Build a prototype

Why should you build a prototype of your invention?

To see if it works and to demonstrate to potential clients or investors. Just be aware: A shown or demonstrated invention can no longer be validly protected by a patent...

So: Do not forget to first consider protecting your invention.

Subscribe to my newsletter for more on patents and inventions.

Can governments make exceptions on patent rights?

 Can governments make exceptions on patent rights?

The answer to this question lies in the regulations of the "trade related intellectual property" (TRIPS) addendum to the WTO treaty.

In the articles 30 and 31 therein, the possibility to set limited exceptions to a patent in force is indeed provided for. In article 30, governments can make exceptions, where for example the public interest weighs heavier than the interest of the patent holder. In article 31, governments can force licenses under certain patented products, again in view of the balance of interest between the public and the patent holder....

So in the end, the patent system is well prepared and designed for the exceptional case of for instance a deadly pandemic.... How cool is that!

For all of you patent holders, do not fear your patents become worthless. This situation is so exceptional that to my knowledge, never before since the draft of the WTO-TRIPS these exceptions have been used...

Yet that the possibility is incorporated in our legal patent framework, is really, really cool!

Subscribe to my newsletter for more on patents and innovation

Less than 1% is electrically driven

 135 years ago, Carl Benz obtained a patent on the first commercially available internal combustion engine driven car. Last year, in 2020 some 78 million motor vehicles have been produced, while the planet now knows some 1.4 billion registered motor vehicles...

Some 11 million registered vehicles on the planet are now powered with electrical power, still a little less that 1 per 100..... Yet, the number of electrically powered vehicles is growing exponentially. We are witnessing a massive technological shift...

It is fun to be alive in these times!

Subscribe to my newsletter for more on patents and inventions.

Do you need an IP strategy ?

Some days ago, a dear friend send me a text message, that only 5% of companies have some form of Intellectual property (IP). He also said that Mona Keizer was trying to boost that number.... Mona Keizer is our vice minister on economic affairs and in that role, she tries to raise the awareness on IP. Companies with IP have on average a substantively higher value. This finding is based on a recent European report on the Value of companies: "Intellectual property rights and firm performance in the European Union" A cool example of this value is reflected in the price of beschuit, a very Dutch type of double baked bread. The "no brand" Beschuit of the Spar supermarket costs 38 cents, while the strongly branded "Bolletje" costs 1,04 euro. Almost triple the pice for 13 of basically the same dry slices of double baked bread. That is what an IP strategy can do. people do believe so much in your brand, that they are willing and prepared to pay triple. Think about this when you consider an IP strategy for your company, IP may do you some good! Subscribe to my newsletter for more on patents and inventions. #patents #inventions #IPstrategy

Patents boost the value of your start up

In 2009, Donald Sadoway started the company Ambri as an MIT spin off. He left the institute with a vision, an idea and a patent on a new type of electrical power storage. That combination was sufficient to attract the capital to start and produce these batteries.

Now, some 12 years later, the first commercial scale batteries are being deployed. This technology may very well change the world of power generation and power storage. The reason he could attract sufficient capital was because he had his invention protected. Typically, the value of a start up is increased by on average 300,000 Euro if a patent is applied for. So if you are considering a technical start up, or raising capital in your tech company, do consider to patent your new technology. Patents may well be the key to your success. subscribe to my newsletter for more on patents and innovation.

#patents #invention #capitalraising

the invention of negative intrest rates

Last presentation, I was speaking about the widening gap between the low income group and the average costs of housing, be it the rental costs or the housing prices. This gap is leading in an increasing number of countries to civil unrest.

Now, there exists an invention that might solve this issue. This invention is not a patentable invention, yet it is still very neat. And,... very difficult to understand in its full effect. I just want to share this insight, please feel free to comment if you agree or, even more welcome, comment if you disagree.

The two major effects of negative interest rates are presented in the video. Please like and share if you think this is interesting!

If you want to hear more about inventions, the future and patents, sign in on my news letter, of which you find a link in the right hand side section!

#patents #innovatie #share

Top 10 redenen om octrooien aan te vragen; #7

Top 10 redenen om octrooien aan te vragen; #7

Reden nummer 7 om te overwegen octrooien aan te vragen. In deze presentatie kan je ontdekken waarom octrooien het aanzien van jouw bedrijf kunnen verhogen. Het aanzien van bedrijven kan door concurrenten, potentiële werknemers of overige derden worden ingeschat door op verschillende niveaus naar octrooien te kijken. Van een abstracte analyse die thuishoort in de boardroom van grote ondernemingen tot een zeer concrete bestudering van de uiteindelijke octrooitekst. In deze presentatie kan je ontdekken hoe die verschillende niveaus er praktisch gezien uitzien, en hoe je daar gebruik van kunt maken. Als voorbeelden laat ik de top 10 bedrijven zien, geef ik een voorbeeld van een landscape analyse, toon ik meer specifiek de activiteiten van Japanse batterijen-producenten en als laatste duik in twee voorbeelden die onze wereld in positieve zin drastisch kunnen gaan veranderen. Mocht jij vragen hebben, of bepaalde analyses willen laten uitvoeren, bel me dan. Je kan me bereiken op 06 481 74 686