作者:Andrew T. Pham??

概述

A patent portfolio can be a significant part of a corporation’s overall value, as evidenced by the recent sale of Nortel’s 6,000 patents for $4.5 billion and Google’s acquisition of Motorola and their 17,000 patents for $12.5 billion. Knowing this, companies must place the same measure of attention on their patent portfolio as with other investment portfolios. Therefore, the old rules of investing – asset allocation, scale, diversification, buy and hold – must be applied to patents and patent portfolio management. For a patent portfolio to be a truly successful, effective, and winning portfolio, a company must also strategically manage it to return profits and direct market trends.

專利組合可以成為公司整體價值的重要組成部分升敲，最近北電以45億美元出售6000項專利以及谷歌以125億美元收購摩托羅拉及其17,000項專利的收購案例就證明了這一點穗椅。因此企業(yè)必須像其他投資組合一樣對其專利組合給與同樣的關注。舊的投資規(guī)則-資產配置，規(guī)模当叭，多樣化，購買和持有 - 必須適用于專利和專利組合管理。要使專利組合真正起作用，成為有效且成功的投資組合实蓬，公司還必須對其進行戰(zhàn)略性管理茸俭，以贏得利潤和引領市場趨勢。

This QuickCounsel provides a concise outline of the components of successful patent portfolio management. Managing a patent portfolio parallels managing an investment portfolio in many respects. Therefore, viewing patents as a portfolio and creating and maintaining the volume, scale, diversity, and balance of the portfolio are the keys to success.

本QuickCounsel簡要概述了成功的專利組合管理的組成部分安皱。管理專利組合與許多方面的投資組合管理相似调鬓。因此，將專利視為投資組合酌伊，創(chuàng)建和維護投資組合的數量腾窝，規(guī)模，多樣性和平衡是成功的關鍵居砖。

投資組合

The true value of patents derives from their aggregation in the patent portfolio—that is, the collective value of the entire portfolio as a whole and not the individual patents themselves. A?significant patent portfolio?spreads the risks among many patents and decreases the dependency on individual patents (in other words, decreasing reliance on individual claim scope and validity). Additionally, holding many patents in one technology allows a company to have a controlling interest in that market as well as direct and influence the markets that rely on that technology. This can be a very powerful tool to enable market power, technology development, and innovation while minimizing risk.

專利的真正價值來自于它們匯總在專利組合中形成的整體價值虹脯，而不是個別專利本身。一項重要的專利組合將風險分散到許多專利中悯蝉，并減少對個別專利的依賴（換句話說归形，減少對個人索賠范圍和有效性的依賴）托慨。此外鼻由，在一項技術中持有多項專利，使公司能夠對該市場擁有控制權厚棵，并直接影響依賴該技術的市場蕉世。這可以是一個非常強大的工具，可以在最小化風險的同時實現市場力量婆硬，技術開發(fā)和創(chuàng)新狠轻。

Many considerations go into determining the optimal size of a company’s patent portfolio and the optimal patent portfolio size will be different for each company. While a large patent portfolio is always preferred, there is a limit. A company should not patent every idea that comes along. Each company requires an organized strategy that not only considers the basic premise of risk allocation and reduction, but also looks closely at what innovations to file patents on. As the size of the patent portfolio increases, each individual patenting decision will become less important and will have less of an impact on the portfolio as a whole. Nonetheless, a continuous, organized strategy that looks at the innovation, gauging the scope, quality and the company’s own guidelines will continue to foster a?quality patent portfolio.

在確定公司專利組合的最佳規(guī)模時需要考慮很多因素，并且每家公司的最佳專利組合規(guī)模都不同彬犯。雖然總是首選大型專利組合向楼，但總歸是有限度的。公司不應該為每一個出現的新想法申請專利谐区。每家公司都需要一個有組織的戰(zhàn)略湖蜕，不僅要考慮減少風險的基本目標，還要密切關注申請專利的創(chuàng)新程度宋列。隨著專利組合規(guī)模的增加昭抒，每項個人專利決策將變得不那么重要，對整個投資組合的影響也會減小炼杖。盡管如此灭返，一個持續(xù)的，有組織的戰(zhàn)略坤邪，審視創(chuàng)新熙含，衡量范圍，質量和公司自己的指導方針艇纺，將繼續(xù)培養(yǎng)高質量的專利組合婆芦。

R&D spending over patenting filings can serve as a basic metric for companies to determine patent portfolio size. First, consider the?patenting intensity per R&D?expenditure. Generally, for every $1.3 million in R&D expenditure, U.S. companies file one patent application. Next, consider?R&D spending. Generally, the smaller a company is, the more it spends in R&D as a proportion of revenue. Therefore, if smaller companies are spending more on R&D, they should also patent more proportionally.

