Do you believe that your patents aren’t yielding the profits you should be getting? There is an improved method. To assist you in creating an IP portfolio that leads its category, there is a cutting-edge method that emphasises the “3Cs”: creativity, clarity, and control. It ignites a burst of invention that makes your patents stick out from the competition. It identifies the sweet spot in rapidly expanding areas, enabling you to make investments ahead of rivals and increase your profits. Read this blog to learn more.

Tesla is still the epitome of attention-grabbing inventions and production of intellectual property (IP). In June, the business began shipping its completely rebuilt luxury Model S sedan. However, what distinguishes Tesla from its rivals is the less obvious technology that, at least initially, has little to do with driving skill. In addition to artificial intelligence and other cutting edge technology, the corporation has recently increased the pace at which it is developing safety measures.

From its establishment in 2003 until March 2021, Tesla has amassed more than 580 patents in its patent portfolio, as per a joint investigation by Nikkei and Tokyo analytics firm Intellectual Property Rights Landscape on applications and disclosures. The majority of the patents (281 in total) fall under the category of electrical machinery, with 168 more falling within the transportation category (which also includes user operation). 

Tesla ranks seventh in terms of the number of patents for innovation it possesses, with 29 of them being linked to thermal processes and apparatus. Despite the collection’s small size, its contents show how strong Tesla is at preserving its competitive edge.

The performance of an EV is significantly impacted by the heat produced by batteries. Heat accumulation may also have an impact on safety. Since a Tesla car runs on a series of tiny, cylindrical lithium-ion batteries, managing heat will be essential.

Tesla’s heat management system patent with a coolant loop was scored highest among heat control patents from various companies by Intellectual Property Landscape based on the quantity of citations and adaptability.

(Source: Nikkei Asia)


Global Patent Overview

Global patent applications increased by 1.7% in 2022. The activity of filings for industrial designs and trademarks decreased by 2.1% and 14.5%, respectively. Globally, there were 3.46 million patent submissions, 15.5 million trademark filings, and slightly less than 1.5 million industrial design filings. Utility model applications, a unique type of patent property, had a 2.9% increase to 3 million applications for open innovation.

In 2022, the IP offices of China, the US, Japan, the Republic of Korea, and the EPO accounted for around 85% of all patent submissions. China made up 46.8% of the global total.

In 2023, China’s Huawei Technologies continued to be the leading worldwide PCT application filer. Samsung Electronics of South Korea, Qualcomm of the United States, Mitsubishi Electric of Japan, and BOE Technology Group of China came next. Eight of the top ten users were from North-East Asia.

3 C’s of Category Leading Patent Portfolios

A partner of Tntra, Strong Force is an innovation business that creates, innovates, and leads a market category through IP management in technology in unique ways using proprietary processes. The “3Cs” of creativity, clarity, and control are part of its technique since they are seen as the essential elements of a workable “blueprint” for an IP portfolio that leads its category.

  • Creativity
    In addition to providing the innovation and nonobviousness necessary for solo patents within a category, creativity serves as the primary fuel that distinguishes the entities and workflows within a category. By dissecting creative threads into their component “vectors” and “building blocks” and then reassembling them into a variety of permutations and combinations, the Strong Force methodology expands raw creativity in a geometric way.
  • Clarity
    Although the majority of tactical patenting initiatives have fair chances of yielding positive returns, patent portfolios are only truly valuable when they distinguish themselves from other patents for invention in a highly valuable area. Even a patent portfolio that leads its category could only produce mediocre returns if investments are made too soon. Competitive patents may demand a portion of the income that would otherwise go to the leader if the investment is made too late. Thus, when a category is growing quickly, it can be wise to start investing in a sweet spot, four or five years ahead of product firms, that leads to category-leading domination. Seeking “clarity,” or matching IP investment with thorough market analysis, is a common practice even though there is no crystal ball that can enhance the returns on IP investments.

    Furthermore, companies typically create in isolation, failing to recognise the opportunities for cross-functional collaboration. In domains where technology converges and silos vanish, a combinatorial approach such as the one employed by Strong Force can frequently offer an early indicator of clarity. Lastly, when others have so far failed to see the big picture, Intellectual Property specialists can leverage patent landscape analytics, bolstered by automation and artificial intelligence, to find advantageous technologies and subcategories.
  • Control
    A portfolio of strategically linked patents can give some degree of control over innovation throughout a category, and each patent grants a legal monopoly over its claimed subject matter. Value can be derived from control in a variety of ways. Product suites can be protected from competitors by portfolio owners. Patents that “box-in” rival items can offset third-party dangers. Patents can be licenced to create income or spark joint ventures for development. In the end, a portfolio can function as a very valuable strategic lever by managing both entry into and behaviour within a category.

The Bottom Line

Examining a programme or IP strategy at the beginning could be beneficial in creating some control over destiny. Increasing your product portfolio could provide you more control over the product. The risk of litigation resulting from dispersed claims might also be covered. A strong, category-leading IP portfolio may be attained by making sure the three Cs—Clarity, Control, and Creativity—are present in your patent portfolio.

If you are looking for a software product engineering company that can help you with intellectual property for your latest innovation, Tntra is the right partner for you! 

Schedule a FREE CONSULTATION Call today!