I have a Labrador, and his name is Chummy. He is not a pedigree but is so beautiful and sweet natured that my kids are trying to hatch a plan to clone him. We got this Lab as we were told they are great family dogs, lovely appearances, loyal, fast learners, friendly, cause very little trouble, and you can even take them with you and show them off to your friends! He also sheds lots of hair, but that for another time.

So too, many clients want Labrador Patents – those that are pretty on their walls, make a great impression, and accompany them into investor meetings. Legitimate indeed!

But the other day I bumped into another Lab owner, who has a pedigreed Lab that had given a lifetime of challenges, discipline issues, health issue and more. This guy was in despair, having spent a fortune to keep his Lab alive, but harboring many doubts as to wisdom of his decision. I know many patent owners who feel the same way about their patents, especially those who paid to get pedigree patents that turned out to be pedigree pain points. They too often suffer from patenting post-trauma that may haunt them for a career or more.

We have been lucky with our Lab, but this isn’t always the case. So too with our patents, many innovators and businesses want patents for certain reasons, yet they turn out to be much more complicated, expensive, demanding than anticipated. Of course, we don’t control everything, and surprises and pandemics happen. But if we know at the start much more about the alternative tactics for filing patents, and we had a greater perspective on the strategic-business side of patents, we could more likely find a pathway that would enhance your ROI – which I refer to as Returns On Innovation – and reduce your pain!

I personally recommend Labradors as wonderful pets, and patents as beneficial business tools – but do your due diligence first, to increase your chances in having your patents work for your business, and not waking up to find that your business works for your patents.  

To the Future!

Yaron Damelin
Strategic IP Management Consultant