While most of us pay due consideration to a business’s present Intellectual Property worth, it is indeed very interesting to observe what benefits a residual IP value brings to the table. Let’s begin with Patents. It is noteworthy that patents have an average lifespan of 20 years after which the sought after technology falls into the public domain. Although the technology will be easily replicable once it falls in the public domain but the residual value attached to the technology in the form of brand trademarks, service marks, industrial designs, copyrights etc can continue to grab attention of the buyers globally. In addition to that, the brand reputation earned within a period of twenty years is enough to withhold active interest of the potential buyers.
One potential option of utilizing the residual value of your Intellectual Property is Licensing Out. This is also a viable option especially when you have clients ready to adopt the much reputed brand Trademarks of your expired patents. Although the patents have expired but the brand trademarks continue to be in force as long you renew them. Thereby imparting new business entrants a potential benefit to overcome barriers of entry by adopting these renowned trademarks through licensing deals. Similarly you may exercise other benefits of your residual IP associated with industrial designs and copyrights. At last to sum up, I would say although IP protection lasts within a stipulated period of time but the umpteen residual benefits associated with your intellectual property will be worthy enough to generate the moolah!
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