For Inventors and Patent Review Committees (Relating to Idea Generation)

The following sections are included:Driving Force for Inventions — The Important Role Played by Portfolio ManagersCross-functional team collaborations are neededInnovation-driven IP strategy versus IP-driven innovationsJumping S-curve and finding the next disruptive technologyHow to Ensure High Patent QualityStep A — selecting and approving invention disclosuresTo do prior art search or notImplement pre-screening processStep B — drafting and prosecuting patent applicationsRecommended Methodology for Inventors and Patent CommitteeTo file or not to file?Is the patent office likely to grant a patent?Are others likely to use the invention significantly in the next 2-20 years?Deciding whether to file a patent applicationInventor and patent review committee checklistEffective First-Filing ApproachThe increasing international characteristics of IPFactors in selecting first-filing countryIdentification of inventor(s)Determination of the location where invention was madeOptimization of first-filing decisions under various scenariosTime period to obtain the permit of foreign filing license → file first in China provides an earlier filing date, but the disparity may be temporaryTime to grant → file first in US provides generally an earlier grant dateQuality of application drafting → file first in US generally yields a higher quality patent application draftingOther considerations such as overall portfolio managementConclusion — effective patent application first filing is important to your IP strategiesFirst filing strategy checklistWhether to Accelerate or Decelerate Your Patent ProsecutionAccelerationDecelerationComparison checklist — acceleration or deceleration of patent prosecutions