Patents have become very important assets for companies and individuals to exploit in this knowledge-based economy currently. Patents are essentially modes of IP protection and also monetization channels. The buying and selling of patents have become part and parcel of the strategies of various industries, considering the current trend towards globalization. It is therefore a very challenging proposition to identify which platforms offer the best venues for the buying and selling of patents globally. We now enter into numerous sites sprouting up offering trade in the purchase and selling of patents and intellectual property. This will allow us to analyze massive, large established patent marketplaces, niched, and specific platforms for what they are offering, what are the benefits and considerations in joining. To inventors wishing to sell patents, and firms willing to acquire a patent, understanding these websites could be precious to make that intelligent decision.
What are patents, and why do they matter?
Well before getting into platforms, it helps to understand a little about patents and why the business world works the way that it does in terms of how patents are supposed to be enforced. A patent is part of intellectual property that gives a person the right to an invention-for typically 20 years from its filing date-that allows the owner the exclusive right to prevent others from manufacturing, using, or selling the invented product without someone’s permission who owns said patent. Patents relate to innovation in technology, pharmaceuticals, engineering, and consumer goods. Through a patent, one secures their inventions and innovations against competing products of other companies and producers. On the other hand, patents act as alternative sources of income where one can license or sell the rights to others. Patent trading sites is what this venture should enable owners of patents to monetize their IP and give others offering to purchase valuable patents to meet their business needs.
Why Do Global Platforms for Buying and Selling Patents Need to Exist?
The world of patents has undergone some radical changes in recent times. Digital technology and global markets, which in most cases have interdependence in business practices, have ensured that patent transactions are no longer confined to being national or regional. Businesses that want to expand their scope of operation may look for patents that exist in the other markets so as not to lose the competitive advantage they have. In this case, the inventor can realize a better opportunity in selling or licensing patents in all parts of the world.
Therefore, considering that patent laws are quite complex and patent valuations, with the numbers of patents worldwide, a selection in the proper platform to facilitate the process would be quite vital for buying and selling. Connecting buyers and sellers might not be enough; tools and services meant to ensure that the transactions become fair and help ease the process, besides providing protection through law, are fundamental components.
What Are the Best Platforms for Buying and Selling Patents Worldwide?
Many areas exist where the increasing demand to buy and sell patents worldwide can be met. Platforms may approach and differ in ease of use and the services they offer. Some of the best known ones are discussed below with an overview of what the features are that distinguish them.
1. IAM Market
IAM Market is a marketplace that one can say among the world’s largest markets as far as buying and selling of patents worldwide is concerned. IAM Market is owned by IAM Media, which indeed is a house-hold brand name in this world of IP. IAM market unites any patent owner with any interested specific company or even investor who are willing to license and buy such IP rights.
Features
• Global: IAM Market allows a wide global reach and helps in transactions between parties globally.
•Verified Listings: The patents are maintained through a verified database and thus the listings are relied upon both by buyers and sellers.
• Patent Valuation: IAM Market provides patent valuation services that are more revealing of what the given patent is worth to the buyer and the seller.
• Professional Advice: Buyers and sellers can seek advice from patent professionals who can help in all negotiations and legal matters.
Why IAM Market?
IAM Market is a professional, robust patent transaction environment trusted by the world’s leading corporations, law firms, and patent brokers. It is the ideal place for those looking to buy or sell patents globally.
2. PatentBuddy
PatentBuddy is an easy-to-use site that has been designed particularly for patent buyers, sellers, and licensors. Multiple services enable people to easily list and search patents.
•Patent Search: A search engine that allows filtering patent listings using keywords, patent numbers, and categories.
•Easy Listing Process: Sellers can list their patents on the platform without much hassle. This makes getting the patents in front of a potential buyer not very difficult at all.
•Global Marketplace: PatentBuddy helps connecting users globally as well by making their inventions give exposure worldwide.
Why PatentBuddy?
PatentBuddy is for those who want to sell or license their patents and want it done without complicated negotiations. This online marketplace is probably one of the easiest ways to approach patent transactions.
3. IP Marketplace
This IP Marketplace is actually an online buying and selling exchange for patents besides other intellectual properties. It has been maintained by the European Patent Office but extends to global products.
Features
- Global Network: Even though it is a marketplace that is focused on Europe, it does offer global visibility and trades.
- Patent Search: The buyer can search for patents in several industries and technologies, thereby enhancing the possibility of finding an appropriate patent for acquisition.
- License or Sell: The seller can post patents up for either outright sale or licensing.
- Patent Valuation Tools: IP Marketplace provides the tools to its users to value the market price of patents, thus helping in making better decisions.
Why IP Marketplace?
The IP Marketplace is ideal for those users who are looking for a dependable and authentic organization like the European Patent Office. This market place’s global network and value-added patent tools are suitable for buyers and sellers alike.
