Patents and trademarks are viewed as mere protection, without much capacity for profit. In the current economic climate, this can reflect badly on the IP department, which is seen as a cost department. But increasingly, there have been efforts to monetize IP assets in an effort to bring IP to the forefront as a valuable advantage to the business. However, this strategy can also be challenging – the changing nature of the market means that an asset can quickly have its worth reduced, resulting in further challenges. It is one that requires careful consideration and an understanding of IP-backed financing in order to mitigate risk for the business.

• Explore and contrast the different possible streams through which IP assets can generate revenue, from licensing to creating spin-out companies
• Learn to uncover and understand the value of your portfolio and to prioritise patents according to revenue potential
• Weigh in on the benefits of generating revenue with IP assets to raise awareness around the value of IP and its worth throughout the company