How should I prune my IP portfolio?
I hear peers talking about ‘pruning’ their IP assets during the downturn. What does it mean and what is the best way to go about it?
The attorney
Statistically, the vast majority of assets in a company's IP portfolio will not provide economic value to the owner. To the contrary, they will cost money in maintenance, attorney and docketing fees, and will tax internal resources. Having the ability to identify and prune such permanently unproductive IP assets is a valuable skill.
In addition to cost savings, pruning can help strategically align your IP with your business objectives. Your existing assets should support your present and projected objectives. If they do not, the assets are not serving their purpose of creating protective barriers around your position in the market. As a test, you should be able to articulate how each IP asset supports, defends or advances your market position. Proper alignment helps business planning and will be attractive to investors and suitors who might want to take a close look into your IP basket.
Because a portfolio's...
Only subscribers have complete access to Managing IP Magazine,
log in or
subscribe now.
Alternatively take a
free trial, giving you 48-hour access to Managing IP Magazine (some articles and surveys may be excluded).
Subscribe Now
This article is available to subscribers. Please click subscribe to read the rest of the article.
Subscribe
Take a free trial
Please take a free 48-hour trial to gain limited access. Some articles and surveys may be excluded.
Take a free trial