專利申請的研發(fā)支出可以作為公司確定專利組合規(guī)模的基本指標怕磨。首先，考慮每個研發(fā)支出的專利強度消约。通常肠鲫，每研發(fā)支出130萬美元，美國公司就會提交一份專利申請或粮。通常导饲，公司規(guī)模越小，其在研發(fā)中的支出就越多氯材。因此渣锦，如果規(guī)模較小的公司在研發(fā)上花費更多，他們也應該按比例申請更多專利氢哮。

Based on the patenting intensity of U.S. resident per R&D expenditure, the suggested patent filing rate for U.S. companies with less than $100 million in revenue is 12 patent applications per year. For U.S. companies with revenue between $500 million and $1 billion, the patenting intensity should be approximately 65 patent applications per year.

根據美國居民基于研發(fā)支出輸出的專利申請強度袋毙，美國公司收入少于1億美元的專利申請率為每年12項專利申請。對于收入在5億美元至10億美元之間的美國公司冗尤，專利申請強度應為每年約65項專利申請听盖。

At a certain point, IP risks will be minimized. Each individual patent and patenting decision will become less important as the size of a patent portfolio grows because of the power of aggregation and the spreading of risks throughout the portfolio. Primarily, the remaining risks are broader industry risks influenced by external factors including: the economy, demand, consumer confidence and unforeseeable shifts in technologies.

在一個特定的節(jié)點上，知識產權風險將處于最小值裂七。由于專利整合為專利包的機體力量和整個專利組合中風險的分散皆看，隨著專利組合規(guī)模的擴大，每項專利申請都將變得不那么重要背零。在這種情況下的風險是受外部因素影響的更廣泛的行業(yè)風險腰吟，包括：經濟，需求徙瓶，消費者信心和不可預見的技術變化毛雇。

In addition to R&D, scale and diversity are important in determining a company’s optimal patent portfolio size and composition.

除了研發(fā)，規(guī)模和多樣性對于確定公司的最佳專利組合規(guī)模和組成也很重要侦镇。

規(guī)模

In a patent portfolio, scale is the effective total filing in a given subject matter, which includes applications and issued patents in all countries. It is important to have scale in a patent portfolio because it is what enables?market and category leadership. Category leadership drives profitability. Therefore, scale can be a measure of category leadership. Having the right to exclude others on several related patents provides broad protection of the subject matter. This type of category leadership provides benefits beyond straightforward profitability.

在專利組合中灵疮，規(guī)模是給定主題的有效總申請，其中包括所有國家的申請和已頒發(fā)的專利虽缕。在專利組合中擁有一定的規(guī)模非常重要始藕，因為它可以實現市場和類別領導，這將推動企業(yè)在這一類別的盈利氮趋。因此伍派，規(guī)模可以衡量類別領導力剩胁。有權將其他幾項相關專利排除在外诉植，可為該主題提供廣泛的保護。這種類別的領導力提供的好處超出了直接的盈利能力昵观。

首先晾腔，一個強大且適當規(guī)模的專利組合作為反對訴訟的防御性武器舌稀。擁有反索賠目的的專利組合的公司不是一個好的或容易的目標。其次灼擂，適當規(guī)模的專利組合也可以作為攻擊性武器壁查。它阻止其他人進入該領域-實質上是創(chuàng)造進入的障礙。第三剔应，具有這種類別領導力的公司來自規(guī)乃龋化的投資組合可以塑造行業(yè)決策并影響行業(yè)信息和標準化。對主題的廣泛保護峻贮，規(guī)模的衍生席怪，增加了專利組合的許可和貨幣化的議價能力，并將使公司能夠發(fā)揮重要的市場影響力纤控。簡而言之挂捻，一個規(guī)模龐大的專利組合可以創(chuàng)造領導力并推動盈利。

First, a strong and properly scaled patent portfolio operates as?a defensive weapon against litigation. A company with a portfolio of patents to choose from for the purpose of counterclaims is not a good or easy target. Second, a properly scaled patent portfolio can also operate as an?offensive weapon. It discourages others from entering the field – essentially creating a barrier to entry. Third, a company with this type of category leadership from a scaled portfolio can shape industry decisions and influence industry message and standardization. Broad protection of a subject matter, a derivative of scale, increases bargaining power in licensing and monetization of the patent portfolio and will enable a company to wield significant market influence. In short, a well-scaled patent portfolio creates category leadership and drives profitability.

