02212nas a2200205   4500008003900000022001400039245006500053210006400118260004200182300000900224490000600233520162200239653001901861653002601880653002001906653001201926653001301938100001901951856003601970       2011                          d  a1927-032100aPatent Value: A Business Perspective for Technology Startups0 aPatent Value A Business Perspective for Technology Startups  aOttawabTalent First Networkc12/2011  a5-110 v13 aIn 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.10abusiness value10aintellectual property10apatenting costs10apatents10astrategy1 aWilton, Angela  uhttp://timreview.ca/article/501