Intellectual property, a profit centre ?

For the past fifteen years, thanks to a change in patent legislation in the United States, intellectual property rights have been better recognised and valued. It is necessary now for this heritage to be identified, evaluated, protected and exploited. How can one get the maximum value from it? Based on personal experience, Thierry Sueur suggests integrating a structure dedicated to intellectual property into the organisation, in particular in R&D departments. This process will be more efficient if the company establishes a realistic policy concerning patents, adapted to the special features of its environment and its strategic objectives.