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3 Feb 2020
Patents with a view: patent landscaping and how to use it
IP rights are important assets in knowledge-driven, innovative economies. Analysing public patent information in order to gain technical or strategic insights is denoted as ‘patent landscaping’. This article explains why patent databases are an invaluable source of technological and strategic information and how patent landscaping can help businesses to capitalize on this untapped potential.
A granted patent confers on its owner the legal right to exclude others from commercially exploiting the patented invention. In exchange, an enabling disclosure of how to put the invention into practice must be made publicly available. For this reason, patent publications are arguably the best – and often the only – way to get insight into the research & development activities of innovative companies.
Key insights from patent landscaping
- Mapping the state-of-the-art to identify starting points for further innovation
- Identifying new innovation opportunities by finding innovation gaps
- Developing a strategic and strong patent portfolio
- Gaining insight into your competitors’ patenting strategies
- Uncovering new licensing opportunities
- Detecting new players in your field at the earliest possible stage
Joran Michiels wrote an article, explaining why patent databases are an invaluable source of technological and strategic information and how patent landscaping can help businesses to capitalize on this untapped potential. The article also includes a case study about CRISPR/CAS.