Slate Sights
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Leading Japanese car makers are teaming up with top tech companies. What’s causing this unexpected partnership? Honda, Mazda, Nissan, Subaru, and Toyota are working with tech giants like Denso Corporation, Panasonic Automotive Systems, Cadence Design Systems, Mirise Technologies Corporation, Renesas Electronics Corporation, Socionext Inc, and Synopsys. This team-up by Advanced SoC Research for Automotive (ASRA)…
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Freedom to Operate (FTO) searches are crucial for companies launching new products or entering new markets. They help identify existing patents that could block your product. But what if there’s more to the story? Looking Deeper: Utility Patents in Design Patent Citations FTO searches typically focus on design patents, which protect a product’s appearance. However,…
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The USPTO’s Track One program, designed as an express lane for patent approval, promises a tantalizing 12-month decision turnaround for applicants. However, with its annual quota limited to 15,000 applications and an additional fee requirement, the program’s universal appeal is up for debate. A closer examination across various domains reveals a nuanced efficacy of the…
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The USPTO’s Track One program stands out as a critical measure of a domain’s innovation pace and competitive edge. By offering an expedited prosecution lane, ensuring a grant decision within 12 months for a limited number of applications, Track One not only highlights the urgency with which companies seek to protect their innovations but also…
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Nike’s strategic deployment of design patents, particularly in its defensive positioning against Adidas. With over 300 design patents citing Adidas, Nike showcases a multifaceted strategy aimed not just at safeguarding its innovations but also at complicating Adidas’s path in the design domain. This case study delves into Nike’s tactics and explores the broader implications for…
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Companies are increasingly leveraging patents not just as defensive mechanisms but as strategic assets to navigate through the complexities of the market. A closer examination of this trend, underscored by the patent activities of Changzhou Patent Electronic Technology Co. Ltd., Joyetech Europe, and AYR, offers a clear view of how intellectual property is shaping the…
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A comprehensive analysis of patent families offers a powerful lens through which these dynamics can be observed, revealing intentions, priorities, and shifts in the competitive arena. Let’s explore the multifaceted utility of patent family analysis through real-world examples and introduce Slate, a tool that enhances the accuracy and efficiency of these calculations. Why It Is…
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Patent drawings serve as a window into the intricate details of inventions, transcending the barriers of technical language to visually communicate the essence of innovative ideas. These drawings are more than mere illustrations; they are pivotal in clarifying concepts, assessing novelty, and uncovering insights into technological evolution and market opportunities. As businesses and inventors navigate…
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A trend that has increasingly caught the attention of industry leaders is the acquisition of startups addressing challenges parallel to their own. This strategy not only injects fresh perspectives into their operations but also cements their competitive standing. The Microline Method: A Case Study in Strategic Acquisitions Microline, a tech giant in our narrative, recently…
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Looking into a company’s patents can tell us a lot about what they’re planning to do next. Think of patents like clues that help us understand a company’s big plans for the future. Here’s how you can figure out what your competitors might be up to by looking at their patents: Covering More Ground: When…