Intellectual Property Strategy Research Articles

Navigating protection mechanisms and innovation models: A literature-based configurational framework of intellectual property strategies

This study constructs a configurational framework to examine the complex relationships of factors influencing firms' mechanisms in intellectual property (IP) protection within the dichotomy of open and closed innovation models. Our methodology synthesizes an extensive literature review to identify and explicate four configurations of intellectual property and innovation strategies: open/formal, open/informal, closed/formal, and closed/informal. These configurations reflect the multifaceted decision-making firms face in aligning their innovation models with suitable IP mechanisms. By integrating factors such as industry sector, innovation nature, market dynamics, and legal context, we offer a comprehensive framework that captures the strategic considerations of intellectual property management, highlighting the importance of various factors in shaping firms' protection and innovation decisions. Our findings propose a nuanced understanding of IP strategy selection, setting the stage for future empirical investigations to test and refine this framework across diverse industries and markets.

The coevolution of corporate capabilities in intellectual property management and technological innovation

PurposeIn this study, we investigate how capability in managing intellectual property may be treated as a type of “dynamic capability,” and we seek to understand how, when it is linked to the new technology development capability of a complex technological organization, these two types of dynamic capabilities may coevolve.Design/methodology/approachWe conducted a longitudinal empirical case study of Airbus, incorporating an abductive research methodology that required investigating theory and empirical data concurrently and iteratively. The data, ranging over a period of two decades from 2000 to 2021, was collected from four different sources, including interviews, internal company documents, publicly available information and patent data.FindingsOur main findings are that the capabilities and roles of the Intellectual Property function in Airbus and their interaction with the company's Technology function have indeed influenced the overall innovation strategy of the organization, and that three coevolutionary phases may be identified in the interactive development of the two functions.Research limitations/implicationsOur investigation into how new technology development and intellectual property (IP) management capabilities coevolve within complex technological organizations, exemplified by Airbus, provides significant theoretical and practical implications. Theoretically, it enhances understanding of capability co-development dynamics in complex organizations, particularly in strategic IP management. Practically, it suggests aligning IP strategy with overall corporate objectives and optimizing organizational structures to promote collaboration and efficiency across IP and technology teams. This alignment may foster innovation, maximize the value of intellectual assets and strengthen collaborations, positioning organizations for long-term success in competitive landscapes.Originality/valueThis study makes a fresh contribution to the innovation studies literature by showing how if intellectual property management is treated as a core function of a complex technological organization – rather than simply as a vehicle for protecting new inventions and products after the fact or simply as a constituent part of the organization's legal function – it may contribute proactively to the organization's technological innovation performance. We also address the current gap in the academic literature for a clear understanding of the processes by which different function-specific dynamic capabilities may coevolve in a complex organization operating as part of a dynamic and complex adaptive system.

Overview, Concepts, Viewpoints to the Possibility of Legal Regulation of Artificial Intelligence Technology

The purpose of the study is to disclose the concept of "artificial intelligence", to outline the possibilities of legal regulation of AI. The article considers the studies of various authors, among which it is necessary to name P.M. Morhat, A. Romaglio, V.L. Entin. The scientific novelty of the work lies in the fact that the category of "artificial intelligence" is considered from the position of the legislation of the Russian Federation, as well as based on the opinion of domestic and foreign scientists. As a result, based on the comparative analysis of information contained in the works of various authors, regulatory legal acts of the Russian Federation, foreign judicial practice, it is concluded that representatives of the legal and scientific communities demonstrate the lack of consensus on the question of whether the units of artificial intelligence and neural networks can be subjects of copyright. A. Ramalho is convinced that AI units cannot be subjects of copyright, which is confirmed by the analysis of the following court decisions: Decision of the Court of Appeal of the Federal Court of Australia dated 13.04.2022, Decision of Shenzhen Nanshan District People's Court dated 24 December 2019. The opposing view is reflected in the Japanese "Intellectual Property Strategy Program 2016", which uses the following argument: it seems impossible to distinguish the product of AI units from human intellectual products. It is impossible to agree with this, as the images generated by neural networks often cause the "uncanny valley" effect in people; no neural network has been able to pass the Turing test so far.

