Reasons for Patent Protection and Cost-effective Patent Filing Options for SMEs

Many innovative small and medium enterprises (SMEs) do not seek patent protection for their innovations, either because they are skeptical about the perceived benefits or wary of the perceived costs. However, by failing to protect their intellectual property with patents, they leave themselves expos...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Art Brion, Natalie Raffoul
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Carleton University 2011-12-01
Series:Technology Innovation Management Review
Subjects:
Online Access:http://timreview.ca/sites/default/files/article_PDF/RaffoulBrion_TIMReview_December2011_0.pdf
Description
Summary:Many innovative small and medium enterprises (SMEs) do not seek patent protection for their innovations, either because they are skeptical about the perceived benefits or wary of the perceived costs. However, by failing to protect their intellectual property with patents, they leave themselves exposed to attack by other patent holders. This article explores arguments for patent protection as well as filing options that can protract the patenting process while simultaneously reducing patenting costs. By choosing their patent application filings wisely, SMEs can keep their patenting options open for as long as possible while delaying costs.
ISSN:1927-0321