Have you ever heard of ‘IP business matching’?
It is not always the case that a company creates its own original intellectual property rights. A company sometimes uses the licensable patents of other companies to develop new products. IP business matching is the creation of a new IP business by bringing together the seeds of companies holding unused patents and the needs of companies seeking patented technology that can be used to develop their own products.
For example, the Chubu Bureau of Economy, Trade and Industry has a guidebook on IP business matching on its website.
https://www.chubu.meti.go.jp/b36tokkyo/sesaku/chizai_businessmatching/matching_toppage.html (Japanese only)
An example of IP business matching was previously introduced in the program ‘Gogosumatching TV’ on CBC TV (a broadcaster in the Chubu region).
https://hicbc.com/tv/gogosumatchingtv/ (Japanese only)
Depending on the company using it, the basic technology of the same licensable patent may be used for a completely different product. It is also possible that a new invention may be created by combining the basic technology with another technology. Recently, IP business matching has attracted attention as a form of IP strategy.
Please contact our Firm for further information. (Conan)