What is Sponsored Invention?

Sponsored Invention is a program in which sponsors (corporations, foundations, etc.) engage Intellectual Ventures (IV) to generate and patent inventions that address problems or opportunities of strategic significance to the sponsor. IV supplies a world–class set of inventors who can generate invention ideas independently or in conjunction with the sponsor’s inventors. IV manages the invention and patenting processes and provides the sponsor with a license to those inventions.

What are the benefits of Sponsored Invention?

IV has cultivated relationships with some of the most productive and acclaimed inventors in the world. IV’s inventors have expertise in a wide range of technical fields, including medicine, surgery, software, physics, electrical engineering, optics, and photonics, to name just a few. IV also has the ability to attract new inventors to tackle specific problems identified by the sponsor. In the past we have recruited experts in climate science, geoengineering, nuclear physics, and epidemiology.

High–quality inventions and patents

IV produces high-quality inventions and protects them through strong patents. Our unique invention–development process has been refined over years of invention activity. IV’s expertise in patent filing and prosecution—we file more than 500 patent applications per year—ensures that inventions will be properly and thoroughly protected by patents for the benefit of all participants.

Invention liberated from a product pipeline

IV excels at generating forward–looking inventions that are not constrained or dictated by short–term corporate product pipelines. Although it can contribute to innovations with nearer–term potential, IV is especially skilled in taking on tough, high–reach problems and generating breakthrough solutions.

Cost–effective source of invention and patents

IV provides the benefit of scale effects in its invention and patenting processes. Its fully–burdened cost per patent is very low compared with that of corporate R&D organizations. By leveraging the expert invention and patent resources of IV, corporations can cost–effectively build a pipeline of forward–looking inventions.

How does it work? Who is involved?

IV typically holds two full–day invention sessions per year at locations mutually acceptable to IV and the sponsor. Invention session topics suggested by the sponsor are agreed upon in advance of the session. IV provides inventors who have technical backgrounds relevant to the session topics. The sponsor selects key contributors from its staff to attend the session.

IV does significant preparation prior to the session, including background research into the current state of the art, related technology trends, and competition. Inventors receive these briefing materials well before the session date.

IV manages the invention session, and then consults with the sponsor to select the most promising inventions for patent filings. Patent preparation and prosecution is managed by IV. Resulting patents remain in the ownership of IV.

What invention rights does the sponsor get?

Invention sponsors receive a non–exclusive license to the inventions that result from sponsored sessions. These rights confer the first–mover advantage of being part of the invention process and having early access to patent filings. Sponsors also typically receive a pro–rata portion of the profits associated with IV’s other licensing of the relevant patents.

How do I learn more about this program?

For more information regarding Sponsored Invention, please contact:

Todd R. McIntyre
Vice President, Business Development
Intellectual Ventures
+1 425.283.4704

E-mail:  BusinessDevelopment@intven.com

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