Patent intelligence and business strategy

Patents are one of the major sources of technological and competitive information. Patent intelligence is vital for future business success. This paper addresses how patent intelligence can be used to make intellectual property strategy. Many patent analysis methods were used in experimental examples to illustrate worldwide innovation distribution, a competitor's relative patent strength therein and new application of core technology in other fields. This study provides business managers with basis of decision-making for R&D strategy and intellectual property strategy based on patent intelligence research in following sides: (1) Choice of IP strategies: whether to apply for a patent or protect as commercial/technical secret or register trademark. (2) Opportunity and type choices of applying for the patent. (3) International patent prosecution and marketing strategy. (4) Choice of patent strategies: including basic patent strategy, patents siege, patent transfer/licensing, cross-licensing, patent buy, combine patents with products or trademark, strategic use of patents in capital, technology and product output and transfusion strategy.   Key words: Intellectual property strategy, business strategy, patent intelligence, patent analysis.