Third WIPO/INSME International Training Program Financing your business with Intellectual Property...

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Third WIPO/INSME International Training ProgramFinancing your business with Intellectual Property

Topic 2Acquiring your Intellectual Capital:

The relevance of an IP audit in your business strategy

Bob HodgsonZernike (UK) Limited

GenevaDecember 2010

ZERNIKE (

UK)

ZERNIKE (

UK)

First some simple definitions

Technology – is how we do things now

Knowledge – is what we already know

Innovation – is doing things differently

Science – is one of the main drivers of innovation

Development – is how we apply science to do useful things

Research – is what we do to find out what we currently do not know

Bob HodgsonGeneva 2010

ZERNIKE (

UK)

National competitive strategies and SMEs

Natural resource based: seen as second order but crucial to jobs and dependence

Labour surplus: productivity still an issue quality standards in products

Systems integration: rapid adoption and adaption source of innovation

Advanced technology: R&D driven leading edge commercialisation emphasis

Bob HodgsonGeneva 2010

ZERNIKE (

UK)

Alternate business strategies and intellectual capital

Lowest cost – efficiency savings for cost edge

Value performance – upgrading at acceptable cost

Most advanced – best performance driver

Greenest – lowest accredited footprint

Service +/- product – speed and responsiveness

Bob HodgsonGeneva 2010

All rely on knowledge and for some innovation is central

ZERNIKE (

UK)

Mismatches at different levels

National imperative - upgrading productivity and promoting innovation essential

Business level success is continuing to do right what you have always done – change is risky!

Competitiveness challenge: reconcile the two positions grow new higher value businesses improve existing businesses

Bob HodgsonGeneva 2010

ZERNIKE (

UK)

Real Economy: innovation engines

ARM – Advanced RISC Machines IP generator income from Licences and Royalties market cap - billions

Generics Group Plc – technology solutions provider IP accumulator and commercialiser – spinning out companies massive P/E ratio on flotation – hope value

Supported by specialist service providers

Bob HodgsonGeneva 2010

ZERNIKE (

UK)

The starting point: has it potential value

Who will buy or already buys my product/service?

What will they pay?

How many potential customers are there?

What will any innovation replace?

Will it work and how much will it cost to make?

Is it likely to be profitable?

Bob HodgsonGeneva 2010

ZERNIKE (

UK)

Communicating potential: investment readiness

Business plan

Market data and evidence

Communications skills

Differentiating the investment pitch

Cultivation of the risk takers

Bob HodgsonGeneva 2010

ZERNIKE (

UK)

Recognising what is there and what to be added

An IP audit to codify present technology

Identification and packaging

An IP search

Negotiation and acquisition

Bob HodgsonGeneva 2010

ZERNIKE (

UK)

Personnel and Intellectual Capital

Skilled people are the capital of the knowledge economy

Codified v tacit knowledge

Methods of protection: formal registration contract of employment equity share

Restrictions of trade?

Bob HodgsonGeneva 2010

ZERNIKE (

UK)

What are your Intellectual Capital Assets

Advanced technology – the archetypal IP candidate

Market credibility – trade marks and brand reputation

Production expertise – control and quality oriented

Product performance – incremental advances or radical changes

Bob HodgsonGeneva 2010

ZERNIKE (

UK)

Sources of technical and business innovation

Clients or customers 70% Competitors Internal sources Associations Technical standards 50% + Conferences/trade press Scientific journals Consultants Universities Government labs 20%

Bob HodgsonGeneva 2010

ZERNIKE (

UK)

Supply side perspectives

The inventor: the idea that will change the world – huge hope value and make me rich

The research institution: an output in its own right with weak commercial perspective

The commercial licence provider: revenue generating expectations tempered with restriction of own potential action

Alignment of risks and rewards clarity and competence of owners capacity to pay and to exploit position in market

Bob HodgsonGeneva 2010

ZERNIKE (

UK)

Valuation: the unresolved challenge

Easy – when there is a revenue stream

But even then worries about sustainability

Before the revenue stream it is much more uncertain

And is characterised by information asymmetries inventor knows the technology entrepreneur knows the market investor needs to independently evaluate both and then to reach a deal!

Bob HodgsonGeneva 2010

ZERNIKE (

UK)

Some additional limitations

IP system is not always applicable advanced engineering around F1 racing accumulated tacit knowledge

Commercial perspectives can cripple business Pro fit and its American licensee defence costs can overwhelm revenues all but a few USA universities spend more on IP than they receive

Bob HodgsonGeneva 2010

ZERNIKE (

UK)

Making the market work

Bob HodgsonGeneva 2010

Stimulating the supply side

Stimulating interest among MSMEs

Training brokers and agents

Educating fund managers

Ensuring quality implementation

Building the history

ZERNIKE (

UK)

Thank You

Bob HodgsonGeneva 2010

BOB HODGSONZERNIKE (UK) Ltd

The Grove High Street

SawstonCambridge

UKCB2 4HJ

0(044)1223 526980

bhodgson@zernikeuk.com

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