Global Financial Investment Connectedness, ICT, and Intellectual Property Strategies: A Country-Level Empirical Analysis

This study investigated the direct and indirect impacts of financial investment connectedness and Information and Communication Technology (ICT) on countries’ intellectual property (IP) strategies. By utilizing the panel logit model on longitudinal country-level data, we found that countries’ positions in the global financial investment network significantly affect their IP strategies. Furthermore, ICT usage weakens the IP strategies’ reliance on global financial investment connectedness. This study is among the first to link financial investment connectedness and ICT to intellectual property strategy. The implications for governments managing financial investment portfolios and making intellectual property strategies are derived.

Natural Language Processing Patents Landscape Analysis

Understanding NLP patents provides valuable insights into innovation trends and competitive dynamics in artificial intelligence. This study uses the Lens patent database to investigate the landscape of NLP patents. The overall patent output in the NLP field on a global scale has exhibited a rapid growth over the past decade, indicating rising research and commercial interests in applying NLP techniques. By analyzing patent assignees, technology categories, and geographic distribution, we identify leading innovators as well as research hotspots in applying NLP. The patent landscape reflects intensifying competition between technology giants and research institutions. This research aims to synthesize key patterns and developments in NLP innovation revealed through patent data analysis, highlighting implications for firms and policymakers. A detailed understanding of NLP patenting activity can inform intellectual property strategy and technology investment decisions in this burgeoning AI domain.

Strategic management of intellectual property for technology as an object of civil law relations

Strategic management of intellectual property for technology as an object of civil law relations

The impact of intellectual property protection on the performance of fossil fuel extraction and production companies in developing countries

This paper seeks to evaluate how intellectual property (IP) influences the sustainable performance of Chinese companies involved in fossil fuel exploration and production. The study meticulously delineates specific variables aimed at advancing sustainability through strategic IP measures. Utilizing data spanning from 2010 to 2021 and employing the Cross-Sectionally Augmented Autoregressive Distributed Lag (CS-ARDL) approach, we reveal a nuanced relationship between innovation efficiency and energy costs. A mere 1% improvement in innovation efficiency corresponds to a 0.6% short-term and 0.4% long-term reduction in energy costs. Larger workforces contribute to increased energy consumption, investments drive energy-intensive processes, and profitability accelerates production, amplifying energy demands. Additionally, we uncover the adverse impact of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) expenses on energy costs, emphasizing the transformative potential of digitalization. To enhance sustainability, we recommend strengthening IP strategies, providing incentives for the commercialization of green patents, leveraging green financing, and adopting Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles to attract ethical investors. Equipping a skilled workforce through training programs facilitates the integration of eco-friendly technologies with intellectual property strategies.

Аудит інтелектуальної власності як складова процесу управління портфелем об’єктів інтелектуальної власності організації

The aim of the article is to define the essence of the process of auditing the intellectual property of an organization and to study its features in the context of business development. It is determined that the main purpose of an intellectual property audit is to collect information about what intellectual property (IP) has been created or acquired and what steps have been taken to protect it. It is also necessary to analyze the procedures for documenting and protecting intellectual property used in the enterprise. The main tasks of the intellectual property audit are noted as follows: inventory of all issued patents and patent applications pending consideration; cataloging license agreements; analysis of the consistency of the intellectual property strategy with the corporate strategy of the enterprise; cataloging documents related to previous litigation, disputes, analysis, or research; review of intellectual objects of property (IPO) portfolio management plans and the company’s policy on intellectual property strategy. The carried out research allowed to conclude that the implementation of the IP audit allows the management of the organization to determine the existing intellectual products, submitted applications and already received IPO, their commercial potential in the context of the organization’s development strategy. In addition, in accordance with the development strategy, the audit of the organization’s IPO allows you to determine the need to obtain external IPOs, as well as to review the strategy for managing the IPO portfolio. Prospects for further research in this direction are the development and improvement of methodological instruments for the process of auditing objects of intellectual property of an organization as a component of the process of managing the IPO portfolio.

