John, the Chief IP Counsel of Wizwidget Inc., looks back with
fondness when the team secured patent rights to several innovations
that expanded their value and visibility.
Today, he feels defeated.
Maintenance of patent rights was always an afterthought. Now,
Wizwidget faces enforcement issues after accidently loosing rights
in a key jurisdiction due to a missed payment.
Don't be like John.
Three ways to maintain patents
John, like other patent holders, has three broad options to
maintain and manage patent rights. The choice is highly dependent
on factors such as the company resources, patent portfolio size,
and the extent of foreign filings.
- Personally Manage:
The individual patentee or internal dedicated person manages the
payment of all patent annuities and communication between
PTOs.
