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The Strategy Toolbox

By H. Jackson Knight

Researchers and technology managers may not deal with IP every day like IP professionals do, but they are still exposed to all sorts of patent strategy tools, especially when they are attempting to develop a patent strategy for a business. The advertisements for these tools typically imply that life would be so much simpler if only they used the vendor's latest and greatest tool. Many of these tools are very useful; however, most tools also have limitations. Having a framework from which to evaluate these tools is therefore helpful to researchers and managers.

To help develop strategies, there are tools such as books on patent strategy, Web sites and computer software, and obviously, newsletters such as this one. The usefulness of these tools varies widely, based on the experience of the person using the tool and what “job” the person is trying to accomplish. For example, many books are written for the novice independent inventor and are therefore written on a very basic level, the concept of strategy being primarily how to obtain an enforceable patent. On the other hand, many newsletter articles are written for IP professionals and contain much more advanced advice. This advice may be excellent, but also may be too narrowly focused, such as covering some legal exception or nuance, to be incorporated into a broad patent strategy for a particular business.

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