GLOBAL FILING STRATEGIES

The significant cost associated with international patent prosecution is often the central topic of global patent filing. However, a more critical issue which can affect the value of an entire patent family is how prosecution in one jurisdiction may seriously impact or damage a foreign counterpart.

This situation is magnified by actions taken at the point of patent filing. This can automatically set inescapable traps with substantially non-amendable patent specifications due to differing patent regulations of each country. Transpacific IP provides services for strategic national designation and/or strategic patent application drafting, which will reduce risk in global patent filing.

TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT

Assessing the true value of a patent is a crucial step for portfolio management. Without a fair assessment, the rest of the processes can be a waste of resources.

Transpacific IP assesses a patent or a portfolio from two fundamental perspectives - the technology merit, and product competitiveness in the targeted segment of the global market.

CASE STUDY

Assessing a DRAM patent requires comparing its device design with the modern design of DRAM capacitors. These are categorized by stack and trench type. As to assessing its market value, distinctively different results may come out regardless of the technical merit because stack capacitors are not used as much by Japanese IC makers. German IC makers tend to favor use stack capacitors. Therefore, the method of assessing must be a two step process - the technological merit and the market perspective. Further investigation on the generic value of a specific patent can also be done after the above two steps are performed.  

This systematic approach by Transpacific assures the asset owner the assessment is always performed efficiently, precisely and logically.

STRATEGIC PATENTING

Patenting an invention requires a professional action plan for filing, so that the core interest of an asset can be preserved. This requires extraordinary skill in patenting strategies. The start of the process often times will seem unclear, but the outcome can be dramatically different.

CASE STUDY

An optical mouse patent can be filed as a structural device for computer cursor maneuvering; a CMOS image sensor is attached to the device. The invention can also be filed as a device that would provide the capability to compare a series of digital images taken by a digital camera mounted onto a mouse. This mouse then processes the image data and renders motion vectors to the computer for cursor maneuvering.

The two filing strategies result in very different asset protection schemes when a patent is issued. Evidence of use for the structural patent means a physical device must exist that has all the entities described in the claim.

The method patent requires evidence, regardless of physical form, demonstrating the method has been used. In the optical mouse industry and CMOS sensor manufacturing technique, we know that the design of its accommodating case is multifaceted, but the method is essentially the same. It compares a series of digital images, processes this information and controls the cursor on the computer.

Transpacific has exceptional experience and skill in filing patents strategically for the inventors. We are committed to preserving the core value of the invention using the strategic planning skill we have developed over the years.

COST ANALYSIS

Cost or budget control management is an essential and significant issue in IP protection strategy. Transpacific IP works directly with local patent agents and attorneys in every major country and uses an in-house patent team to oversee all prosecution events and details. We are capable of providing an accurate cost analysis of patent prosecution strategies for all international patents while maximizing patent quality and claim scope.