The Patenting Paradox

Tomorrow, Monday February 11, Arnaud Gasnier, receives his PhD at Technical University Delft (TU Delft) for a study on efficient patent management ("The Patenting Paradox") . Gasnier’s study shows that despite a dramatic increase in the number of patents filed each year, the majority of those patents are not actively used. This behavior is called the “Patenting Paradox”. Why does it exist? What are its effects? How can this paradox be solved? This study addresses these issues. It provides models to better understand the complexity of patent management; and tools to help the firm navigate in the competitive environment. Current practices are illustrated with pertinent patent information. This study also presents the results from a survey among more than 1,100 patent users, which explains the roots of the paradox in the firm.

Many companies, R&D institutes and universities in Europe have no IP management nor strategy in place to manage the patents in such a way that it creates value to their organizations. The value of a firm’s IP can be in its economic or financial importance (contribution to finance R&D efforts) or strategic means (obtaining cross licenses of third parties) or defensive purposes (freedom to operate).

The study proposes the use of game-based interventions to improve patent management (awareness, collaboration, strategy). A very interesting and welcome contribution to IP management in a undervalued area of academic research in Europe.

for an ipeg presentation of the different IP management issues, see "Patents and Strategic IPR Management"