Volvo's IP revolution and an inside look at the growing European patent market lead the way in IAM 79
Issue 79 of IAM has now been published and is available to subscribers online.
The cover story focuses on Volvo, one of Europe’s iconic auto brands and a company that filed its first patent application nearly 70 years ago. Back in 2014, though, the management decided that a complete re-engineering of its IP strategy was necessary in order to align it more effectively with overall business objectives. Jens Bordin, the CEO of Konsert Strategy & IP, was brought in to help drive (no pun intended) the root and branch restructuring of the IP function that followed. In an exclusive article, Bordin explains why a back to basics approach was needed, as well as how it was planned and executed. Although this is a tale from the auto sector, the lessons it teaches are applicable to a much wider audience.
The United Kingdom’s recent vote to leave the European Union is likely to have a significant impact on IP management strategies in Europe – some of which are explored in the Insight section – but what it won’t do is curb the growing enthusiasm that European patent owners are showing for the monetisation of their rights. Anders Arvidsson, Keith Woomer and Lucia Alvarado take a look at the current state of play in various European industries and predict how things may develop over the coming years. For anyone seeking to understand the dynamics of what is a highly complex market, this is essential reading.
Our team of journalists have been very busy and the fruits of their labours can be seen in various features in IAM 79. North America editor Richard Lloyd takes a look at the burgeoning patent issues facing the fintech sector in the United States and beyond; while Asia-Pacific editor Jacob Schindler outlines how the region’s companies are refocusing patent portfolio management strategies to place greater emphasis on quality, especially in the new markets they are moving into. Also from Asia, Jack Ellis hones in on Chinese companies’ appetite for patent acquisition and the opportunities this may present. Meanwhile, senior reporter Sara Jayne Clover interviews each of this year’s inductees into the IP Hall of Fame; and there is an in-depth report on events at IPBC Global 2016, which took place in Barcelona at the start of June.
That’s not all, of course. Look out, too, for a powerful comparative piece on how Europe and the United States treat the controversial issue of patent hold-out; as well as a primer on why an augmented market approach to patent valuation may be an attractive option. With a lot more besides, there will be plenty to keep you reading until the next issue of IAM publishes in early October.