A patent/literature search is performed for various purposes, from assessing patentability of an invention to analyzing risks in product launches and understanding the landscape of a particular technology. While perusing patent databases is fairly straight forward, culling out appropriate information from the sea of data available requires special research skills, technology insight, and a thorough understanding of the patent system.

A patent specification encapsulates an invention, defining the scope of protection awarded to the invention through its claims. Claims play a critical role in defining the metes and bounds of an invention, with adequate support from the specification and the manner in which it is drafted. Strong technological background, keeping abreast with developments in patent law, experience in prosecution of patent applications and craftsmanship in making the disclosure, all play an essential role in determining the quality of the draft that is ultimately produced.

The Patent Filing stage marks the beginning of the patenting process for an invention. Filing for a patent is referred to by some as a constructive ‘reduction to practice’ for an invention. Though the process is largely procedural, it is an essential step requiring expertise, attention and speed. Also, the possible approaches available under the patent law, nationally and internationally, necessitates due analysis and strategy for filing.

The process of acquiring a patent is only half done after a good specification is drafted and the application is filed. Taking the patent specification to grant requires immense expertise, craftsmanship, and diligence. All actions during the patent prosecution phase, from drafting examination responses to dealing with examiners require special skill, experience in dealing with the patent office and an in-depth understanding of patent law and procedure. More often than not, despite the value of an invention, a patent grant or its scope depends on the experience and expertise of the patent attorney.

The process of acquiring a patent is only half done after a good specification is drafted and the application is filed. Taking the patent specification to grant requires immense expertise, craftsmanship, and diligence. All actions during the patent prosecution phase, from drafting examination responses to dealing with examiners require special skill, experience in dealing with the patent office and an in-depth understanding of patent law and procedure. More often than not, despite the value of an invention, a patent grant or its scope depends on the experience and expertise of the patent attorney.

More often than desired, inventions not worthy of a patent grant pass through the patenting process and pose threats to businesses as granted patents. These patents may be invalidated or revoked through a legal process at any time before the expiry of the patent term. Grounds for such revocation may be the existence of prior art, inequitable conduct and even false disclosure to the patent office. Despite the existence of valid grounds for invalidation, the task may be accomplished only through diligent research and documentation, careful drafting and lucid presentation of the case.

Managing, Evaluating and Valuing a patent, each play a vital role in enabling an organization gain business value from its patents. Beginning with patent portfolio management through to the commercialization of a patent, a well defined policy and process must be in place. Audits, at regular intervals, not only help companies excavate untapped inventions, but will also ensure patent process compliance. Based on an organization’s patent strategy, the quality of its patent portfolio and its financial value need to be consistently analyzed and strategized.

Patent litigation can be a very costly and time consuming affair, unless strategically managed. Despite its pitfalls, through proper planning, litigation can be used as a valuable tool to gain business value. An efficient and effective business approach to patent litigation requires a thorough knowledge of not only the patent system but also the judicial system. The approach also requires keen understanding of a client’s business goals and modes of achieving them through litigation, strategic cost/time management and swift response to challenges.