When to License Technology or Patents – Strike When Your IP Is Hot

Some companies build their entire business on licensing. But most don’t.

Instead, most companies invest in developing technology and IP to power and back up their own products and services. Then licensing, specifically out-licensing, enters the picture only when something changes: the strategy, the product roadmap, or simply the realization that some assets aren't being used to their full potential. IP team is always tasked with IP protection and portfolio development, and this is where they will focus on. Monetisation may not be the core focus or the skill set of the IP team. When a company has more urgent priorities and licensing revenue isn’t yet embedded in strategy or linked to a concrete action plan, it’s the kind of task that gets postponed indefinitely.

And of course, if you hire people to protect IP, that’s exactly what they’ll focus on, protection, not monetisation. It’s understandable: when a company has more urgent priorities and licensing revenue isn’t yet embedded in strategy or linked to a concrete action plan, it’s the kind of task that gets postponed indefinitely.

This article isn’t about in-licensing (a universe of its own). It’s about the moment when a company should ask: Should we be licensing this out?

The Scenario: Assets with No Home

One of the most common triggers is that something of value was developed, but is no longer used internally. Think of technologies tied to discontinued products, or tools developed for internal use that others might find useful. These assets just sit there, protected by IP, costing money to maintain, yet creating no value.

That's your signal. But it’s not the only one.

In turbulent times, companies increasingly ask how to generate new revenue and make better use of their R&D investments. A structured look at your IP portfolio and technology landscape; what you have, who else is using similar technologies and where adoption is heading, can surface real opportunities to create licensing income.

Sometimes licensing is sparked by outside interest. Another company wants to use your technology. But more often, licensing is driven internally by the realization that there’s untapped value in the portfolio.

Why License?

At its core, out-licensing is about revenue or relationships.

• Revenue provides both reward and reinvestment for innovation.

• Partnerships and ecosystems can grow usage, reinforce your competitive position, or enable joint IP monetization.

In some cases, collaboration with other IP holders can strengthen the collective position and bring more returns for everyone involved.

Timing Is Everything

Too early and there’s nothing to license. The technology isn’t proven or complete enough to be valuable. Nobody is using it yet. The pitch to licensees isn’t compelling.

Too late and the value is gone. In patent licensing, expiry plus the tail for past damages defines your deadline. In technology licensing, the value may last longer—if you’re continuously developing the technology and bundling trade secrets, know-how, or other non-expiring assets.

The sweet spot is when the technology is usable, protected and aligned with current or emerging market needs.

Common Missteps

• Underestimating value: Companies often think licensing is too hard, too costly, or not worth it. Sometimes it isn’t, but a strategic review will give a real answer.

• Overestimating value: Creators of the technology may believe it’s uniquely brilliant. The market may disagree. Landscape analysis helps avoid heartbreak (and wasted effort).

Does This Work in My Industry?

Most likely, yes. Licensing happens in every sector. But it’s especially visible in industries built on shared standards and interoperability, like connectivity, automotive, IoT, streaming and consumer electronics.

Is a Patent Needed?

That depends. Many software or technology licenses work without patents, relying instead on know-how, trade secrets, or code.

But patent licensing is often simpler. It can be based on a clearly defined legal right: a specific patent or set of patents. Unlike in technology licensing, there’s no need to negotiate issues like ownership of improvements, development responsibilities, or transfer of know-how.

What’s more, having patent protection makes it easier to find a licensee, especially for non-core assets. If you're offering a patent license, it's easier for the licensee to evaluate, adopt and justify the deal with patent involved. In contrast, licensing unprotected software, trade secrets, or know-how, especially if they're non-core, often raises questions of risk, enforceability and competitive advantage.

What Makes Something Licensable?

Simply put, a technology is licensable when:

• It has value,

• It’s defined and transferable,

• It’s usable by others,

• And it’s protected, legally and/or practically.

Why would anyone pay for something that not valuable or usable, or which they can use for free?

What Kind of Culture Supports Licensing?

Licensing requires risk tolerance and long-term vision. Revenue doesn’t appear overnight. In some cases, licensing includes enforcement and not every company is ready for that. But whether you enforce or not, you signal to the market what kind of IP owner you are. That perception matters.

Licensing vs. Selling

Licensing can be slower, but you retain ownership and upside. Selling is quicker, but the price reflects the buyer’s risk and discounts future value. One isn’t better than the other. The best path depends on your strategy, your timeline and your capabilities.

Where to start?

If you’re reading this and wondering whether your company has something licensable, it probably does. Licensing starts with awareness. It doesn’t require a perfectly packaged opportunity, just a willingness to review what’s already there. That review doesn’t need to be complex or expensive, but it does need to happen. Whether you talk to a trusted advisor, an experienced licensing partner, or even someone in your own network who’s seen this before, make the conversation happen. Good licensing strategies don’t start with forms. They start with people asking the right questions.

Dare to Look Around and See the Opportunities

Licensing is a way to make your IP work harder. It’s not always the right path, but it’s always worth asking the question: Do we have something of value that others would pay for?

That’s when licensing becomes tangible.

Building the Future of LESI Together!

This article was originally published as a LESI Member letter at April 17, 2025.

Dear LESI Members, Dear Friends

As we approach the end of my presidency, it is time to reflect on our collective achievements and set our sights on the future we are building—together. This year has been nothing short of transformational—for LESI as an organization, and for me personally.

With the adoption of our new Vision and Mission and the establishment of clear priorities, we have empowered the entire LESI community to move forward with shared purpose: to raise our visibility, engage members and stakeholders, and strengthen our financial foundation through a diversified funding model.

I truly believe we have elevated LESI to a new level—both in how we are seen externally and in how we communicate who we are, what we do, and how we collaborate. We’ve established LESI as a global focal point in the conversation around commercialization and IP. Our communications are now more structured, consistent, and professional, with national societies actively leveraging both our new website and their own channels. Many of our members are recognized as thought leaders in their fields. LES Nouvelles continues to serve as a respected platform for expert insight, and our LES-branded training programs have gained significant momentum.

This boost in visibility is the result of shared effort and dedication from across the organization—and it’s something we must continue to build on.

Increased Engagement

Over the past year, we’ve also worked hard to engage and activate our members and stakeholders, with a clear emphasis on bringing in industry voices. I have received an outpouring of positive feedback from our industry partners who value the networking, insights, and thought leadership LESI provides. Today, LESI is where it should be: at the heart of industry-relevant dialogue. We’ve earned this role by listening to the needs of our industry stakeholders and providing a balanced, impartial platform for vital discussions.

