Firm-based strategies for protecting innovations (original) (raw)

Intellectual Property Management and Technological Entrepreneurship

International Journal of Innovation and Technology Management, 2013

This paper investigates the distinctive technology protection strategies of entrepreneurial technology firms. In contrast with much popular opinion, it is reported that intellectual property features more prominently in the business of small entrepreneurial firms than it does in the business of large, established mature firms. The intellectual property portfolios of technology firms of all sizes and ages exhibit a rich array of instruments in addition to patents for protecting technology, including trade secrets, trademarks and copyright, together with licenses to externally sourced technology. The intellectual property profiles of technology firms appear to be influenced by their context, organizational profiles and corporate goals and by the character of their technology.

Maximizing the Contribution of IP Rights (IPRs) to SME Growth and Competitiveness

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are an invaluable national resource, and one much neglected. The market often fails to respond to the signals sent by SMEs, and governments everywhere intervene to compensate. But deciding to intervene is much easier than deciding what form intervention should take. What sort of interference assists a sector comprising so many diverse units? One broad policy thrust seeks to improve the competitiveness of SMEs so that they may be more effective in the market, creating both jobs and wealth. There are numerous ways in which governments try to do this. Among them is the encouragement of innovation. With new products and processes, it is argued, SMEs will be more competitive. This argument glosses over the problems and uncertainties inherent in innovation, and ignores the fact that most innovation fails. If innovation is to play a part in enhancing the competitiveness of SMEs, it seems to follow that intellectual property rights (IPR) must also h...

Empowering Malaysian SMEs through Intellectual Property Management

2010

Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are the prime movers of the economy in most countries. In Malaysia, SMEs generate 99.2% of the total income for the country and contribute 40% - 50% of the gross domestic product (GDP) for the country. As the world is now moving towards globalization, small and medium enterprises not only face competition among domestic market, but also from competitors abroad. With the rapid change of globalization Malaysian SMEs need a coherent business strategy to survive and compete in the global market. On the other hand, intellectual assets which comes in the form of intellectual properties (patents, industrial designs, copyrights, trademarks, geographical indications and many others) offers a great amount of benefits to those who care to protect their right and these IPR not only protect the right of the holder but may also generate more income to the enterprise by the way of commercialization. Therefore it is important for all SMEs to know how to protect, ...

Appropriation of Intellectual Property: A Multiple Cross-Case Analysis of SME Practices in Technology-intensive Industries

Journal of Management Policy and Practice, 2019

Intellectual property (IP) is critical to the development of competitive advantage. Anecdotal evidence and the literature suggest that SMEs find it difficult to appropriate their IP, due to high legal costs. This study examines the key determinants of IP appropriation strategy in technology- intensive SMEs. We examine the relationships between the factors that facilitate IP appropriation and innovation performance with a qualitative analysis of five case studies in the biotechnology and ICT industries. The results reveal that SMEs in both sectors rely on organizational resources, specific IP acquisition practices and various IP protection practices to facilitate IP appropriation.