Research on the Success Path of Disney in Media and Entertainment

Over the course of the last few years, there has been a discernible shift in both the media and entertainment industries. One company that has continually innovated over the course of its existence, Disney, is responsible for the production of a wide variety of high-quality goods and services. Over the past century and a half, Disney has grown primarily as a result of its commitment to diversification and a strong intellectual property strategy. These two factors have worked together to reduce the risks that the company is exposed to and to maintain Disneys position as the industry leader. This article investigates and contrasts the qualities that Disney and its competitors possess in a variety of fields, including amusement parks, television, and the film industry, among others. It has been suggested that in order for Disney to encourage future growth, the company should give priority to environmental sustainability as a way to cultivate a positive societal image, as well as retain and grow its fan base for a sustained income by gaining significant attention, supporting localized content, and embracing multi culture in areas where Disney has not yet entered. Additionally, Disney should give consideration to retaining and growing its fan base for a sustained income by gaining significant attention.

Integration Mechanism of Intellectual Property and Scientific and Technological Innovation from A Cross-domain Perspective: International Experience and Enlightenment

With the deepening of economic globalization and technological advancement, intellectual property and technological innovation have increasingly become pivotal elements driving economic growth and societal progression. A coupling relationship exists between intellectual property and technological innovation: technological advancement promotes the continuous evolution of intellectual property systems, while conversely, intellectual property stimulates technological innovation. By analyzing the intellectual property strategies characteristic of various nations, it is discerned that propelling technological innovation fundamentally depends on establishing a legal system and cultural environment conducive to incentivizing and safeguarding innovative outcomes. On the one hand, it's vital to ground strategies in the nation's realities. On the other, there's a need to incorporate the best from all sources, with an emphasis on indigenous innovation and applying these insights for national benefit, shaping an intellectual property legal framework with Chinese characteristics. Amid China's rapid development trajectory, the structure of its technological innovation chain manifests a "broad-middle and narrow-ends" configuration. The optimal remedy lies in delineating a developmental pathway for the intellectual property sector that aligns with China's unique circumstances. To elevate technological innovation, China ought to reinforce intellectual property education, establish an efficient operational model, intensify international collaboration and exchanges, ensuring the profound integration and symbiotic growth of intellectual property and technological innovation.

Non-singular Logics of Intellectual Property in Biomedical Innovation

Abstract The role of intellectual property in biomedical innovation is often construed by the source of its funding viz. public or private. While privately funded innovations are assumed to rely on intellectual property for monopolistic expansions and profit gains, publicly funded research is expected to serve the broader social good without proprietary constraints. In the light of the accumulating evidence over the last few decades, it is now understood that this causal narrative, appears simplistic. To gain a deeper understanding of innovation, whether profit-driven or socially oriented, it is crucial to examine the broader context of basic and translational research. This article investigates the management of intellectual property within two significant biomedical research funding organizations: the publicly funded United States National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the public-private-philanthropic partnership, the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI). The findings reveal that despite different claims about intellectual property strategies, these institutions exhibit similar practices influenced by the spectre of larger privatisation processes intrinsic to global market forces. This analysis suggests that a singular logic of one-size-fits-all approach to intellectual property is inadequate in promoting biomedical innovation for the greater public good.

Adjusting the Intellectual Property Strategy of a Public University Mexican R&D Institute for Harder Times Coming

The Intellectual Protection Unit of the Institute of Applied Sciences and Technology (ICAT) of the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) has been in existence for two decades. During its first fifteen years of life, the political and economic situation of the country, as well as the influence of innovation theories, guided university work, to promote the development and transfer of technology generated in higher education institutions, towards companies through the establishment of the triple helix formed by the efforts of the government, universities, and companies, all this to boost the economy and the well-being of society. As of 2018, with the advent of the Fourth transformation (4T) proposed, installed, and promoted by the new government, new austerity measures were implemented and many of the schemes used to license technological research and development were modified.Currently, a new federal government Law on Science, Technology, Humanities, and Innovation has been approved. It proposes intensifying austerity and controlling budgetary allocation to priority government projects with an intense tinge of social benefit.Taking advantage of the lessons learned during its previous years of performance, this paper proposes that the work of the ICAT R&D project management and linkage office should not fall into a situation of paralysis but rather adjust its management strategies to take advantage of the situation to fully fulfill its mission pursuing the increase the social impact of its results.