Our industry meetings in Madrid, Beijing, Santiago, and São Paulo, as well as successful industry delegation visits to China and Brazil, have validated our working model and attracted new in-house experts and companies to LESI. These connections are not one-off encounters—they represent growing expectations and a call for us to continue delivering high-value engagements.

Increased Collaboration

Beyond industry, we’ve also deepened collaboration with key global stakeholders. As an international top-tier professional organization, LESI has strengthened its partnerships with WIPO and the EPO. The High-Growth Technology Business (HTB) program with the EPO continues to support SMEs across Europe. And in partnership with WIPO, along with the Chilean and Brazilian Patent Offices (INAPI and INPI), we launched the LATAM IP Summit—a two-week initiative that brought together diverse players in the region’s innovation ecosystem. A Memorandum of Understanding with the Brazilian PTO is now laying the foundation for a long-term action plan.

In March, we proudly released the Special Edition of LES Nouvelles on Standard Essential Patents (SEPs). This edition brought together leading voices from business, law, and policy to provide a balanced and insightful perspective on a critical topic in the IP landscape. This edition was widely recognized and valued. Going forward, our newly formed SEP Committee will coordinate international SEP-related initiatives and keep LESI at the forefront of this important conversation.

Increased Sponsorship

Our growing visibility and stronger engagement have not gone unnoticed. We’ve attracted new sponsors at both the global and national levels and laid the groundwork for long-term partnerships through initiatives like our Thought Leadership Program and LES Nouvelles. These efforts are beginning to generate sustainable funding for LESI—funding that will enable us to fulfill our mission for years to come.

As we look to the future, I want to emphasize the importance of continuity. The momentum we have built this year is not an endpoint—it is a strong foundation for what comes next. I deeply appreciate President-Elect Jean-Christophe Troussel’s and the next in-coming President Elect Ningling Wang’s commitment to continuity and their strategic approach of planning LESI’s activities on a rolling three-year basis. This ensures that our efforts don’t exist in isolation, but as part of a larger, thoughtful journey toward long-term impact. I am confident that under their leadership, LESI will continue to grow and thrive.

Finally, I want to offer my heartfelt thanks to each and every one of you. Your encouragement, your participation, your trust—it has meant the world to me. Without your support, I would not have succeeded in this role. Together, we’ve built something meaningful. Serving as your President has been one of the greatest honors of my professional life, and I look forward to continuing to serve LESI in the years to come.

With gratitude and optimism,

Sonja London

President

LES International 2024-2025

Driving Industry of Innovation: How LESI Creates Opportunities for Technology and IP-Heavy Sectors

In industries where intellectual property (IP) and technology are the lifeblood of innovations such as high-tech, pharmaceuticals, automotive, IoT, electronics, chemicals, and energy—the effective management and strategic use of IP assets can make or break success. The Licensing Executives Society International (LESI) has long recognized this and is committed to empowering these industries through its global network, professional development opportunities, and thought leadership.

LESI isn’t just a professional organization; it’s a platform where industry players can access high-quality training, build vital networks, connect to decision makers and thought leaders and stay connected to the rapidly evolving world of IP.

Empowering Industries Through Knowledge and Training

For technology-driven and IP-heavy industries, staying ahead of the curve is essential. LESI provides a variety of professional development programs tailored to meet these demands, including online and in-person training sessions under its Thought Leaders Program. Several national and regional LES societies provide more local and topical training, some also eligible for local certifications.

Many companies have recognized the value LESI offers by sending entire teams to LESI events and conferences. These events are designed to provide actionable insights into IP strategy, licensing, and commercialization, ensuring that businesses can apply best practices in their industries. I have personally heard that attending a LESI conference once a year keeps the team’s thinking international and fresh. In emerging businesses, access to training and creating connections to other industry players is greatly supported by LESI conferences.

Moreover, LESI’s flagship publication, les Nouvelles, delivers in-depth articles on industry-relevant topics. For example, the upcoming March 2025 issue will spotlight Standard Essential Patents (SEPs), a critical area for industries like telecommunications, consumer electronics, IoT, and automotive. This focus highlights LESI’s dedication to providing members with cutting-edge information directly applicable to their fields.

Building a Strong Peer and Expert Network

LESI’s global network offers more than just training—it creates opportunities to connect with the best experts and decision-makers in the industry. Members have shared how LESI helped them quickly find top-tier professionals to address challenges or explore new ventures. LESI connects industries working with commercialization of IP – this includes various sectors from IP management tools to litigation funding, from AI to competition law.

For industries where collaboration is key, the ability to pick up the phone and connect with an expert in any part of the world is invaluable. Beyond this, LESI fosters peer networks among industry leaders and decision-makers. Maintaining relationships with these peers can lead to new partnerships, insights, and opportunities for innovation.

Additionally, LESI connects members with non-governmental organizations, regulators, and other influential entities. These connections are essential for industries that need to maintain dialogue with their stakeholders, navigate complex regulatory landscapes or align with global standards.

Industry-Focused Initiatives

During my term as LESI President (2024–2025), I have placed particular emphasis on engaging with industries. LESI is more industry-friendly than ever, thanks to initiatives designed to meet the specific needs of technology and IP-driven businesses.

• Thought Leaders Program: Offers practical, high-quality training and workshops on cutting-edge topics, both online and in person.

• Industry Discussion Events: Facilitated conversations tailored to address pressing issues in sectors like high-tech, consumer electronics and SEPs. These events bring together industry leaders to share insights and foster collaboration. These events are core part of our Annual Conferences and additionally organized around the various local LES events.

• Focused Content in les Nouvelles: LESI’s quarterly journal regularly features articles that resonate with industry professionals. The March 2025 issue, for example, will cover SEPs, offering a deep dive into a subject critical for many LESI members’ industries.

• Innovation Award: Over several years the LESI Innovation Trends committee has given out Innovation Awards to recognize successful IP commercialization through various business models and various forms of IP. This prestigious award has received record number of proposals this year, show-casing the attraction through several industries.

These efforts are part of a broader strategy to ensure that LESI remains a valuable resource for industries relying on IP and technology.

