The invention harvesting process

The invention harvesting process, when guided by an expert patent attorney and IP strategist, is a systematic approach to identifying and protecting valuable inventions that align with market needs and business objectives. This process typically involves eight key steps:

The process begins with a thorough understanding of the market landscape and the specific needs of target customers. This involves conducting market research, analysing customer feedback, and identifying unmet needs or pain points that can be addressed through innovation. The goal is to pinpoint opportunities where new inventions can provide significant value and competitive advantage.

Once the market needs and customer benefits are clear, the next step is to define the role of intellectual property (IP) in protecting those benefits. This involves determining the appropriate IP strategies, using patents, trademarks, or trade secrets, to safeguard the unique aspects of the inventions and maintain a competitive edge in the market.

With a clear understanding of the market and IP objectives, the focus shifts to evaluate and prioritize the potential areas where valuable inventions are likely to emerge. This may involve analysing insights of different departments, research and development activities, or specific technological domains where innovation is most active.

In this step, brainstorming sessions, workshops, or other collaborative approaches are employed to generate a wide range of potential technical solutions that address the identified market need. These solutions are then carefully evaluated for their feasibility, novelty, and potential for patent protection.

The identified solutions are ranked based on their potential commercial value, technical feasibility, and alignment with the overall IP strategy. This ranking process helps prioritize the most promising inventions for further development and patent protection.

The top-ranked inventions undergo a refinement process where they are further developed and optimized. This may involve conducting additional research, prototyping, or testing to ensure the inventions are robust, practical, and meet the desired customer benefits.

A crucial step in the process is to conduct a thorough search of existing patents and prior art to ensure the invention is truly novel and not already protected by others. This search helps identify any potential conflicts or limitations and allows for adjustments of the invention or the patent claims to ensure novelty.

Finally, the patent attorney works closely with the inventors to draft a comprehensive patent application that accurately and effectively describes the invention and its claims. This application is then filed with the relevant patent offices to initiate the patent prosecution process.

Throughout this entire process, the expert patent attorney and IP strategist play a vital role in guiding the company, ensuring that the inventions are properly protected, and that the IP strategy aligns with the overall business objectives. They provide legal expertise, strategic advice, and ensure compliance with all relevant regulations, maximizing the value of the company’s innovations.