The IP Strategist

Abstract

The IP Strategist is typically an innovative firm, which often experiences substantial costs in developing new products. The IP Strategist is well aware of the importance of IP to their business for protecting their investment in product development. To many IP Strategists, the continued survival of the firm depends on the successful use of IP. The IP Strategist employs a formal process when working with IP, a process that is well structured and articulated. Commonly, the IP Strategist will have resources dedicated to working with IP, including a dedicated IP person, though that person may not necessarily be formally trained. The IP Strategist is often internationally oriented due to a saturated home market or to selling niche products with a limited customer base in the home market. This pushes the IP Strategist to work with IP internationally and requires substantial knowledge of IP regulation and conduct in export, transit and production countries. The IP Strategist is reluctant to engage in trading or licensing IF, which is a key point in distinguishing the IP Strategist from the IP Dealer and IP Strategic Dealer. This can be due to a lack of knowledge of the potential benefits, but in many cases it is a deliberate strategic decision due to the firm’s competitive situation.