LESI: A Platform for Industry Success

In a world where innovation drives growth, LESI provides an unmatched platform for industries to thrive. We are an impartial, non-political and independent organization. From training and thought leadership to networking and collaboration opportunities, LESI equips its members with the tools they need to succeed in technology and IP-heavy sectors.

During this time of rapid change, staying connected with a peer network of decision-makers and tapping into LESI’s resources can make a significant difference for individuals and entire organizations. For industries looking to innovate, grow, and lead, LESI is a key partner on that journey.

Whether you’re an industry leader, decision-maker, or part of a team looking to enhance its expertise, LESI offers opportunities to grow and succeed. With a focus on industry engagement, LESI is helping businesses to fully use their potential in today’s IP-driven world.

Power of LES Committees – Why They Are Remarkable and Why Should You Join?

Are you curious about how global innovation thrives? Ever wonder who shapes the frameworks and conversations that drive intellectual property (IP) forward? Let’s talk about LES Committees, the backbone of Licensing Executives Society International (LESI). These dynamic groups are more than committees; they are communities of passionate professionals reshaping the way we think about IP, licensing, and technology.

What Do LES Committees Do?

LES Committees are hubs of innovation, collaboration, and thought leadership. Covering diverse areas—from life sciences to artificial intelligence, technology transfer to IP valuation—they cater to various industries and professional practices. Here’s how they make an impact:

1. Knowledge Sharing: Committees organize webinars, publish articles, and create resources like reports and guides. For instance, the Tech Transfer Committee’s “Termsheet Hackathon” brings practical insights into licensing agreements, blending creativity with expertise. You can experience it in our Annual Conference in Singapore!

2. Driving Global Collaboration: Committees like the Asia-Pacific Committee foster cross-border dialogue by connecting IP leaders and industry giants from countries like China, Japan, and Australia to exchange ideas on AI, data, and patent commercialization.

3. Advancing Social Goals: Committees like the SDG-IP Index Committee highlight companies contributing to Sustainable Development Goals, showcasing how IP can align with environmental and social responsibility.

4. Shaping Future Trends: The Innovation Trends Committee anticipates changes in IP frameworks, focusing on emerging areas like AI licensing and traditional knowledge systems. They decide who will achieve the prestigious LES Innovation Award.

Why Is It Great to Be Involved?

1. Global Networking Opportunities: Imagine connecting with top experts from leading companies in your field. Whether through committee meetings, projects, webinars, conferences, or roundtables, LES Committees offer unparalleled access to global leaders in IP and licensing.

2. Skills Development: for example, the Women in Licensing Alliance (WILA) empowers members with mentorship programs and leadership workshops, helping participants excel professionally. WILA has earlier promoted a mentoring program and is actively role modeling women in IP leadership.

3. Making an Impact: LESI Committees tackle real-world challenges. For example, the Dispute Resolution Committee explores cutting-edge topics like FRAND disputes and the Unified Patent Court’s impact on global litigation strategies.

4. A Platform for Creativity: From innovative panel discussions to landmark publications, LES Committees enable members to explore and implement creative solutions. The Life Sciences Committee's collaboration on AI and smart cities for our Singapore Annual Conference is a prime example.

Why Join an LES Committee?

If you’re a professional in IP, licensing, or technology, LES Committees are your gateway to professional growth, global influence, and impactful innovation. Membership gives you access to:

• Exclusive knowledge-sharing events

• Collaborative opportunities with leaders worldwide

• A chance to shape the future of IP management

The beauty of LES Committees lies in their diversity and the passion of their members. Together, they ensure that the IP ecosystem continues to innovate and evolve.

Interested in joining? Visit LESI.org and discover how you can be part of this vibrant community. Let’s shape the future of IP together!

Building Connections and Expertise: How LESI Helps IP Professionals Succeed Globally

In today’s fast-changing global economy, the effective management and commercialization of intellectual property (IP) is more important than ever. The Licensing Executives Society International (LESI) plays a leading role in this space, providing valuable resources and opportunities for its members. LESI’s mission is clear: “to enable a global, collaborative, and generous community, advancing the commercialization of intellectual assets to bring creativity and innovation to the market, improving lives everywhere.”

Professional Development and Learning

LESI is deeply committed to supporting the professional growth of its members. Through various educational programs, workshops, and conferences, members gain access to the latest knowledge and best practices in IP management and licensing. One of its standout offerings is les Nouvelles, a quarterly journal filled with detailed articles, analysis, and expert commentary on topics ranging from licensing to technology and IP. Many members value this publication as one of the greatest benefits of their membership.

LESI also organizes a range of events, including its Annual Conference and regional meetings like the Pan-European and Pan-Asian Pacific conferences. These events help members stay informed about key trends and developments in the world of IP.

Sharing Knowledge and Volunteering

At its core, LESI fosters an environment where members collaborate, share knowledge, and give back to the professional community. The society operates through various committees, including Industry committees (e.g. Patent and Technology Licensing), Professional committees (e.g. Education), and Regional Committees (e.g. Asia Pacific and European), as well as initiatives like the Young Members Congress (YMC) and the Women in Licensing Alliance (WILA).

These committees handle a wide range of activities: creating and curating content for LES events worldwide, collaborating with public bodies and other organizations, researching important licensing topics, developing educational materials and providing training, and even providing input to legislative and regulatory bodies.

LESI encourages its members to volunteer in these initiatives, which allows them to grow their leadership skills, broaden their knowledge, make meaningful contributions to the global IP field and be recognized as thought leaders.

Building Meaningful Professional Networks

One of the greatest benefits of LESI membership is the opportunity to build a strong professional network. With 33 national and regional societies and over 6,500 members across more than 90 countries, LESI provides unique access to a worldwide community of IP professionals across industries.

Members can connect with peers, mentors, and industry leaders using LESI’s international directory. Whether through in-person conferences, online forums, or virtual events, LESI provides plenty of opportunities to establish valuable professional relationships that often last a lifetime. In the era of social media these trusted professional connections really make a difference.

On the LESI website, many members have shared how LESI has helped them connect with leading professionals and stay updated on cutting-edge issues in licensing and IP. Speaking from personal experience, I have found that building an international professional network has been one of the most valuable outcomes of being part of LESI. When working in an international setting, it is incredibly useful to know expert people around the world. If I need advice or help in any region, I can simply make a call and immediately connect with the best professionals in the field.

