A recent study by EPO and EUIPO explores the relationship
between prior IPR activities of SMEs and the likelihood of
experiencing a high-growth period.
The purpose of the research was to investigate the following
questions:
- Can the filing of IP rights be used as a reliable predictor of
the likelihood that an SME will experience high growth?
- If so, what are the types of IPR strategies that perform best
as a signal of SMEs' growth potential?
Interestingly, the study found a correlation between prior IPR
activity of SMEs and the likelihood of experiencing high-growth
periods. However, as noted in the study: "this correlation should not
be interpreted as a direct causal effect: the mere filing of an IP
right is not sufficient to trigger growth, but it can signal a
firm's stronger ability to sustain growth through the creation,
protection and exploitation of intellectual assets".
