TY - JOUR T1 - Reasons for Patent Protection and Cost-effective Patent Filing Options for SMEs JF - Technology Innovation Management Review Y1 - 2011 A1 - Natalie Raffoul A1 - Art Brion KW - innovation KW - intellectual property KW - patent cost KW - patent filing KW - patent protection AB - Many innovative small and medium enterprises (SMEs) do not seek patent protection for their innovations, either because they are skeptical about the perceived benefits or wary of the perceived costs. However, by failing to protect their intellectual property with patents, they leave themselves exposed to attack by other patent holders. This article explores arguments for patent protection as well as filing options that can protract the patenting process while simultaneously reducing patenting costs. By choosing their patent application filings wisely, SMEs can keep their patenting options open for as long as possible while delaying costs. PB - Talent First Network CY - Ottawa VL - 1 UR - http://timreview.ca/article/505 IS - 3 U1 - CLANCY P.C. + BRION RAFFOUL Natalie Raffoul is a founding partner of CLANCY P.C. + BRION RAFFOUL. As a registered patent agent and lawyer with a background in electrical engineering, she has extensive experience in drafting patent applications for technologies including: electronics, wireless and optical communications and networking, telecommunications switching, optical components and manufacturing processes, optical fibre manufacturing processes, satellite components, fuel cell technologies, security devices and software processes for supply chain management. Natalie is also experienced in filing and prosecuting Canadian, U.S., and PCT international patent applications. She provides advice to her clients, in English and in French, on worldwide patent filing strategies and portfolio management. She is also a frequent speaker on intellectual property matters. U2 - CLANCY P.C. + BRION RAFFOUL Art Brion is a computer engineer, lawyer, and a U.S. and Canadian patent agent. Since 1998, he has assisted clients ranging from multinational corporations to high-tech startup companies to lone inventors. Prior to founding CLANCY P.C. + BRION RAFFOUL, Art practiced with two IP boutique firms in Ottawa. His practice centers on not just the drafting and prosecution of patent applications worldwide but also on providing advice regarding portfolio management and worldwide patent filing strategies. He also provides advice on intellectual property mining and licensing strategies. Art’s fields of specialization include software/Internet-based technologies, wireless technologies, communications and computer and networking and related systems, optics/electro-optic communication systems, cryptography/encryption based technologies, semiconductors and business method systems. A former Editor-in-Chief of the UNB Law Journal, he enjoys the thrust and parry of patent prosecution as it mirrors one of his main preoccupations: fencing. ER -