A Window to the World for National Societies

LESI not only supports individual professionals but also serves as a bridge between national societies and the global IP landscape. Acting as a window to the world, LESI connects local societies to international activities, helping them develop from local to global influence and expanding their members’ network of opportunities. LESI provides a platform for cooperation, enabling national societies to participate in international initiatives while supporting their outreach efforts at home. By fostering collaboration and offering resources, LESI helps national societies strengthen their impact and better serve their members.

Global Membership Program

LESI also offers tailored programs to meet the specific needs of multinational organizations. The Global Membership Program, for example, allows companies to provide LES membership benefits to their employees globally under a single annual fee.

This initiative connects teams to LES’s expansive network and ensures they have access to the latest resources, educational events, and networking opportunities. It also removes the hassle of managing separate memberships in different regions, making it a practical choice for large organizations.

A Global Community for IP Professionals

In a world where intellectual property drives innovation and economic success, LESI offers an unparalleled platform for IP professionals to thrive. Whether through its focus on professional development, knowledge-sharing opportunities, volunteer activities, or global networking, LESI provides members with the tools they need to succeed in their field.

Joining LESI means becoming part of a global community that is dedicated to advancing the business of intellectual property, promoting innovation, and ultimately making a positive impact worldwide.

Visit lesi.org to learn more about how LESI can help you grow professionally and connect with like-minded experts.

President’s Message to LESI Global News

This article was published in the LESI Global News VOL 1 2025.

The Momentum is Building!

Dear LESI Members,

As we move into the fourth quarter of my presidency, I am excited to share the remarkable progress we have made together as a global community and highlight the path ahead. This year has been demonstrating the power of collaboration and living through our Vision and Mission. I want to celebrate the achievements we’ve accomplished so far while reinforcing the priorities that will drive us toward a successful conclusion of this term.

In alignment with our LESI Vision and Mission, we have made progress on the three priorities set for this society year: Raising Visibility Globally, Engaging and Activating Members and Stakeholders, and Driving a Diversified Funding Model.

1. Raising Visibility Globally Our efforts to enhance visibility are yielding tangible results. Through a multi-channel approach—including social media, on-line webinars, our renewed website, the Global News, les Nouvelles magazine, our visible conferences, strategic partnerships and even visible individual members —we have expanded our reach and strengthened our presence worldwide.

Many of our committees are using this approach and build value for our members by arranging online webinars and creating articles as follow-up. Our national societies are actively reporting their events in the global news and social media. Several individual members, including myself, are communicating about our events, causes and activities. Social media channels are being established by national societies who did not have them, and those who have, are more actively present. All these efforts demonstrate that we can communicate more and  build value for our members. After all, everyone wants to be part of something people talk about.

LESI board and a few individuals active in the social media are making a “tips and tricks” guideline for social media presence to help our national and regional societies in building their on-line presence in social media. I expect this to be ready for use early next year. Another significant effort of communication and visibility during my term, is to create a special issue of LES Nouvelles on the field of Standard Essential Patents (SEPs). This landmark must-read of the topic will be available in March and will be a printed handout in our Annual Conference in Singapore.

2. Engaging and Activating Members and Stakeholders This year, we have focused intensely on strengthening our engagement with industry professionals, members, and partners. Industry-specific invited meetings, such as those held at our Annual Meeting in Madrid, in LES Benelux and in LES China Annual Conferences, have received overwhelmingly positive feedback. One of key value items for our industry members is to be able to network and build relatioships to other industry leaders. We have worked hard to create a balanced and neutral non-profit platform for industry discussions and sharing. These initiatives are creating a more inclusive and industry-friendly LESI that benefits not only businesses but also academia, research institutions, and expert service providers.

A significant milestone in this effort was our industry delegation visit to Beijing, China, where we engaged with key authorities and attended the LES China Annual Meeting. We were able to bring together industry leaders from China and across the world for joint discussion. This initiative not only amplified LESI's visibility but also fostered valuable connections with LESI and industry leaders in the region.

Building on this success, we are now preparing for similar engagements in Latin America, particularly in Chile and Brazil. In collaboration with local patent offices and WIPO, these efforts will further expand our global network, enabling meaningful cross-border collaborations and positioning LESI and our members as a key players in the global IP ecosystem. This engagement is a concrete action continuing the collaboration under the work plan LESI made together with WIPO in October 2024. Finally, I expect our Singapore Annual Conference to role model the industry-friendliness through the diverse and top-notch program, practical workshops and industry visits.

Looking ahead, I encourage all members and national societies to leverage our global connections and opportunities and share your expertise and insights to help us further grow as a global community.

3. Driving a Diversified Funding Model We have made progress in securing partnerships that provide sustainable value beyond our annual conferences and membership fees. The continued success of the Thought Leadership Program for the third year in a row exemplifies this approach, offering high-quality, curated webinar and live content with our partners while generating income to support our goals. We are piloting new partnership opportunities that carry out collaboration for longer term than just one conference at a time. This will enable building more strategic relationships and offer value and insight for members and collaboration platform for our partners. These initiatives are essential for ensuring our resilience in an ever-changing landscape.

Looking Ahead to Singapore 2025 All of these efforts are building momentum for our much-anticipated Annual Conference in Singapore in April 2025. This event will be a celebration of what we have achieved and a great opportunity to set the course for the future success of LESI. It will also mark the conclusion of my term as president, and I am eager to see the culmination of our collective efforts come to life at this landmark event.

I warmly invite each of you to join us in Singapore and to contribute to the success of this important gathering. Your participation is vital to making this conference an inspiring and memorable experience for everyone involved.

Together, let’s continue to push boundaries, strengthen connections, and drive LESI forward as the global leader in intellectual asset management.

#LESisMore

At Your Service, Sonja London President of LESI 2024-2025

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Enhancing IP Monetization with Advanced Technologies: A Strategic Approach

By Sonja London and Vijay Khatri. This article was originally published as a blog in Evalueserve website in December 2024 : IP Monetization with Technologies | IP and R&D Evalueserve

Monetizing intellectual property (IP) can be a significant opportunity for businesses to generate revenue and strengthen their market position. However, many organizations need help, from identifying suitable buyers to navigating complex licensing agreements. With advancements in technology, particularly artificial intelligence (AI), these challenges can be managed more efficiently, enabling organizations to make more out of their IP portfolios and enhance IP Monetization.

