfolio Management

IP Portfolio Management

Intellectual property management combines IP Portfolio Management with valuation analysis techniques and promotion of the organizations’ IP-related activities. IP Cycle Management includes:

  • Monitoring IP registrations and filings (tracking and managing ownership costs)
  • Identifying infringement (who’s using without permission)
  • Determining freedom to operate (will we be sued, prevent litigation before it erupts)
  • Bundling of complementary assets (which assets work together to maximize monetization opportunities)
  • Identifying the key drivers of value for different bundles of assets in the portfolio (how does each IP asset contribute to financial returns and economic advantage)
  • Analyzing the financial health of current and potential IP partners (determine negotiating leverage or predict payment and compliance issues)
  • Auditing existing licensing and partnership arrangements (is money being left on the table, is the cost of managing IP agreements justifying the return from those agreements)
  • Extending the leverage of the IP portfolio (sell, license-out, buy and/or license-in)
  • Coordinating IP development, business development and marketing (get the assets working together)
  • Announcing and promoting IP events (tell the world you’re a leading IP manager)
  • Re-investing the financial and economic returns in the development and acquisition of further IP assets.

 

Intellectual Property Cycle Management

Combines the skill sets of IP analysis and valuation with tools and practices used in IP portfolio management. IP Cycle Management is more than a strategic management tool. The aim is to enhance and supplement the organization’s use of its IP assets. With greater knowledge, comes more efficient management, which drives greater returns, which enables further investment to generate even greater returns. IP Cycle Management is a solution that results in enhanced business returns. Organizations using IP Cycle Management use their IP assets to generate self-perpetuating returns.

IP Management Strategy Flow Chart

Benefits of undertaking IP Cycle Management, combining an analysis of the value and management of IP:

Measure Performance: compare your branding initiatives, technology development, marketing practices and/or research & development to your peers; determine if your IP investments are generating above-benchmark returns; justify future investment in IP-building programs.

IP Asset Triage: assess internal and external IP usage; identify which IP assets in your portfolio are generating greater or lesser financial and economic returns; identify and strengthen relationships between IP assets in your portfolio; monetize under-utilized assets.

Value Enhancement: identify the drivers of value for IP assets; identify opportunities to increase the value of IP assets.

Complementary Returns: identify under-used IP assets in the IP portfolio; bundle IP assets to drive additional income; identify additional uses for IP assets and new monetization opportunities.

Link IP Management to Stakeholder Returns: measure the correlation of IP development and leverage with shareholder returns; IP-announcements can be linked to above-normal share market returns; announce the active management of IP with the intent of impacting stakeholder benefits.