@article {501,
	title = {Patent Value: A Business Perspective for Technology Startups},
	journal = {Technology Innovation Management Review},
	volume = {1},
	year = {2011},
	month = {12/2011},
	pages = {5-11},
	publisher = {Talent First Network},
	address = {Ottawa},
	abstract = {In the last year, news headlines have highlighted record patent infringement settlements, multibillion dollar auctions of large corporate patent portfolios, and ongoing patent battles between key technology industry players. Despite this acknowledgment of the significant value of patents for large corporations, many small technology companies are understandably more focused on the near-term costs of obtaining a patent rather than future value. Costs may seem prohibitive to an early stage technology startup. Some software startups question whether patents are relevant to their business. 

In practice, effective intellectual property (IP) strategy and management is dependent on many factors, such as technology or industry sector, size and maturity of the business, technology lifecycle, and the business and market environment. IP strategy must be aligned to business strategy from the outset. By considering IP in the broader context of the overall business plan and the competitive environment, opportunities for generating increased return on R\&D investment and added business value through patents or other forms of IP can be recognized early on. This approach ensures that a decision about whether or not to patent is driven by business reasons rather than budget constraints.

This article examines the costs and benefits of patents from the perspective of early-stage technology startups and growing businesses, and it provides some general guidance on best practices for developing an IP and patent activity plan and for building a patent portfolio that appropriately supports business objectives.},
	keywords = {business value, intellectual property, patenting costs, patents, strategy},
	issn = {1927-0321},
	doi = {http://doi.org/10.22215/timreview/501},
	url = {http://timreview.ca/article/501},
	author = {Angela de Wilton}
}