Challenges in IP Monetization

Monetizing IP involves several interconnected challenges that can make progress slow and reduce efficiency:

1. Identifying Suitable Buyers or Licensees. Finding the right partners requires accurate market insights. Traditional methods often fall short, leaving businesses needing guidance about who to approach and how to structure deals. The challenge of identifying the right partners is furthermore significant in new technologies such as Blockchain.

2. Determining IP Value. Valuing patents or other IP assets is a nuanced process that involves technical, legal, and market factors. Missteps in valuation can lead to underpricing or missed opportunities.

3. Navigating Licensing Agreements. Setting up licensing agreements requires careful consideration, particularly for joint, cross-licensing, or agreements involving standard-essential patents (SEPs). Misaligned expectations or unclear terms can lead to disputes or inefficiencies.

4. Lengthy Processes. Due diligence, legal reviews, and contract negotiations can stretch timelines, making it harder for businesses to act quickly and capitalize on opportunities.

These challenges highlight the need for more efficient strategies and tools that address the complexities of IP monetization.

Practical Strategies for IP Monetization

Organizations have several options for generating revenue from their IP, each tailored to different goals and resources:

1. Direct Sales

Selling patents or other IP assets outright can provide immediate financial returns. Startups or research institutions often use this approach to raise funding to support other priorities. Patent sales are an essential option to explore before dropping patents because of their low value or because the patent(s) are not aligned with the company’s focus.

2. Licensing Agreements

Licensing allows businesses to maintain ownership of their IP while generating ongoing revenue. Common licensing models include:

• Exclusive Licensing: Grants a single licensee the right to use the IP, often in exchange for a significant fee.

• Non-exclusive licensing: Enables multiple licensees to use the same IP, creating broader revenue streams.

• Royalty-based agreements are common in industries like biotechnology and software, where payments are tied to sales or usage metrics.

• Cross-Licensing: Often used in technology sectors, this involves exchanging rights to use one another’s IP.

3. Technology Transfer

This involves transferring IP from research organizations or universities to businesses, enabling the commercialization of innovations. Technology transfer agreements often include licensing terms or outright sales, depending on the stakeholders’ goals.

Each approach requires a well-planned strategy to balance risks and rewards effectively.

The Role of AI in Modern IP Monetization

AI is becoming integral to IP monetization, helping organizations address traditional challenges while uncovering new possibilities. Here are some ways AI is making an impact:

• Identifying Market Opportunities

AI tools can analyze vast datasets to identify trends, potential licensees, or markets where IP might have the most value. This insight helps organizations make informed decisions faster.

• Improving Portfolio Management

Automated classification systems powered by AI streamline the organization and prioritization of IP assets. This reduces manual effort and ensures that high-value assets are noticed.

• Supporting Valuation

AI can enhance valuation processes by analyzing historical data, market conditions, and legal precedents to estimate an IP asset’s worth more accurately.

• Evidence of Use (EoU) Analysis

AI tools can identify instances of unauthorized usage or potential infringement, creating opportunities for licensing or enforcement actions.

• Enhancing Technology Transfer

AI helps bridge the gap between research institutions and commercial entities by identifying innovations with strong market potential and facilitating connections with interested parties.

By integrating AI into monetization, businesses can streamline workflows, reduce risks, and allocate resources more effectively.

Building a Framework for IP Monetization

The value of AI lies in its ability to bring greater clarity and efficiency to IP monetization. Internally, it can enhance portfolio analysis, valuation, and strategy development. Externally, it supports negotiations, market validation, and deal execution.

This integrated approach allows businesses to focus on high-value activities, improving their ability to adapt to changing market conditions while making better use of their IP assets.

A Measured Approach to IP Monetization

IP monetization offers businesses a way to generate additional value from their innovations, but the process requires thoughtful planning and execution. Organizations can address traditional pain points by adopting AI tools, identifying new opportunities, and creating more efficient workflows.

While challenges remain, technology provides practical ways to navigate them. With the right strategies and tools, businesses can approach IP monetization more effectively, turning their assets into meaningful contributors to their growth and market positioning.

Top 10 Reasons to Attend Professional Conferences

I have had the pleasure of attending many professional conferences for over fifteen years and I have been organizing a few too. Licensing Executives Society International and our many national and regional societies are organizing a number of high-quality conferences each year. These gatherings provide a lot of value to our members and partners, as well as to the global IP community.

Conferences are fantastic opportunities, but let’s be honest—they require a commitment of time, effort, and resources. Travel costs, registration fees, and time away from work can make you wonder if it’s worth it. After all, aren’t there webinars, reports, and online communities that can deliver similar benefits? Yes, but in my opinion, conferences will provide more.

Here’s the truth: conferences offer a unique mix of value that simply can’t be replicated elsewhere. They provide not just knowledge, but also the kind of personal connections and experiences that can change the trajectory of your career. So, what do you get in exchange for this investment?

1. Stay Ahead with Industry Updates

Conferences provide curated insights into the latest trends, technologies, and innovations in your field. Instead of spending countless hours researching, you get concise and targeted updates from industry leaders. LESI's well curated conference topics with top notch speakers provide you with the best view into the industry.

2. Spark Fresh Ideas

Immersing yourself in expert talks and discussions can ignite new ideas for your work. Whether it's an innovative solution to a challenge or inspiration for a project, conferences are fertile ground for creativity. It is often said that even getting one brilliant new idea is making the conference a great experience (and usually in a LESI conference, it is not left to only one idea).

3. Expand Your Network

Meeting new people and connecting with like-minded professionals is one of the biggest draws of conferences. These events are perfect for expanding your circle, meeting future collaborators, and even finding mentors. You will get the most out of conferences by being actively linking new people in LinkedIn, having business cards and a short pitch talk about yourself and what you do.

4. Build Your Personal Brand

Speaking at or actively participating in conferences helps you establish thought leadership. It’s a platform to showcase your expertise and amplify your professional presence in your industry. Companies often require people to be thought leaders to be promoted. What would be better way to prove your expertise than having a crowd of professionals listening to you in a high-quality conference?

5. Advocate for Your Company

Conferences offer a stage to promote your company’s mission, products, or services. By participating, you can enhance your company’s visibility and reputation. Companies can participate in topical discussions and provide their views on policy matters. Conferences reinforce and build communities and ecosystems through advocacy and LESI aims to facilitate the most topical conversations in the IP field.

6. Engage with Top Minds in Your Field

Where else can you directly interact with industry icons? Conferences bring the best minds together, offering you the opportunity to learn, ask questions, and share ideas with the top-tier professionals. Connecting in real life will also make your social media contacts more meaningful. LESI is emphasizing bringing in the top thought leaders from the industry, academia and legal profession.

