QUEZON CITY, PHILIPPINES—January 18, 2010— IBM (NYSE: IBM) announced that it received 4,914 U.S. patents in 2009, marking the 17th consecutive year it has topped the list of the world’s most inventive companies. IBM also announced that, for the first time, it will offer its invention and patent management know-how and software to customers seeking to enhance their intellectual property management capabilities in support of innovation-based growth strategies.
IBM’s 2009 patent total nearly quadrupled its closest rival and exceeded the combined issuances of six of the top US Patent Leaders (IT companies) based on the data provided by IFI Patent Intelligence. (more below)
In addition, IBM published almost 4,000 technical inventions in 2009, instead of seeking patent protection, thereby making the inventions freely available to others. IBM released these inventions through publication as part of its commitment to improving patent quality. Consequently, the inventions are freely available in a public database of prior art and can be cited by patent offices in limiting the scope of patent applications. The company’s publication effort may also spur follow-on innovation, which enables dynamic business growth.
“As part of our plan to help customers build and support a culture of invention and innovation, IBM will provide access to its advanced invention and patent portfolio management software and know-how through engagements with customers. This, in turn, can help stimulate growth by supporting development of higher-value patent portfolios,” said Wilson Go, a Filipino IBMer who leads the IBM Asia Pacific IP Licensing Business Development function.
IBM’s patent and intellectual property (IP) experts have developed and used the software for over a decade to help analyze, assess and effectively administer its portfolio of 30,000 U.S. patents. The software, coupled with the company’s experience, has enabled IBM to balance its patent and intellectual property strategy with its business needs and generate new ways to derive more value for IBM and its customers.
“We are making our patent and IP management know-how and software available because customers have increasingly approached IBM for insight into how to effectively establish and manage their own patent and IP portfolios. This approach is consistent with our commitment to working with others to encourage an environment of collaboration for innovation,” Go added.
Under the patent and IP management offering, IBM will provide customers with know-how to help them plan, create and leverage their established or emerging IP portfolios; the guidance will not include legal advice. The know-how IBM will offer can help customers assess an IP infrastructure, identify high potential invention opportunity areas, and build an intellectual property portfolio. IBM also will teach customers about developing and implementing a strategic planning framework, harvesting intellectual property, and establishing culture of innovation. To help customers learn how to leverage their IP, IBM will offer insight on licensing, establishing best-of-breed patent management practices, and ways to help expand market opportunities.
IBM’s IP know-how and software can help innovative companies effectively evaluate their patent portfolios, identify new patent opportunities, and more closely align their business and IP strategies.
Access to a Lotus Notes-based version of IBM’s patent portfolio management software is currently available to customers in know-how engagements, and a Web-based version of the tool is in development for the second-half of 2010*. IBM will provide access to expert consultants from its Intellectual Property and Licensing team to help devise a plan that can meet the individual needs of customers interested in using the software.
IBM’s patent consulting and software offering is immediately available. Pricing will be determined on a case-by-case basis.
For more information, please visit: http://www.research.ibm.com/
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