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Innovation and Intellectual Property Management (IIPM) Laboratory

This IP Analytics Teaching Exercise was developed by F. Tietze and N. Clarke with support from M. Elsen and N. Fox. It is a teaching activity designed to introduce graduate and postgraduate students—both from technical and non-technical backgrounds—to the strategic use of patent data in research, technology development, and commercialization planning. This hands-on, interactive exercise introduces participants to the practical skills required for patent search strategies, data analysis, and the interpretation of intellectual property (IP) information, which ultimately enabled them to make informed decisions in real-world innovation and commercialization contexts.

Purpose and Learning Objectives

The exercise addresses a training gap in traditional postgraduate programs, where limited attention is given to how IP data, particularly patent information, can be used to:

  • Identify existing technical solutions that may be freely available or require licensing.
  • Analyze technology and market trends.
  • Understand the structure and meaning of patent-related data (e.g., legal status, patent families, classifications, citations).
  • Evaluate commercialization strategies by identifying and assessing potential technology partners.

 

Through the activity, students gain insights into both the opportunities and the limitations of using patent data in strategic decision-making. 

 

Structure of the Exercise

The exercise is structured into two main phases, each simulating a distinct phase of an innovation process. It was originally designed for the Research Development Course (RDC) that we run for our first year PhD students, but has been designed to be transferable to other departments, universities, and open online learning contexts. It is recommended that the exercise is front-loaded with an introductory lecture to patent essentials, which could be a 90min lecture by an experienced patent practitioner, such as a patent examiner, search analyst, technology transfer officer or patent attorney. 

 


 

Phase 1: Technology Search and Evaluation (Pre-Market Launch)

Participants are placed in teams acting as employees of a fictional mid-sized company. The company seeks to develop a new, multi-technology product but lacks IP in a specific technology area, which has been developed and patented by others. Using patent databases (e.g., Espacenet, The Lens), students conduct:

 

  • Systematic patent searches using keyword strategies, patent classifications, citations, and applicant data.
  • Identification and comparative analysis of at least three existing technical solutions and their IP owners.
  • Assessment of the legal status and freedom-to-operate implications.
  • Development of a recommended solution based on data-driven evaluation.

 

Each group delivers an interim presentation, reflecting on their search strategy, data interpretation challenges, and key findings.

 

Phase 2: Commercialization Strategy and Partner Identification (Post-Market Launch)

Building on the decision made in Phase 1, the company is now ready to commercialize the product but lacks resources for internationalization. The task shifts to using patent analytics to identify and evaluate potential commercialization partners. Participants apply advanced patent analysis techniques focusing on:

  • Company-level IP portfolio evaluation.
  • Patent indicators including family size, citation patterns, legal status, and co-applicant networks.
  • Comparative analysis of potential partners’ technological strengths and market positions.

 

This culminates in a final presentation, where teams present their approach for identifying and evaluating their preferred commercialization partner, detailing the analytical approach, key criteria applied, and limitations encountered during the analysis.

 

Teaching Kit Resources for Download

The teaching kit includes:

 

The activity uses open-access databases (e.g. Espacenet, The Lens) but can also incorporate advanced analytics tools if available.

For any questions, please contact Dr Nigel Clarke or Prof Frank Tietze

 

Open-Source and Digital Legacy

The teaching activity is shared openly and is designed to be easily adapted to different contexts. All materials, including instructions, slide decks, and briefing notes, is made available under a Creative Commons license, supporting dissemination by educators and institutions globally. 

 

News & Blog articles

Newspaper article

2 June 2025

A short opinion piece by Prof. Tietze was featured in the Brussels Morning Newspaper calling for more innovation within our IPR systems to address global challenges: https://brusselsmorning.com/we-need-strong-intellectual-property-rights-for-a-sustainable-future/73186/

Thought piece: Has Innovation Broken Western Culture? Reflections on Contemporary Western Culture and Possible Innovative Ways Forward

20 May 2025

By Frank Tietze (2025) Western culture today is profoundly shaped by ongoing waves of innovation, a concept close to my heart and to which I have dedicated many years of my professional research and teaching career. Technological innovation particularly has transformed daily life, created jobs, and helped build tech...

New paper published on the Geopolitics of Battery Technologies

20 May 2025

Together with colleagues from the Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy at the University of Muenster, the Fraunhofer Research Institution for Battery Cell Production (FFB) and the Helmholtz Institute Muenster (IMD-4) we have published the results of a patent study investigating the geostrategic race for leadership in...