1. IP prediagnosis for SMEs WIPO INSME July the 12th 2006
Antoine RETY - INPI – Lyon - Head of regional branch

2. IP is becoming a major issue for SMEs
Statement : unsufficient and uncomplete use of IP by many SMEs in France
Impact : on competitiveness
Reasons : SME’s management methods, lack of strategy, prejudices against IP : costs, complexity, efficiency
Involvement : objective agreement , main priority = raising IP awareness among SMEs
Antoine RETY - INPI – Lyon - Head of regional branch

3. « IP prediagnosis » = a practical implementation
Linked with regional partnership agreements and with partners
Antoine RETY - INPI – Lyon - Head of regional branch

4. Target companies : Target
SMEs, i.e. companies with less than 250 employees
Little or no experience of IP (particularly patents : no patent filed in the last five preceeding years)
Involved in one field of technology
Antoine RETY - INPI – Lyon - Head of regional branch

5. Aim
Analysis of IP in its entirety, setting it in the general context of the Cy’s development and taking in consideration its future prospects and expansion
IP = including confidentiality, contracts, watching over patent and trademark information
Not a « technical » service neither a documentary search, nor a specific project’s analysis, nor the drafting of a contract
Antoine RETY - INPI – Lyon - Head of regional branch

6. Presentation A customised service
Prediagnosis report = usable according to the needs of the Cy and fitting it
A genuine diagnosis of the current state of the Cy
A prospective and comprehensive view, based on understanding the Cy’s targets and establishing advantages offered by IP in the Cy’s particular context and specific environment (emphasis on competitive advantages that can be created)
Recommendations and concrete acting means of action
Clear identification of available skills (resources, actors, costs, contacts)
Antoine RETY - INPI – Lyon - Head of regional branch

7. Duration : 1.5 day including
Presentation
Duration : 1.5 day including
preparation
discussion with the company manager, vsit of the premises/ plant
analysis and summary of the findings, draft of the report
Final oral and paper delivery to the Cy
This final phase = an ideal opportunity to discuss and expand on the action called for in the prediagnosis
Costs : 1,500 €, completly free of charge for the Cy
Antoine RETY - INPI – Lyon - Head of regional branch

8. Success factors Key to the success = creation of a pool of experts
INPI members (Regional Action Department, Patents Department)
A mandatory methodology training
A methodology guide (created by a group of the first trainees)
In a second time, recruitement of external experts : consultants, member from the ARISTs (specialised information and intelligence agencies of the Chambers of Commerce and Industry)
Reports (external or INPI expert) are proofread by an INPI expert.
Communication campaign
General communication (web site, flyers)
Networking : Regional Development Networks (« RDT »), Chambers of Commerce and Industry, French Innovation Agency (ANVAR)
Antoine RETY - INPI – Lyon - Head of regional branch

9. Results (July 2006) Industry Services Commerce
Number of diagnoses carried out
2004
2005
2006
270
464
500+
Benefitors :
Number of employees :
1 to 20
20 to 50
> 50
74%
14%
11%
Breakdown by sector of activity :
Industry
Services
Commerce
Others (food processing, building and works)
45%
34%
14% 7%
Antoine RETY - INPI – Lyon - Head of regional branch

10. Confidentiality (an undertaking is signed by both parties)
Difficulties
As a new initiative, small adjustments were necessary to improve it. To be mentioned :
Confidentiality (an undertaking is signed by both parties)
Positioning clearly IP prediagnosis as an awareness raising tool, distinct from a further paied patent attorney’s work
Paris area’s SMEs (Ile de France) are still under represented
Antoine RETY - INPI – Lyon - Head of regional branch

11. Perception and impact Perception and impact :
92% satisfied or very satisfied
88% have a better understanding of the importance of IP for them
56% initiated actions
* Representative sample of 100 Cies that benefited from the service in 2005
The satisfaction rate is quite the same for INPI or external facilitors
Antoine RETY - INPI – Lyon - Head of regional branch

12. Will to attract more and more « big » SME’s (more than 10 employees)
Conclusion
Prediagnosis = an effective tool to promote IP and to help business expansion
Stress on the competitivness poles (french clusters) recently organised / identified by the government
Partnership seeked with Regional Councils and professional organisations
Will to attract more and more « big » SME’s (more than 10 employees)
Antoine RETY - INPI – Lyon - Head of regional branch

13. Head of regional branch
Thank you
____________
Antoine RETY
INPI Lyon
Head of regional branch
43 rue Raulin
69007 Lyon
Tél :
Fax :
Mail :
Antoine RETY - INPI – Lyon - Head of regional branch