Patents

21 October 2025 · Brokerage, Investors, Licensing, Monetisation, Patents

US Patents are Going up in Value

Higher Values for US Patents under John Squires The new USPTO director John Squires is introducing greater certainty into the US patent system. This is good news for small and medium sized businesses. Since the advent of the America Invents Act in 2011 it has been too easy to challenge and invalidate granted US patents. […]

14 October 2025 · Articles, Patents, Tech Transfer

“How Can You Be A Technology Company If You Only Have One Patent?”

The question that caused the share price to fall! What can we learn about how Ocado applied IP strategy to protect its competitive edge and develop licensing revenues? From one patent to 1,900 all because of a cheeky investment analyst?

9 April 2025 · Articles, Brand, Confidential Information, Counterfeit, Fakes, Information Security, Innovation, Investors, Patents

IP risks, just another bump on the way to success?

It is a fact of. business life that you will hit the IP risks and bumps at some stage: These may include the following IP risks: Trademark musical chairs ! Copyright flattery (or not)? Trusted colleague as was. Reputation under threat. Information theft. Patent bullying by a big kid. Social media lock out Fakes IP […]

13 November 2024 · Articles, Innovation, Investors, IP Culture, IP Education, IP Strategy, IP Value, Patents, Trade secrets

The Great Patent Myth. What Is A Patent Really Worth?

I once worked with a small business where they had spent $1m on patent filings for a particular invention. The business pivoted away from the invention but it was assumed that there would be 5X return on cost spend through sale or licensing of the patents. Sadly there was no value in the patents. Another […]

30 September 2024 · Innovation, IP Strategy, IP Value, Patents, Trade secrets

There Are Several Ways To Protect Your Innovation

Patents are not the only answer to the innovation / invention IP question. If I asked you if I could share your invention with the world, what would you want in return? This is the pay off you are making when you file for a patent. 20 year monopolistic rights over the patented invention? Yes. […]

Tesla sue supplier over trade secret theft

25 June 2024 · Innovation, Partnerships, Patents, Trade secrets

Can You Sue Suppliers For Stealing Your Inventions?

Having a clear list of your Trade Secrets upfront helps.

4 June 2024 · Articles, Patents, Trade secrets

The most valuable trade secret leaked – Google search algorithm

Well part of it. It is incredible how much value has been generated by the Google search algorithm since it was first coded in 1996. HOW DO YOU PROTECT IT?Clearly you do not want to publish the search algorithm as this would enable others to copy it. Patents are also not the answer as they […]