Should we use a patent auction?
My company is considering selling a patent portfolio at an auction. Is this a good idea and what do I need to know about commercialising our technology this way?
The asset valuer
First, know what you're selling, what it's worth and what makes it even more valuable. There are many different perspectives on value. You may think that you just want to sell a patent, but appraisal services can help you to recognise opportunities to enhance the patent's value by bundling it with in-process research and development, drawings, engineering specs, application processes or production equipment. Know what combination of assets will yield the best results.
Secondly, know your potential buyers and how to reach them. When considering the sale of a patent, you need to recognise that different types of buyers will have different perspectives as to the value of the patent. Types of buyers include:
Financial buyers will look at how the patent can be exploited to generate a cash flow stream; this is most often done by licensing the patent to others that want to utilise it.
Defensive...
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