7. Explore Business Opportunities

From finding new clients to securing partnerships, conferences often serve as a marketplace for ideas and business. Many attendees walk away with potential deals or valuable leads. Business opportunities build up over longer time and consistently being present in conferences will support your efforts. It is often said that LESI conferences are not too sales oriented, but they build on longer term business relationships.

8. Discover Market Trends and Innovations

Staying competitive means knowing what’s new. Conferences often showcase emerging products, services, and solutions that can inform your decisions or inspire innovation in your work. What could be better way to easily learn the hottest new AI tools and services of you field than checking them out in LESI conferences?

9. Strengthen Relationships

These events are great for reconnecting with old contacts and deepening your professional friendships. The neutral ground of a conference also makes it an excellent venue for discussions with negotiation or business partners. LESI conferences usually have also informal receptions and opportunities to meet your global network.

10. Enjoy the Experience

Conferences are often held in fascinating venues or cities, offering a blend of professional growth and memorable travel experiences. From vibrant networking sessions to gala dinners, they create moments you’ll cherish. In many of the LESI conferences we have had wonderful venues which are not necessarily open for tourists. Some of the recent highlights have been Casino in Madrid and Arsenal in Venice - and I am looking forward to see the Gardens by the Bay in Singapore!

Final Thought

Conferences are not just events; they’re opportunities to grow, connect, and make an impact in your professional journey. They’re hard work, yes, but the returns on your investment—in knowledge, relationships, and inspiration—are immense.

So, when the next invite lands in your inbox, don’t hesitate—seize the chance to elevate your career! Next LESI Annual Conference will be in Singapore, I am looking forward to meet you there!

Leveraging Technology for Strategic IP Commercialization

This article was originally published as blog in Evalueserve website in August 2024.

In today's fast-paced innovation landscape, leveraging technology for strategic IP commercialization is more critical than ever. Companies can unlock new revenue streams by effectively commercializing intellectual property (IP), enhancing investment returns, and staying ahead of the competition. This article explores how cutting-edge technologies like AI and data mining revolutionize IP commercialization processes, from market assessment to competitive analysis. Technology can create value by facilitating better IP processes and capturing and communicating the value of the IP.

Technology-driven IP Assessment provides Market Opportunities

Understanding the market opportunity lays the ground for investing in and commercializing a new idea and understanding the technology landscape. Is the IP to be commercialized at the core of the technology area or potentially in a less critical niche? Is it a must-have or a nice one to have? Does it have alternatives? Technology intelligence about specific IPs provides understanding, for example, on whether and by whom the technology has been adopted. Are strong companies on the market offering alternatives, or how valuable is this technology’s contribution to products on the market? The more data available to assist in decision-making, the better. AI technologies facilitate obtaining and analyzing market data, providing a comprehensive understanding of the technology landscape.

Data Mining and AI Analytics Drive for More IP Insight

Today’s most modern technology opportunities focus on data mining and AI analytics. IP analytics allow one to examine relationships, trends, and patterns to facilitate decision-making.

For example, AI can analyze IP portfolios of third parties identified through the technology landscape or market intelligence data and identify commercialization opportunities. AI tools are far faster and more complete than older methods, and they will create numerous clear prospective outcomes and better potential for any commercialization strategy. AI can also analyze and clarify intangible assets related to your IP, identify potential.

Market Analysis is Critical for IP Commercialization

The incredible pace of technology adoption is exciting. Understanding the next opportunity is critical for organizations but is far more complex than ever. Predictive analytics can offer insight into foreseeable technology adoptions in various industries, enabling organizations to spot potential market opportunities more efficiently and comprehensively than a human could develop alone. Market analytics helps steer IP development towards new licensing opportunities.

Market trends analysis enables organizations to understand better what is already being utilized within the market, who the implementers are, and their IP position in the relevant market. This is critical information for patent monetization. There is an opportunity to monetize if there is infringement, such as someone using patented technology without a license. Finding the details of use before moving forward is necessary for any licensing effort.

Additionally, organizations must be able to see where the market shift is occurring. Predictive analytics can show what technology is being adopted (and what may not be), placing more value on those more in-demand applications. Another vantage point is determining whether the technology has a narrow focus within a very niche market, which could limit its overall growth opportunities, or whether it has yet unseen potential for wide adoption over several markets. Predictive analytics expands the data of traditional landscape analysis to more forward-looking insights.

Technology Scouting Benefits Both In-Licensing and Out-Licensing

Technology scouting is a systematic process that aims to exhaustively identify, evaluate, and ultimately access innovative technologies from numerous sources. And technology owners may be scouting monetization opportunities from their vast IP portfolios, while other organizations may be scouting to access innovative technologies through licensing or acquisitions. Technology scouting from both perspectives is comprehensively more detailed than traditional research and requires extensive insight. This process and moving toward IP monetization without enabling technology is labor-consuming and burdensome, even for large organizations.

For technology owners, these tools can support scouting for technologies within an IP portfolio for sale or licensing, providing more opportunities faster and with greater depth of analysis. For organizations seeking access to technology, these tools offer analytics on which organizations to approach for acquisitions, the strength and depth of the IP in question, and insights into the technology's benefits.

Competitive Landscape Analysis with AI Drives Competitor Tracking

Technology commercialization, whether through making products or licensing IP,  requires careful insight into what the competitor is doing or could do next. AI can facilitate this insight by tracking competitor activities or doing freedom-to-operate analysis.

AI systems can monitor the patent filings of specific organizations or within particular industries. This enables organizations to assess their competitors' moves and any potential opportunities for their decision-making. This process could involve analyzing citations, portfolio data, development, or other metrics applicable to the specific technology field.

Organizations can also utilize data other than patents to achieve the best insight and comprehensive results. For example, AI can couple patent data alongside scientific literature, market and product news, mergers and acquisition news, and other resources to facilitate the best possible insight into what the competitor is doing and thinking.

Enhancing IP Portfolio Agility with Dynamic IP Portfolio Management

Technology can help organizations align their IP portfolios with market trends, mitigate risks, and optimize resource allocation through dynamic IP portfolio management.

