Purpose oriented patent portfolio management

Abstract

This disclosure comprises a method and system to automatically provide important business information to a user of the system at key decision-making times during the lifetime of a patent with the goal of aligning business and strategies. The system will include an interface into which the client can input information regarding purpose oriented prosecution information on a continual basis and another interface to present the compiled information to the client, or the working attorney, at a later time. This information will automatically be provided to a user based on the detection of a key event in the lifetime of the patent portfolio.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61 / 542,515 filed Oct. 3, 2011, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety and made a part hereof. This application also claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61 / 561,502 filed Nov. 18, 2011, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety and made a part hereof.BACKGROUND[0002]The management of a patent portfolio involves multiple stages. Initially, a decision is made as to what inventions are worth the investment of filing a patent application. Then, each filed patent application goes through prosecution with the patent office. Finally, for each patent that is allowed, maintenance fees must be paid at a variety of intervals to keep the patent in force.[0003]Throughout the multiple stages of the management of a patent portfolio the need can arise to align a client's business strategy ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent text describes a system and method for managing a patent portfolio. The system includes tools to help various parties involved in the patenting process make decisions at each stage of the lifetime of a patent. The goal is to align the business strategy with the management strategies of the patent portfolio. The system also includes an interface for a badness manager to input business strategy information on a continual basis, and another interface to present the compiled information to a key decision maker at each stage of a patent to assist in determining the next course of action. The business strategy information will be sent to the key decision maker throughout the lifetime of a patent at each key decision making time. The technical effect of this patent is to provide a system and method for managing a patent portfolio that helps align business and patent portfolio management strategies.

Problems solved by technology

Often times this presents a problem because the business managers who develop and understand the business strategies of the client are not in communication with those who are responsible for the management of the patent portfolio.

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