Trade secret protection and product market dynamics

We exploit the staggered state-level enactment of the Uniform Trade Secret Act (UTSA) to examine the impact of intellectual property (IP) protection on product market dynamics. We find that UTSA-impacted firms shift their IP strategy to rely more on trade secrets and less on patents. Less IP disclosure increases information asymmetry and rival firms must adapt their competitive strategies as espionage and reverse engineering become more costly. Predation risk increases, and rivals engage in more intense price and non-price competition. Additionally, we find the probability of being acquired increases post-UTSA as rivals seek to acquire innovation, resulting in more concentrated product markets. Further, we find that the stock market generally views UTSA favorably.

Intellectual property strategy and the governance of technological platform-driven global value chains: The case of Qualcomm

This study investigates the impact of intellectual property (IP) strategy on the governance of technological platform-driven global value chains (GVCs) using a case study of the collaboration between Qualcomm and Chinese smartphone manufacturers. Our findings are twofold. First, even when IP protection is inadequate or technological capabilities of IP users are weak, a well-designed IP strategy can allow a technological platform vendor (Qualcomm) to transfer knowledge to users in developing countries while still protecting their own IPs. Second, by reducing the platform and value chain’s modularity, a good IP strategy can encourage platform vendors to offer more innovation and learning opportunities along GVCs. We show there can be a significant mutual reinforcement mechanism included in an IP strategy that supports the co-evolution of platform vendors and a few selected users (OPPO, VIVO, and Xiaomi) with great potential for learning and innovation in GVCs.

New product development process and case studies for deep-tech academic research to commercialization

This research proposes a new product development (NPD) framework for innovation-driven deep-tech research to commercialization and tested it with three case studies of different exploitation methods. The proposed framework, called Augmented Stage-Gate, integrates the next-generation Agile Stage-Gate development process with lean startup and design thinking approaches. The framework consists of six stages and five gates and focuses on critical thinking to help entrepreneurs avoid psychological traps and make the right decisions. Early activities focus on scouting for potential socioeconomically impactful deep-tech research, developing a business case, market analysis, and strategy for problem–solution fit, and then, moving to a build–measure–learn activity with a validated learning feedback loop. Next, suitable exploitation methods are decided using weight factor analysis, developing intellectual property (IP) strategy, completing the university technology transfer process, and participating in fundraising. To pass each gate, the committee board members, consisting of tech, business, IP and regulatory, and domain experts, will evaluate the passing criteria to decide Go/No-Go. Applying the framework to the case studies results in successful university research commercialization. The model, case study, and lessons learned in this paper can be useful for other deep-tech incubator programs to successfully launch deep-tech research for commercialization. The case studies’ positive outcomes validate the Augmented Stage-Gate framework, yet their success is not entirely guaranteed due to external factors like regulatory constraints, entrepreneur characteristics, timing, and the necessary ecosystem or infrastructure, particularly in emerging markets. These factors should be taken into account for future research purposes.

Extracting Innovation Value from Intellectual Property: Evidence from sub-Saharan Africa

Although a sizable body of research concerning innovation and intellectual property (IP) performance exists, there has been limited attention on whether the state of IP strengthens or curtails innovation activity in the global south, specifically among sub-Saharan Africa firms. This article analyzes the direct impacts of IP on innovation performance in sub-Saharan Africa, namely patents, copyrights, industrial designs, and trademarks. The paper responds to firms extracting value from intellectual property strategies through innovation activities and overall performance. Using the World Bank Enterprise Survey (WBES) and Innovation Follow-up Survey (IFS), we find that appropriation channels are essential for transforming innovation pursuits into a competitive advantage. Our results further reinforce that appropriation mechanisms are crucial to innovation and may allow firms to gain returns on their innovation activities. Regardless of the weaknesses and limitations of the patenting strategy in sub-Saharan Africa, the probability of patenting an innovation relates to a process and product innovation while controlling for several other effects. More importantly, we demonstrate how industrial designs and improved or changed trademarks can foster inclusive performance. In addition, we show that beyond perception-based innovations, intellectual property strategies also matter to innovation intensity and sales growth. Consequently, our results indicate that the significance of innovation for competitiveness puts intellectual capital at the critical juncture of knowledge management.

