Inventing collaboratively requires protection

For advanced engineering companies, innovation to bring a product to market often involves some level of collaboration with partners in the supply chain. As such, firms that wish to work together in this way need to manage the process carefully to make sure their commercial interests are protected.

The point of disclosure is a critical moment for innovators as once an invention or idea is in the public domain, it’s impossible to turn back the clock. If the invention is publically disclosed before a patent application has been filed, then it is highly likely that the patent application, and any subsequently granted patent, will be invalid.

So how can the unnecessary loss of valuable ideas and inventions be safeguarded against? The answer lies in careful management of the innovation process, for example, when preparing to share innovations, the industry knowledge of a patent adviser can prove invaluable in helping to assess the commercial potential. Advisers will also have access to related patent applications, as well as specialist knowledge of new standards that may link their inventions to dominant user technologies.