Utilizing these tools helps adjust IP strategies flexibly as market conditions change, providing better leverage and control based on accurate, in-depth data. For example, a company may initially file a patent in one country to create FTO for themselves (as no one can have a patent and thus cannot use it against them). However, this narrow scope of protection might lead to later adjustments in the IP strategy, such as filing patents in more geographies to enable them to block competitors from such markets.

Keeping the patent filing strategy agile and based on landscape insights will help make IP portfolio decisions quickly in response to changing conditions.

Holistic Data Approach Provides for More Effective IP Strategy

IP commercialization tools and management technologies enable insights based on the data available. The focus should not be only on patents; the data should also cover trade secrets and know-how. Advanced systems can provide a holistic view of IP in the context of business operations and strategy, enabling better alignment of IP strategy with organizational goals.

For example, combining business intelligence data on the licensing market and product sales volumes with royalty data provides better insight into royalty compliance.

Collaborative Platforms Enable Cross-Functional Teams

Collaboration enables data sharing, reducing market time across all product development stages. Utilizing collaborative platforms that allow cross-functional teams to bring information together and facilitate IP commercialization provides a clear advantage to all involved.

These platforms facilitate interactions between IP, R&D, and business development teams. They enable a cohesive, streamlined approach to identifying and exploiting commercialization avenues in a highly profit-driven strategy. Efficient team collaboration also reduces the costs of such processes.

Moving Beyond Limits and Ahead of Competition

It is difficult to underestimate the importance of leveraging technology in the strategic shift from IP management to commercialization. IP is simply a cost unless it is used strategically. Commercialization can include creating revenue by licensing, selling IP, or commercializing the technology through the company's products. Even in the latter option, there may be worthwhile opportunities to address adjacent markets outside the organization's specific product area by licensing IP.

Look towards the future. Technology is shaping a new era of IP commercialization strategies that could enhance profitability faster with less risk and better business insights.

Rethink your IP approach. Consider today's technology a critical enabler for successful commercialization before your competition does the same. Create a holistic IP approach, considering the intellectual assets beyond patents alone. Ensure your IP approach is pragmatic and business-oriented, and utilize outsourced resources to achieve targets without developing new technologies that support commercialization.

#LESisMore: Visible, Industry-friendly, Engaging and Sustainable

This article was originally published in LES Global News VOL 4, October 2024.

First quarter went so fast!

As always the society year starts with appointments of the committees and meetings with the committee leadership and the LES society presidents. In these kick-off meetings the newly adopted LESI Vision and Mission as well as the priorities for this society year were presented and discussed.  My ask for all the committees and national societies is to take our Vision and Mission, think about what they mean to your respective committee or national society and translate them into action – taking into account our priorities for this year.

These will be the priorities for the year 2024-2025:

1. Raise our Visibility Globally

2. Engage & Activate Members, Industry, Partners and Stakeholders

3. Drive a Diversified Funding Model

Our first priority is to raise our visibility globally. Visibility is the starting point of everything we do. Growing membership, being an attractive organization, being relevant for our members, industry, partners and stakeholders – it all starts by being visible. If we do not communicate about our purpose, our activities and goals, we will lose our relevance in the audience that matters. But if we are visible, we will be heard and we will get the mindshare in the audience, and all of our activities will get boosted.

There are many ways to increase visibility. We need to evolve and embrace the opportunities of social media and other digital channels while maintaining meetings and discussions in real life. LESI intends to support the visibility of committees and national societies and their activities with a multi-channel approach: we will use social media, the Global News, our website, emails and the les Nouvelles magazine. We will also use the support of our global partners’ networks to reach wider audiences – the High-growth Technology Business Initiative, our joint effort with European Patent Office as an example. During this year LESI will also develop easy to use “tips and tricks of Linkedin” to help boost the visibility of our committees and national societies.

Our second priority is engaging and activating members, industry, partners and stakeholders. This is the core of our vision to be the “go-to” global organization for professionals working with intellectual assets. Serving our members and creating opportunities for them to learn, share and network has always been the key priority. This year I have personally been working hard to bring industry into our activities. Having been in industry myself for the last 17 years, I have first hand knowledge on how valuable LES can be for a business.

We have tested industry-only meetings in a couple of our LESI Annual Meetings now and the feedback has been very positive. LES Benelux took this to the local level in their Annual Meeting with an informal lunch meeting setting. We have an industry delegation visiting Chinese authorities and attending the LES China Annual Meeting. I am expecting these activities to be a kick-off for a more industry friendly and engaging LES. I think this will also benefit our efforts to activate and engage our members and stakeholders in academia and research institutions, patent and trademark authorities and organizations, and of course also our partners in the expert service industry.

And lastly, our priority is to derive a diversified funding model. Our funding is mainly based on membership fees, supported by any surpluses from annual conferences. We need to create a funding model that enables our organization to reach its goals even if the income fluctuates from one year to the next. We already saw this happening during the pandemic when annual conferences were cancelled. Diversifying our funding means being less dependent on any single source and developing balanced income sources based on our content and valuable partnerships over longer periods.

We have already been running the Thought Leadership Program, the current year being the third consecutive year. The Thought Leadership Program creates valuable online content through a series of webinars over the year, followed by a ”grande finale” workshop at the annual conference. We have seen unique expertise shared by industry thought leaders, business leaders and judges. The program is made possible by our partners who help support it financially and provide their expertise. While this program has created a source of income for LESI, it is carefully curated and not a pay-to-play program. In addition, we are creating partnerships that create value for longer than just one annual conference at a time. These are being piloted with selected partners during the year.

Our next round of meetings with committee leadership and national society presidents is getting closer! I am asking all the committees, as well as all national and regional societies to consider these priorities and again translate our vision and mission into action for this year. We will follow up, share and celebrate the success and learnings together!

#LESisMore

At Your Service,

Sonja London

President of LESI 2024-2025

Navigating Technology Licensing for International Manufacturing Businesses

This article has been published in IP Briefs® in February 2024. Read as a Pdf.

In the rapidly evolving landscape of contemporary manufacturing, keeping pace with competitors demands commitment to innovation. As companies strive to incorporate cutting-edge technologies into their manufacturing operations, accessing the new innovation may become complicated. While traditional procurement methods involve obtaining parts from the supply chain, technology licensing emerges as alternative way of acquiring innovative solutions. In this article, we dive into the unique advantages of technology licensing and why it plays a growing role in the manufacturing industry.

