1. 1 Exploiting Patents Motivations for filing patents differ depending on size of a company. The most popular motivation to file patents is to protect against imitation. Source: “How SMEs Exploit their Intellectual Property Assets: Evidence from Survey Data” by Gaetan de Rassenfosse

2. 2 Freedom to Operate ICT companies often cross license their patents to each other, allowing each party to practice the other party’s patented inventions without threat of being sued. Microsoft has agreements with HP, IBM, Sun Microsystems, SAP, Siemens AG, Cisco, Autodesk Ability to negotiate cross licensing agreements and maintain freedom to operate is reason that many ICT companies file patent applications.

3. 3 Freedom to Operate Red Hat: leading open source technology provider. Red Hat has developed a portfolio of more than: 150 issued US Patents 200 pending US Patent Applications 50 pending PCT applications Red Hat developed portfolio so that they can preserve their freedom to operate. redhat.com - Red Hat Patent Policy

4. 4 Licensing Many ICT patent holders license their patents in exchange for royalties. Some patent owners sell the products they patent and see licensing as a way to increase the return on investment. Licensing is used as an additional form of income. Source: “How SMEs Exploit their Intellectual Property Assets: Evidence from Survey Data” by Gaetan de Rassenfosse; en.wikipedia

5. 5 Attract Investment Tribeka is an SME who manufacture, license and retail software. Agreements with over 200 brand name software publishers. SoftWide TM : software technology which allows customers to walk into a store, choose from almost any software product ever created and walk away with a secure software copy. Tribeka states: “Protecting our IP early in the process gave our investors a higher level of confidence in our ability to monetize on SoftWide TM and helped us to draw in partners to offer products….Their investment enabled us to hire the staff necessary to finish developing our technology and bring this innovation to market” Patenting Cost: 2.5% of R&D costs. source:wipo.int – case studies

6. 6 Patenting in ICT is a complex and dynamic area. The Patent legislation in every jurisdiction has its own subtleties. If uncertain – ask for advice.