As the economic climate continues to pose challenges to technology firms, a number of corporations are exploring ways to trim their expenses. At the forefront of these cost-cutting strategies is the concept of applying a strategic pause in patent prosecution.
This strategy may appear counterintuitive at first glance; after all, patenting is typically seen as a strong move to protect a company’s intellectual property. However, according to Lu Yin at Quarles & Brady, deliberately decelerating the patent prosecution process may in fact bring about certain benefits.
The advantages, as Yin outlines, extend beyond mere financial considerations. Taking a pause in patent prosecution can also be of value when dealing with administrative obstacles – such as overcoming objections from patent offices. Moreover, this strategic pause may further prove advantageous in timing the prosecution to coincide with international filings.
It is clear that putting the brakes on the patent prosecution process could potentially offer unexpected strategic benefits. As we move ahead, it is likely that more companies will turn to this approach in an effort to manage their resources and prioritize their intellectual property affairs.