Filing patent applications between now and March 2013, while the first-to-invent rules are still in place, can provide some significant benefits. Companies should proactively manage their intellectual property strategy to make the most of this opportunity.
Not all patent portfolios lead to headline-generating settlements or nine-figure M&A valuations, but intellectual property can be a critical asset for companies of all sizes, and is almost always a major focus in acquisition and licensing discussions. Any good IP program needs to include specific strategies to deal with the recent patent law changes.
Despite the complexity of recent patent reforms, there are plenty of concrete steps that companies can take to successfully navigate the America Invents Act's first-to-file rules.