4. PatSnap
PatSnap is a leading intellectual property analytics and management platform. More services are offered than just the buying or selling of patents; users can gain insights on acquiring or licensing possibilities with the full management of their whole patent portfolio.
Features
- Comprehensive IP Analytics: Utilizing PatSnap allows for deep patent analytics that give a clear view of landscapes and opportunities for patents.
- Patent search and due diligence for acquisition purposes.
- International Patent Database: PatSnap captures the global landscape of patents, with millions of patent data entries from multiple jurisdictions.
- Patent Licensing and Sales: It offers a patent license and provides a marketplace for buying and selling patents.
Why PatSnap?
The second one is PatSnap, which has analytics combined with marketplace capabilities that suit any business or individual seeking to make smart decisions while buying or selling patents worldwide. In addition, it caters to individuals working in industries in which patent intelligence plays a vital role in keeping ahead of the competition.
5. IdeaBuyer
IdeaBuyer is dedicated to helping the inventor and companies license and sell their patents and ideas. It is a website that caters to people with patentable ideas or patents who want to monetize them.
Features:
- Patent Licensing and Selling: IdeaBuyer helps patent owners find licensing deals or outright sales of their patents.
- Invention Marketing: It markets inventions and patents to a global audience, increasing the chances of getting interested buyers.
- Patent Valuation Services: IdeaBuyer offers patent valuation services so the seller can tell what is a market value for his patents
- Idea-to-Patent Pipeline: A tool to advance an inventor through the pipeline: idea, toward patent, licensable or patent and sale
Why Choose IdeaBuyer
IdeaBuyer is the best place for inventors or small businesses that need to stretch their patents or ideas before the international market and seek a helping hand throughout. Since it majorly deals in invention marketing coupled with patent assessment, IdeaBuyer occupies much of the market share.
6. Patents Auction
The patents auction is the online site to auction your patents to the willing buyers. It is established so that the seller gets a better chance of getting people to bid on your patents.
Features:
Patent Auctions: Patents can be sold by an owner to a higher bidder thus assuring sale value in a fair market price.
Global Network: Buyers as well as the sellers can conduct their auctions as there are those worldwide.
Categories in Listing: This ensures categorization of the patents such that a potential buyer may find exactly the patents of interest.
- Patents Authenticity: The patents from the website list are authenticated for legitimacy and legal validity. Why Patents Auction?
This is where those seeking competitive bids and an opportunity to reach higher sale prices come in. The auction model provides a true guarantee of reasonable market value for the patents.
7. Tynax
Tynax is another global giant while discussing the purchase and sale of patents across the globe. This is one marketplace for the intellectual property asset, which will include patents, trademarks, etc.
Features
- Patent and IP Listings- Tynax offers full listings of patents in which buyers or sellers can enlist and search about the intellectual properties.
- Global Coverage– All users in this site will give global patent trade with worldwide reach.
- Monetization of Patents: Tynax has a limited number of monetization options on patents. Examples of such an option include sales, licensing, and joint ventures.
- Patent Information: Tynax gives the bidder precise patent information prior to purchase
Why Tynax?
Tynax is massive and focuses only on international patent transactions, making this service ideal for the buyer and seller. Its several monetization options and data details make it a good platform for a person to buy and sell patents globally.
Conclusion:
Best Sites to Buy and Sell Patents Globally, Hence, there are many markets through which you can sell patents across the globe. It may vary with different functionalities and services that a global market would be offering. Therefore, if one is an owner of patents or an inventor who is interested in selling one’s patent, or even an enterprise in the lookout for intellectual property, or a licensing individual who has technology up for sale, then the information contained below would serve quite handy for all. The options range from the more generic marketplaces, such as IAM Market and IP Marketplace, to smaller niches-specific platforms that deal within patent areas, like Idea Buyer and Patents Auctions. It provides a platform for patent owners to secure the maximum value for their intellectual property and also for buyers looking to invest in valuable patents to fuel business.
FAQ
1. What is a patent marketplace?
A patent marketplace is that web-based platform bringing a patent buyer in contact with its seller. It offers patents alongside other forms of intellectual property up for sale, licensing, and auction.
2. What do I look out for in the patent platform?
Check if accessible worldwide, simple to use and the listing fee, services by the website.
3. Am I obliged to engage the attorney for selling the patent?
The attorney is not necessary to be present for you to sell the patent, at least that one will be cautious and smart to hire a solicitor who would validate the license or selling arrangement so it can be valid or to cover and protect rights.
4. Am I required to include patent auctioning in the options of selling patents?
Patent auctions are good if you need a competitive price for that patent. However, it doesn’t always mean a high sale price is guaranteed since it will be determined by demand.
5. How do I know if my patent is worth something?
One may even estimate the value of one’s patent, given its novelty, demand in the market, licensing and competitive advantage in the industry. Many websites offer patent valuation services that help one do this.
