Method and system for valuing intangible assets

• US 20040010393A1
• Filed: 03/25/2003
• Published: 01/15/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 03/25/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: PatentRatings, LLC
• Original Assignee: PatentRatings, LLC
• Inventors: Barney, Jonathan A.
• Application Number:
  US10/397,053
• Publication Number:
  US 20040010393A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 702/181
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management

Abstract

The present invention provides a method and system for valuing patent assets based on statistical survival analysis. An estimated value probability distribution curve is calculated for an identified group of patent assets using statistical analysis of PTO maintenance fee records. Expected valuations for individual patent assets are calculated based on a the value distribution curve and a comparative ranking or rating of individual patent assets relative to other patents in the group of identified patents. Patents having the highest percentile rankings would be correlated to the high end of the value distribution curve. Conversely, patents having the lowest percentile rankings would be correlated to the low end of the value distribution curve. Advantageously, such approach brings an added level of discipline to the overall valuation process in that the sum of individual patent valuations for a given patent population cannot exceed the total aggregate estimated value of all such patents. In this manner, fair and informative valuations can be provided based on the relative quality of the patent asset in question without need for comparative market data of other patents or patent portfolios, and without need for a demonstrated (or hypothetical) income streams for the patent in question. Estimated valuations are based simply on the allocation of a corresponding portion of the overall patent value “pie” as represented by each patents'"'"' relative ranking or position along a value distribution curve

Claims

1. A method for calculating an estimated value probability distribution curve for an identified group of patent assets using statistical analysis of PTO maintenance fee records.

2. A method for calculating an expected value for individual patent assets based on a calculated value probability distribution and a comparative ranking or rating of individual patent assets derived from objective patent metrics statistically linked to either high or low maintenance rates.

3. A method for valuing individual patent assets based a determined value probability distribution and a calculated rating or ranking comprising the following steps:

selecting a first population of patents having a first quality or characteristic;

selecting a second population of patents is selected having a second quality or characteristic that is different from the first quality or characteristic;

statistically analyzing said first and second populations to determine or identify one or more patent metrics having either a positive or negative correlation with either said first or second quality to a statistically significant degree;

constructing a regression model using the identified patent metric(s), said regression model being generally predictive of either the first or second quality being present in a given patent;

using the regression model to rank patents by positively weighting or scoring patents having the positively correlated patent metrics and negatively weighting or scoring patents having the negatively correlated patent metrics; and

estimating expected values for individual patent assets based on the said value probability distribution and the comparatively ranking or rating for each individual patent asset.

4. A method for valuing individual selected patents using a patent value distribution curve and/or data representative thereof wherein the shape of the curve is selected to correspond to an estimated distribution of patent values according to percentile rankings within a predetermined patent population and wherein the area under the curve is generally proportional to the total approximated value of all patents in the predetermined patent population.