Patent Marketplace
A new marketplace is emerging with greater opportunity for the buying and selling of technology patents. Traditionally, owners of technology patents had very few, if any, options when selling their patents. Many times these patents were: offered to only a few potential buyers and sold for significantly less than their true market value, held until they expired, or abandoned outright. Now, patent owners have the ability to sell their patents and patent applications and obtain a real return on their investment because there is an increasing demand to acquire patents by a myriad of prospective buyers and a new marketplace is being developed that connect buyers and sellers.
Patents are Complex Assets
Patents are a complicated asset class that requires a unique combination of legal, technical, and business expertise to determine the value of and market for those patents. Often times, patent holders do not have the resources, skills, or relationships with interested buyers needed for a successful sale. Additionally, the value of a patent is based on a number of factors including the breadth of the claims, how widely the patent is being used today or potential in the future, the ability to enforce the patent, and amount of impacted revenue. There are also a number of factors that can decrease value including encumbrances (licenses or liens), prior art, or a problem with the prosecution history. An understanding of these factors from a legal, technical, and business point of view will help clarify actual market value.
IPBS is the market maker for technology patents. When patent holders are considering selling or have made the decision to sell patents, they often do not know where to begin or who to turn to. They will usually ask for advice from friends, advisors, attorneys, or others. Though these confidants may be well meaning, they more than likely do not have the specific experience needed to access and maximize the opportunities of the patent marketplace.
IPBS is a professional, independent patent brokerage that utilizes the business, technical and legal expertise needed to orchestrate successful patent transactions from beginning to end. IPBS is driving a market that has been previously been limited by:
- General unfamiliarity with the market
- The complexity of patents
- The broad expertise required for proper valuation
- A means to connect willing sellers with interested buyers
IPBS applies its wide-ranging expertise and over 25 years of experience in patent transactions to:
- Give sellers unprecedented access to a multitude of prospective buyers
- Manage the patent analysis, marketing and sales process from start to close
- Significantly increase the likelihood of a sale at the best possible price through its proven 5 Step process for selling technology patents
This process has allowed IPBS to achieve a superior track record of closing greater than 95% of its transactions as well as generating considerably higher prices over initial offers for its sellers. The process is significant in that it assist buyers by providing them with sufficient information to make a speedy decision as well as clarifying unknown variables that could reduce a patent's value.
As the architects of the first corporate patent purchasing program while at Intel Corporation, and having assisted numerous other technology companies in developing their patent purchasing programs, the Founders of IPBS understand from experience what buyers look for in technology patents. Companies are generally looking to acquire patents for the following reasons:
- Enhance and broaden their existing patent portfolios
- Supplement their internal R&D activities
- Respond to or protect against specific IP threats
- Complement and strengthen an active/planned licensing program
IPBS supports these patent purchasing objectives through strategic and tactical services:
Strategic Patent Purchasing Services
IPBS has assisted leading technology companies in the creation, management approval, and implementation of effective corporate patent purchasing programs and processes.
Tactical Patent Purchasing Services
Whether you are executing your patent purchasing program, in need of patents to respond to a specific IP threat, or have identified specific patents that you would like to acquire, IPBS can help. Services provided include:
- Patent mining and analysis to identify and validate candidate patents for purchase
- Developing a negotiating strategy and plan
- Completing the appropriate due diligence on the patents
- Negotiating with patent owners to close
- Maintaining the confidentiality of the buyer, if required
IPotential has the technical, legal and business expertise to assist buyers in understanding the available patents in detail to make an informed buy decision. This includes an understanding of the underlying technology, current and/or potential future uses in products, the markets affected by those products, and the relevant history of the patents.
Additionally, as one of the premier independent patent brokers in the United States, we have visibility to a great number of patents being offered for sale by us and others. If you are in the market to buy patents, let us know what your needs are and we will help you meet those needs.
If you are representing a buyer or seller, IPotential can assist you by extending your reach.
Contact Us
To discuss your patent sale or acquisition needs or for any other questions you may have, please call 650.572.9500 or e-mail: inquiry@ipotential.com