多樣性

多元化是一種風險對沖形式船万。在專利組合中刻撒，它涉及在不同領域獲得專利。與金融資產類似唬涧，這些多元化專利（子組合或類別）應對同一事件做出不同反應（強調增加）疫赎。換句話說盛撑，如果專利類別或子組合的價值沒有完全同步地上下移動碎节，那么整個投資組合可能比基于單一事件損失或獲得價值的投資組合更具風險規(guī)避性。（例如消費者需求或品味的轉變）抵卫。它不能保證不會丟失（例如狮荔，通過選擇錯誤的專利或字段做出錯誤的決定），但這是一種將長期風險降至最低的方法介粘。

Diversification?is a form of risk hedging. In a patent portfolio, it involves obtaining patents in different areas. Similar to financial assets, these diversified patents (sub-portfolios or categories) should react differently to the same event (emphasis added). In other words, if the value of the patent categories or sub-portfolios do not move up and down in perfect synchrony, then the portfolio as a whole is likely more risk-averse than a portfolio that loses or gain value based on a single event (such as a shift in consumer demand or taste). It will not guarantee against loss (e.g., making the wrong decision by choosing the wrong patent or field), but it is a way to minimize long-term risk.

多樣性是規(guī)模的補充殖氏，但不應取代規(guī)模。雖然規(guī)模創(chuàng)造了類別領導力姻采，但多樣性提供了風險雅采，資產和業(yè)務多樣化的好處。太多的多樣化會降低規(guī)模效益慨亲，因此必須謹慎婚瓜。公司必須具備成功的規(guī)模;多樣化本身不會創(chuàng)造一個成功的專利組合。然而刑棵，適當多元化和規(guī)陌涂蹋化的投資組合可以成為推動企業(yè)成功的非常有力的工具。

Diversity is complementary to scale, but should not replace scale. While scale creates category leadership, diversity provides benefits of risk, asset, and business diversification. Too much diversification can reduce the benefits of scale, so it is imperative to be cautious. A company must have scale to succeed; diversity alone will not create a winning patent portfolio. However, a properly diversified and scaled portfolio can be a very powerful tool to drive corporate success.

創(chuàng)建理想的多元化專利組合類別是每家公司獨有的蛉签。所選類別應與公司的長期公司業(yè)務戰(zhàn)略密切配合胡陪。行政和高級管理層必須為制定多元化戰(zhàn)略提供投入沥寥。例如，應考慮可能是（未來）收入和利潤的重要貢獻者的產品和技術-即成為專利類別的主體柠座。對沖未來風險邑雅。公司應擁有的理想專利和專利類別數量因公司規(guī)模，產品線和行業(yè)而異÷杈現代股票投資組合理論的一個經驗法則是蒂阱，持有20只股票將實現最佳多樣性。這可以作為優(yōu)化專利多樣性的指導狂塘，不應超過20個專利類別录煤。

Creating the ideal diversified patent portfolio categories is unique to each company. The chosen categories should align closely with the long-term corporate business strategy of the company. It is imperative that executive and senior management provide input to shape the diversification strategy.For example, products and technologies that may be important contributors to (future) revenue and profit should be considered – that is, be the subject of a category for patenting to hedge against future risks.The ideal number of patents and patent categories that a company should hold will vary by company depending on its size, product line and industry. One rule of thumb for?modern stock portfolio theory?claims that a holding of 20 stocks will achieve optimal diversity. This can be guidance that to optimize patent diversity no more than?20 patent categories should be considered.

平衡

為了正確維護獲勝的專利組合，應對其進行定期和系統(tǒng)的審查和重新平衡荞胡。專利組合應根據公司當前的需求和特定技術或專利的壽命進行修改妈踊。公司在追求他人的同時不會續(xù)簽一些專利。

To properly maintain the winning patent portfolio, it should be periodically and systematically reviewed and rebalanced.The patent portfolio should be modified based on the company’s current needs and the life span of a given technology or patent.?Companies will not renew some patents while they pursue others.