Going beyond Traditional Procurement with Technology Licensing

In the conventional manufacturing industry, companies primarily rely on their supply chain for materials and components. Traditional way of purchasing is well known operation and agreement concepts are familiar to lawyers and business leaders. It is relatively easy to understand the warranties and liabilities given by a part supplier. However, this conventional and transactional approach does not work when manufacturers are willing to integrate transformative technologies into their business. Unlike the straightforward acquisition of physical goods, adopting technology requires a deeper level of collaboration and comprehension of the underlying intellectual property and the technology assets in question.

Unlocking Business Potential through Technology Licensing

Technology licensing enables businesses to get access to various strategic benefits. Here are a few key elements to consider.

Access to Specialized Expertise and Know-How. Technology licensing is more than that purchasing of products. Licensed technology assets often include specialized expertise and knowledge (know-how) developed by technology vendors over a long time. Through licensing agreements, licensee companies gain ongoing support, training, and updates to technology which ensure comprehensive understanding and optimal utilization of the technology they adopt. This collaborative relationship goes beyond traditional purchasing, and often requires mutual investment in the successful implementation of the technology.

Flexibility and Customization. In contrast to traditional procurement's standardized components, technology licensing offers potentially a higher degree of customization of products. Often technology assets can be applied to improve current manufacturing technologies and enable making of completely new applications, creating new business opportunities and revenue streams.

Risk Mitigation. Innovation is inherently risky, involving uncertainties like technology maturity and market shifts. Innovators face the dual challenge of potential market loss to alternative technologies and the risk of developing technology suitable for business applications. Licensing technology from innovators mitigates both technology and market risk that manufacturer would have if they developed technologies themselves. Further, by leveraging the innovator’s technology and their expertise during implementation, licensees can significantly reduce disruptions and setbacks. This kind of strategic collaboration effectively mitigates risk, providing benefit for technology licensees.

Cost-Effective Innovation. No-one can innovate on behalf of the whole world, often not for even a specific industry. Developing new technology in-house demands substantial investments. Therefore the innovator would have paid for costly development, which would be compensated by licensee only after the technology was mature enough to be licensed. This decreases also manufacturer’s investment risk. Thus, technology licensing offers a cost-effective alternative, allowing companies to leverage existing innovations, without investing time and resources for long-term development.

Accelerated Time-to-Market. In the fast-paced business landscape, time is a critical factor. Technology licensing enables manufacturing companies to bypass lengthy development cycles they would need in-house and swiftly integrate technologies already tested and proven. This approach provides a competitive edge, allowing for the rapid delivery of new products.

Focus on Core Competencies. Manufacturers excel in producing goods, not necessarily in developing every component or process. Technology licensing allows companies to focus on their core competencies while outsourcing the development of specialized technologies to those with expertise in those areas. This strategic division of labor enhances overall efficiency, with each party contributing its expertise to the partnership.

Market Differentiation. In an era where OEMs wish to provide for consumers’ demand of constant innovation, companies embracing new technologies will stand out in the market. Technology licensing enables manufacturers to differentiate themselves by incorporating cutting-edge solutions that align with evolving consumer preferences. This differentiation not only attracts customers but also positions the company as an industry leader.

Scalability and Global Reach. Technology licensing facilitates scalability of innovation without the need to scale up internal research and development capabilities. Manufacturers can tap into a global pool of technological advancements without geographical constraints. This access to a broader range of innovations enables companies to expand their operations and remain competitive in their respective industries.

How to Navigate the Technology Licensing Landscape

While the benefits of technology licensing in manufacturing are self-evident, legal and business professionals must navigate the landscape with diligence and foresight. Thorough due diligence is crucial before entering any technology licensing agreement. Licensee’s business teams should assess the innovator’s technology solutions and their own business case for the technology. Licensee needs to understand which technology assets are needed and what kind of business benefit they provide for. Analysis should be done on the portfolio of intellectual property rights holistically, not only understanding the patents but also the know-how, software and other technology elements. Developing general understanding of the technology landscape would be useful homework for both parties. Finally, licensed technology should be enabler for company's strategic objectives. Understanding the potential risks and rewards is essential for making informed decisions.

It's essential for legal and business professionals to recognize that, as explained above, licensor has made significant investments into technology development. Technology mature enough to be licensable has over time incurred substantial investments in development, productization, testing, expert personnel, and intellectual property creation. Consequently, licensed technology always comes with a price tag. Licensee should understand that accessing technology which enables significant advancements or new business does not come for free. Payment for access to technology should be viewed as investment, not as cost.

Licensing arrangements often include various intellectual property rights, including patents, copyrights, trademarks, databased and trade secrets. Both legal and business professionals need to be aware of the specific rights granted under the agreement and any restrictions imposed. As technology assets may vary, it is important to understand that intellectual property protection and license grants works in different ways for different assets. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for legal compliance and successful integration of technology into business operation.

The success of a technology licensing agreement depends on whether a win-win agreement with clarity of terms have been achieved. Legal and IP professionals should negotiate a comprehensive agreement that should address concerns of both parties. Licensor typically needs to maintain control and transparency of the usage of its valuable technology assets and ensure compliance in licensee fee and royalty payments. Licensee typically wants to ensure business continuity and manage the relevant business risks. It goes without saying that well-defined agreement minimizes the risk of misunderstandings and disputes going forward.

Effective communication between the technology licensor and the adopting company as licensee is vital for the success of a technology licensing arrangement. Regular updates, collaborative problem-solving, and a shared vision for the technology's evolution contribute to a positive and productive relationship.

Given the complexity of licensing arrangements and expertise required to handle intellectual property questions, both licensors and licensees are strongly advised to engage with expert intellectual property professionals. Whether in-house or external consultants, they bring a depth of knowledge and experience to the negotiation table and help each party to do their homework before negotiations and finally successfully close the licensing deal. They can guide the parties through the complexities of intellectual property law and strategy, ensuring that the final agreement is not only legally sound but also aligns with the strategic goals of both parties.

In conclusion, technology licensing stands as a dynamic and strategic alternative to traditional procurement methods, offering manufacturers access to innovation that goes beyond merely acquiring physical components. By embracing technology licensing, companies can tap into specialized expertise, achieve flexibility and customization, and mitigate technology and market risks associated with innovation. Further strategic advantages include accelerated time-to-market, enabling focus on core competencies, market differentiation, and the scalability required to address global markets. Successful technology licensing arrangement can be key strategic enabler for successful and sustainable innovation in manufacturing.