Innovation And Protection: A Note On Sovereign Patent Funds

Introduction

IPRs now form the most crucial assets determining the value and strategic orientation of innumerous global enterprises. With innovation having become a necessity for the ICT industry, patents encourage investors by granting exclusive rights, protect investments in research and development ("R&D"), and facilitate technology transfer through licensing agreements, making them fundamental to stimulating innovation and maintaining competitive advantage in global markets. However, it is no secret that the cost and complexity of acquiring and managing patents act as deterrents to smaller firms and entities from partaking and utilising this system. Particularly in sectors like telecommunications, which rely on interoperable technologies such as 5G, challenges include the prohibitive costs of filing, maintaining, and defending patents and the risk of patent assertion by non-practicing entities. Moreover, several patents remain 'dormant' owing to a lack of