Patent Kinetics, LLC

Building "Super Patent Portfolios" Article In MHT Including Sidebar

Mass High Tech published my article, "The reasons for building 'super patent' portfolios" in their April 18th edition. Some ideas from the article:

One approach that has gained some traction recently is that of a "super patent," a "portfolio of portfolios" with a common theme or focus area. Thematic examples include wireless communications, RFIDs, microprocessors, memory chips, bar codes and computer security.

Among the many benefits provided by such a high-volume, broad portfolio approach is a strong defense against competitors armed with their own patents. Super-patent portfolios are likely to deter litigation because of "mutually assured destruction," to borrow a Cold War concept. Conversely, broad portfolios increase the incentives for cross-licensing and co-existence among competitors in similar markets.

Odd Patents From The New York Times Magazine

The New York Times magazine published a list of 2007 utility and design patents issued by the  USPTO and the "problems" they addressed with the intention of providing humor. The list of problems was labeled "2006," which is silly, of course,  given that it takes about 3 years for the average patent to issue in the United States. Humor is, of course, very personal. Nevertheless, the list of odd patents may be amusing and interesting to some readers. The list is reproduced here along with links to the patents. The Time's authors took some liberties with the titles that I have left mostly in place.

Especially for the design patents, clicking on "images" when the PTO page loads will show the first figure.

Battery Charger Amusement Device (7,259,541)

Chewable Toothbrush (7,165,907)

Baby Seat Cover Diaper Bag/Activity Center (7,284,790)

Locking Case For Toothbrush (7,257,972)

Scrambled Egg Snack Food (7,229,660)

Musical Jewelry Apparatus (7,251,957)

Slot Machine Shaped Toaster (D545,112)

Cremation Urn Convertible Birdhouse (7,272,874)

Weber's Presentation from Dec ENet Meeting - update

Robert Weber, Managing Director of Patent Kinetics, LLC, was among the featured speakers at the December 4, 2007 meeting  of the IEEE Boston Entrepreneurs' Network. The topic for the meeting is Protecting & Leveraging Intellectual Property. Weber's presentation focused on, "What Every CEO Needs To Know About the Value of Patents." An expanded version can be downloaded here (PDF).

Others on the panel included Brian Moriarty, a litigator at Hamilton, Brook, Smith & Reynolds and long-time licensing professional Joe Cote. The session was moderated by Scott Southworth, an independent intellectual property attorney. Meeting details can be found on the ENet website here. All the presentations can be downloaded from the ENet archive page.

Time Magazine's Best Inventions of The Year

Time has published it list of the best inventions of 2007. Innovations perhaps. But as Paul Saffo (among others) has pointed out, commercialization often takes decades from invention to market presence. Times list of Best Inventors begins here (with Archimedes).

Do Unused Patents Have Value?

The Boston Business Journal has published my article on the value of unused patents.