Why Should Your R&D Head and IP Lawyer Work Together?

Patents are valuable assets, critical to the success of your business. Having a sound patent strategy is, therefore, crucial for your company. A well-planned patent strategy offers a competitive edge, boosts brand reputation, opens up profitable avenues, and provides an advantage over infringement issues. However, the rising competition, where hundreds of patents are being filed by tech firms each year has made it difficult to develop a sound patent strategy. A well-designed patent strategy is the collaborative work of various departments of an organisation. Two of which include the Intellectual Property and Research and Development departments. For a well-planned patent strategy, it is vital that your patent lawyer in Canada and the research team work in collaboration.

How can the R&D Head and the Patent Lawyer in Canada Collaborate on Patent Strategy?

Every invention moves in a four phase cycle starting from growth and ending on a decline. An invention goes through several changes in each of the phases, making the information vital in forming a patent strategy. Collaborative work by the R&D and the patent lawyer during these phases allows you to formulate a strong patent strategy.

Growth Phase

This is the initial phase, where the  technology  is discovered and patents are filed. A lot of time on research and understanding of the technology is spent during this period. Patents are filed in consideration with the research results. While the research team plays a crucial role during this phase, it is vital that the patent team collaborate to understand the technology for developing a strong patent strategy.

Development Phase

The interest in the technology rises during this period. While efforts are made in the initial phase to pique public interest, the marketing efforts double during this phase as the patented inventions are disclosed to the public. Patent trends, including filing and tracking competitor’s patents, are usually on a rise during this phase. A  patent  lawyer  keeps a continuous track of and analyses different technologies entering the market. All this, in turn, must be communicated to the research team to help them strategize their next step.

Maturity Phase

The technology is at its peak in this phase. Hardly any improvements are made and the patenting activities are on a low. A patent lawyer helps in understanding the move from the development to the maturity phase and communicates the info with the research team. This, in turn, allows the research team to channelize their energy into the next invention. Understanding this move further helps you stay ahead of the competition and evaluate your next patent strategy.

Declining Phase and Recovery

The last phase of the cycle is the declining phase, where the technology becomes obsolete. It is time to shed off the load of unnecessary patents from the patent portfolio. Patent lawyers analyse the previous strategy to develop a better strategy for the next invention. Most patent lawyers also analyse the patent portfolio to look for profitable opportunities. As a recovery technique, businesses license certain unimportant patents to gain profits.

Inventions are a regular part of a business. These phases help understand the status of your technology and contemplate your next move. Having a  patent lawyer  in Canada work in collaboration with the research team helps you formulate a strong patent strategy and gain monopoly over your inventions.