Developments and Potential Management Issues of a Perennial Hot Selling Cut Flower Case

Purpose. The commercial life of cut flower varieties was generally considered to be as short as fashion. However, this study provides an example of a perennially popular cut flower variety that offers an alternative perspective on the potential of the cut flower market. Methods. Semi-structured interview and qualitative document analysis. Results. This article presents an analysis of the evolution of the cultivation and sale of a popular cut flower species over time. It also discusses the impact of a trading company on various stakeholders in the supply chain, as well as relevant business and legal considerations. Conclusions. This article highlights the importance of effective management of the Notification Letter, related agreements and intellectual property rights, taking into account the potential legal and business implications arising from the relevant transactions and statute of limitations. In addition, the article provides valuable insights for breeders and stakeholders seeking to establish identities for new plant varieties in markets, highlighting the importance of understanding the supply chain and implementing appropriate intellectual property strategies and portfolios, such as trademarks and plant variety rights, to facilitate business success.

How to integrate mechanical licences for video games in the United States, the United Kingdom and China

Mechanical licences are used in the music industry to permit publishers and songwriters to be paid for their work, and to allow musical works to be better shared. In recent years, video games have gained great economic and cultural importance, but they are at an increasing risk of becoming unplayable due to being often locked to specific hardware. Authorizing fans and content producers to use mechanical licences to remake their favourite video games would aid preservation efforts and serve as a reliable income source for original publishers. Conceptually, musical works and video games are similar enough to enable the mechanical licence scheme to be applied to games without many alterations to the legislation of the United States, United Kingdom and China. If adopted, this would ensure games do not get locked behind aggressive intellectual property strategies or get lost due to only being able to run on certain platforms.

Responsible intellectual property strategy for sustainability transition - An exploratory study

In this paper, we propose a responsible intellectual property (IP) strategy (R-IPS) framework based on five exploratory case studies of sustainable companies in energy, nutrition, consumer electronics, manufacturing and water treatment sectors. These companies responsibly use IP assets to create positive social and environmental impact (or reduce negative impact), and unlock new opportunities for financial (economic) gains. The extent to which firms today use IP rights such as patents and trademarks, and IP more broadly (including informal intellectual assets such as data and trade secrets, and contracts) as a strategic tool to facilitate sustainability remains to be understood better. More specifically, we need understanding of how companies could, or even should manage and use their IP more responsibly in these changing times during which transitions towards sustainable development are so thoroughly and urgently needed. The proposed framework defined using five dimensions namey deliberation/intention, sustainability IP alignment, flexibility and timing, inclusiveness, and co-creation can support managerial decision-making in formulating or re-designing IP strategies to increase organization's social and environmental impact, maximising their contributions (e.g. accelerating transitions) towards building sustainable economies.

Promote or inhibit? The effect of the whole chain development of intellectual property on manufacturing firm performance.

With the promotion of intellectual property strategy, the whole chain development of intellectual property environment faced by manufacturing firms has been improved, but the effect of the whole chain development of intellectual property on firm performance still needs to be studied. The purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of the whole chain development of intellectual property on different types of manufacturing firm performance. A panel regression model is constructed based on listed manufacturing firms from 2010 to 2020, and this is tested empirically. The results of the study show that the whole chain development of intellectual property has a promotion effect on manufacturing firm performance, among which the promotion effect of intellectual property services is the strongest, followed by intellectual property utilization and intellectual property creation, and the promotion effect of intellectual property management has a significant lag, while the relationship between intellectual property protection and manufacturing firms performance is significantly negative. The promotion effect of the whole chain development of intellectual property on different types of manufacturing firm performance is heterogeneous, and the promotion effect of the whole chain development of intellectual property on the performance of small-scale, non-state-owned, medium-high-technology manufacturing firms is stronger than that of large-scale, state-owned, low-technology manufacturing firms. This study not only extends the research direction of intellectual property, but also adds to the literature on firm performance. In addition, the findings of this paper help government authorities to further optimize the strategic layout of the whole chain development of intellectual property, promote manufacturing firms to solve internal management problems, and achieve a positive interaction between the top-level design of the intellectual property and the bottom-level logic of manufacturing firms.