A lack of basic knowledge leads to a variety of disadvantages. First and foremost, however, a loss of time and money for the company. In most cases, this will have a direct negative impact on the company’s position in the market.

Why is this so?
Again and again I experience that misunderstandings arise between developers/(innovation) managers and patent attorneys. Sometimes they talk completely past each other. This leads to frustration on both sides. The developers/managers sometimes no longer dare to ask questions and have the feeling that they are not being understood. The lawyers may be annoyed because they have to explain the same thing over and over again and somehow it still doesn’t seem to get through. Most of the time, they simply don’t have the time to explain.

What happens then?
Developers are supposed to help with the process all the way to the patent. Lawyers even depend on their assistance. If this does not happen, the lawyer has to make something up with his (half-) knowledge in the special field of the invention. It is clear that this cannot produce the optimal result.

(Innovation) managers often have the task of making decisions on patents. But if they lack the knowledge about the process and the possibilities with patents and they do not know a suitable strategy to solve this task, the decisions made will inevitably also not be optimal.

Both these factors therefore lead to less than optimal use of patents as property rights. This may put the company at a disadvantage vis-à-vis competitors. The market position is weakened.

Very good question 🙂

1) Monetary: In Germany there is the so-called Employee Inventors Act (“Arbeitnehmererfindergesetz”). This stipulates that (employee) inventors receive remuneration for their inventions. For this, however, a patent application needs to be filed at the patent office on the basis of the invention and the invention must be used in a product. The inventor then receives a share of the turnover as remuneration.
I know examples where inventors have received amounts in the 6-digit range. So it can be worth it!

However, the inventor must know how to write good invention disclosures and how to optimally accompany the process up to the patent. Otherwise, his idea will end up in a drawer.

2) Psychologically: Making an invention that is later granted as a patent is a great recognition for the work. In addition, think of the following: Everything we humans have created is based on innovation. The fire, the wheel, the cultivation of plants, the building of a house. Isn’t it great to make the world a little better and help others with your idea?

The bottom line is that it saves the inventor a lot of frustration when it comes to patents. It helps him to work through the patent-related tasks faster and better and to improve the result for him personally (keyword remuneration and recognition).

I work with developers and decision makers in companies.
I show them that patent law is not as cryptic as it seems and that it can be fun.

I teach practical skills so that at the end every developer knows
– how the basics of the patent system work,
– what the criteria for a good invention are,
– how to do proper research,
– how to handle important documents (invention disclosures, office actions from the patent office…),
– how to properly monitor competitors in their field of technology, and
– how to stay motivated in inventing.

With this knowledge I reduce inner resistance to patents, I help to do the tasks better and faster and I save a lot of frustration, time and money.

If you don’t do any of the activities I described here, it doesn’t matter 🙂 Maybe I can still help you in some way or we can work together. Please just send me a message – I’m looking forward to getting to know you!

For example, I’ve had conversations with university professors, with patent engineers for mentorship, or requests from foreign companies.