Cambridge Business Association
Inside the Patent Factory
Book

Inside the Patent Factory

The Essential Reference for Effective and Efficient Management of Patent Creation

Donal O'Connell
Wiley, 2008
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Editorial Rating

6

Qualities

  • Well Structured
  • Background
  • For Beginners

Recommendation

Donal O’Connell’s book is for those interested in developing a system for patenting products to protect their intellectual property rights (IPR). Rather than treating each patent as a new creation, O’Connell suggests that you lay out your tools and procedures to make the most of your talent – just as you would for manufacturing your products. The book is U.K.-centric, but it usefully analyzes the differences in patent law between Europe, the United States and Asia. O’Connell frankly insists that patents are not the universal answer for protecting intellectual property. Instituting a “Patent Creation Factory” for just one or two patents, he explains, is not sensible. However, if your firm depends on continuous product innovation, getAbstract says this awkwardly written but useful guide is for you. O’Connell outlines an efficient process for creating new products, tracking their path through the patenting process and protecting your patents once you receive them.

Summary

The “Patent Factory”

Certain kinds of businesses depend on innovation to create a flow of products and must continually develop fresh ideas to maintain market leadership. Just as your company organizes its processes, machines and people to build quality goods, it should organize its procedures, tools and talent in a Patent Factory to create intellectual property. To develop a patent strategy, make a detailed study of where you are today, write a paper describing where you would like to be and develop a strategic patent plan to close the gap.

Use the usual tools, from a mission statement to a SWOT analysis (to examine “Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats”) and a process review. Include sections on your objectives, action plan, and team and individual goals. Determine which metrics will help you measure your progress toward your goals. Strategy is always easier to create and manage if you make it modular; however, never lose sight of the forest for the trees.

How Patents Are Useful

Patents have been around for more than 600 years, since the earliest patent law in Venice. The first U.K. patent was filed in 1449: It gave 20 years of protection...

About the Author

Donal O’Connell is Director of IPR at Nokia and has deep experience in global wireless telecommunications.//

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