為了審查和重新平衡泪漂，公司應分析其在各個行業(yè)廊营，細分市場或類別中的競爭地位，以確定實力和市場領導地區(qū)以及競爭力較弱的領域萝勤。確定真正的行業(yè)領導潛力和職能范圍存在的位置尤為重要露筒。首先，評估投資組合敌卓，以確定哪些專利慎式，技術和類別，以及所有這些的組合趟径，將在額外價值或投資回報方面提供最大規(guī)模瘪吏。其次，通過在索賠范圍和競爭使用方面確定具有良好基本面的子組合蜗巧，子細分或子類別來對投資組合進行細分掌眠。第三，通過確定公司可以實際實現類別領導的投資組合內的區(qū)域來規(guī)劃有針對性的增長幕屹。然后定義開發(fā)和支持子組合增長并合理化或修剪其他領域的舉措蓝丙。第四，通過評估規(guī)模和多樣性如何受益并優(yōu)化投資組合來平衡投資組合望拖。

To review and re-balance, a company should analyze its competitive position across its industries, segments or categories to identify areas of strength and market leadership and areas where it is less competitive. It is particularly important to identify where true industry leadership potential and functional scale exists. First, assess the portfolio to identify which patents, technologies and categories, and which combinations of all of these, will provide the most scale in terms of additional value or return on investment. Second, segment the portfolio by identifying sub-portfolios, sub-segments or sub-categories with sound fundamentals—in terms of claims scope and competitive use. Third, plan for targeted growth by identifying areas within the portfolio where the company can realistically achieve category leadership. Then define initiatives to develop and support growth to the sub-portfolios and rationalize or prune other areas. Fourth, balance the portfolio by assessing how scale and diversity benefit and optimize the portfolio.

從根本上說渺尘，重新平衡專利組合正在決定要丟棄哪些專利，要維護或更新哪些專利以及要追求哪些專利靠娱。例如沧烈，如果公司浪費資源進行更新，尤其是在產品生命周期即將結束時（換句話說像云，新專利的好處超過舊專利的好處）锌雀，公司應該放棄專利蚂夕。如果專利仍然符合投資組合的最佳利益，則通過支付任何續(xù)訂費來維持專利腋逆，特別是如果專利涵蓋產品生命周期的早期或中期階段婿牍。通常，產品生命周期早期的專利需要新的和類似的專利來涵蓋不斷變化的技術惩歉。公司可能還需要考慮和更新持續(xù)申請和部分繼續(xù)申請（增加新事項和披露）以跟蹤市場變化等脂。時間是專利組合管理和平衡的關鍵。由于現有技術和權利要求的縮小撑蚌，經常進入現場后經常導致專利的顯著貶值上遥。另一方面，提前進入可能是一個潛在的金礦争涌。再次粉楚，知道什么時候出去。公司面臨資源部署效率低下的風險亮垫，在擁擠的領域擁有專利模软，價值有限萨驶】迓考慮是否更好地應用（通常是有限的）資源來捕獲新的創(chuàng)新。

Fundamentally, re-balancing a patent portfolio is determining which patents to discard, which patents to maintain or renew, and which patents to pursue. A company should discard a patent if, for example, it is a waste of resources to renew, particularly if it is near the end of the product lifecycle (in other words, the benefits of new patents exceed the benefits of the older patents). Maintain a patent by paying any renewal fees if it is still in the best interest of the portfolio, particularly if the patent covers a product in the early or middle stage of its lifecycle. Often, patents in the early stage of a product lifecycle require new and similar patents to cover changing technology. A company may also need to consider and update?continuing applications?and continuation-in-part applications (adding new matters and disclosures) to track market changes.Timing is the key to patent portfolio management and balancing. Oftentimes entering a field late results in a significant devaluation of the patent due to prior art and narrowing of the claims. On the other hand, early entry may be a potential gold mine. Again, know when to get out. Companies are at risk of inefficient deployments of resources with patents in crowded fields that are of limited value. Consider whether it is better to apply,often limited,resources to capturing new innovations.

結論

每個擁有完善業(yè)務戰(zhàn)略的公司都應該將專利組合和戰(zhàn)略作為其計劃的一部分夯膀。制定適當規(guī)模和多樣化的基于投資組合的專利戰(zhàn)略將有助于確保公司獲得類別領導力继蜡。公司在其投資組合中應擁有的專利數量取決于公司的規(guī)模回俐，收入和研發(fā)支出。公司應擴大專利規(guī)模壹瘟，以優(yōu)化品類領導力鲫剿，避免過度多樣化而犧牲規(guī)模鳄逾，控制專利類別數量以確保最佳結果稻轨。一旦投資組合到位，通過定期審查和重新平衡來維護成功的投資組合雕凹。

Every company with a sound business strategy should have a patent portfolio and strategy as part of its plan. Developing a portfolio-based patent strategy that is properly scaled and diverse will help ensure the company attains category leadership. The number of patents a company should hold in its portfolio depends on the company’s size, revenue and R&D expenditures. Companies should scale their patents to optimize category leadership and avoid over-diversification at the expense of scale, keeping the number of patent categories in check to ensure optimal results. Once the portfolio is in place, maintain the successful portfolio by periodically reviewing and re-balancing it.