| 1. |
Strategy:
Develop an IP strategy : define your goals and know the level
of patent protection you need at each step |
| 2. |
Support:
Get professional help : enlist the support of a patent attorney
if you do not have the skills in-house |
| 3. |
Patent
Agent: Choose the right patent agent : he/she should
possess good knowledge of your technical field, plus fair
and efficient advice taking into account your resource constraints
|
| 4. |
Cost:
Do not underestimate the cost : agents' charges,
translation costs, renewal and other fees add up |
| 5. |
Information:
Demand information : get your attorney to give you a clear
overview of the filing process, waiting periods and costs
involved in a patent application |
| 6. |
Needs:
Adapt your filing strategy to your real business needs : do
not patent everything and everywhere. Be selective and determine
which ideas and markets are worth protection |
| 7. |
Licensing:
Do not view licensing as failure: it can be a lucrative alternative
or adjacency to manufacturing your invention |
| 8. |
Updating:
Revise your patent portfolio continuously : filter out patents
with no business perspective, either for own exploitation
or for licensing |
| 9. |
Competition:
Start a technology and competitor watch process : use cost-free
patent information and other sources (e.g. scientific publications,
trade journals) both to inspire yourself and to identify potential
infringers as soon as possible |
| 10. |
Communication:
Communicate pro-actively : communicating the protection of
your IP is a cost-efficient mean to reduce the potential risk
of infringement |
| 11. |
Licensees:
Keep in touch with your licensee : regular contact and meetings
provide you with information on your licensee’s activities
and thus can prevent default |
| 12. |
Lawsuits:
Be sure of your case : if you are planning to fight an infringement
make absolutely certain that you are in the right as a lawsuit
could otherwise be a quick route to going out of business
|
