Japanese corporates have historically eschewed patent monetisation; a deep-seated ‘not invented here’ syndrome and a fear of feeding ‘trolls’, combining to negate most motivations for selling IP assets.
But attitudes change – particularly when the economic going is tougher than ever.
The findings of recent research from IP analytics firm Darts-ip suggest that China and Germany are the top two jurisdictions for non-practising entities (NPEs) that are asserting their patent rights.
Patent risk management firms RPX and Unified Patents have each started the new year by releasing preliminary numbers on US patent lawsuits filed in 2016. With figures dramatically down year on year – as many market observers would no doubt have expected – it may seem obvious to conclude that patent transaction deal flow will also drop-off over the next 12 months. But there may be reason to believe that demand for third-party patent assets could be boosted as would-be plaintiffs seek out new targets.
The findings of recent research from Stanford Law School and IAM Market vendor ROL Group offer a thought-provoking insight on the differences between patents developed in-house and those acquired from third parties when it comes to litigating them.
In a massive development that will impact patent owners across the globe, the UK government announced this week that it will ratify the Unified Patent Court (UPC) Agreement in spite of the country’s decision back in June to leave the European Union.
The value of patents covering computer programs and related technologies has arguably been the hardest hit by recent legislative reforms, new jurisprudence and anti-IP sentiment. But those looking to buy, sell and license software patents have no reason to give up hope just yet.
Patents relevant to media and content delivery are showing plenty of promise in terms of generating licensing revenues if the fortunes of three companies operating in this space – including two IAM Market vendors – are anything to go by.