METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR RATING PATENTS AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS
First Claim
1. A computer-implemented statistical method for estimating an expected value for at least one selected intellectual property asset or group of intellectual property assets sought to be appraised or valued, the method comprising the following steps:
- estimating a value distribution curve for the type of intellectual property asset selected and/or data representative thereof, wherein the shape of the curve is selected or determined to correspond to an estimated statistical distribution of probable or expected intellectual property asset values;
wherein the value distribution curve is based on statistical analysis of renewal fees charged by a government intellectual property rights granting office for maintaining the selected type of intellectual property assets;
determining by a computer system a score or ranking for said at least one selected intellectual property asset or group of intellectual property assets based on one or more measured qualities or metrics determined or assumed to be statistically or probabilistically correlated to the value distribution curve based on renewal fees;
wherein the qualities or metrics comprise at least one of a forward citation rate, a claim count, or a technology field; and
using by the computer system the determined score or ranking and the estimated value distribution curve or data representative thereof to determine an estimated expected value for said intellectual property asset or group of intellectual property assets;
whereby said determined expected value is functionally correlated to said determined score or ranking.
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Abstract
A statistical patent rating method and system is provided for independently assessing the relative breadth (“B”), defensibility (“D”) and commercial relevance (“R”) of individual patent assets and other intangible intellectual property assets. The invention provides new and valuable information that can be used by patent valuation experts, investment advisors, economists and others to help guide future patent investment decisions, licensing programs, patent appraisals, tax valuations, transfer pricing, economic forecasting and planning, and even mediation and/or settlement of patent litigation lawsuits. In one embodiment the invention provides a statistically-based patent rating method and system whereby relative ratings or rankings are generated using a database of patent information by identifying and comparing various characteristics of each individual patent to a statistically determined distribution of the same characteristics within a given patent population. For example, a first population of patents having a known relatively high intrinsic value or quality (e.g. successfully litigated patents) is compared to a second population of patents having a known relatively low intrinsic value or quality (e.g. unsuccessfully litigated patents). Based on a statistical comparison of the two populations, certain characteristics are identified as being more prevalent or more pronounced in one population group or the other to a statistically significant degree. Multiple such statistical comparisons are used to construct and optimize a computer model or computer algorithm that can then be used to predict and/or provide statistically-accurate probabilities of a desired value or quality being present or a future event occurring, given the identified characteristics of an individual patent or group of patents.
145 Citations
26 Claims
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1. A computer-implemented statistical method for estimating an expected value for at least one selected intellectual property asset or group of intellectual property assets sought to be appraised or valued, the method comprising the following steps:
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estimating a value distribution curve for the type of intellectual property asset selected and/or data representative thereof, wherein the shape of the curve is selected or determined to correspond to an estimated statistical distribution of probable or expected intellectual property asset values;
wherein the value distribution curve is based on statistical analysis of renewal fees charged by a government intellectual property rights granting office for maintaining the selected type of intellectual property assets;determining by a computer system a score or ranking for said at least one selected intellectual property asset or group of intellectual property assets based on one or more measured qualities or metrics determined or assumed to be statistically or probabilistically correlated to the value distribution curve based on renewal fees;
wherein the qualities or metrics comprise at least one of a forward citation rate, a claim count, or a technology field; andusing by the computer system the determined score or ranking and the estimated value distribution curve or data representative thereof to determine an estimated expected value for said intellectual property asset or group of intellectual property assets; whereby said determined expected value is functionally correlated to said determined score or ranking. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A computer-implemented process for generating an intellectual property asset valuation prepared or calculated in accordance with the following steps:
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identifying a selected intellectual property asset or group of assets to be valued; estimating a value distribution curve and/or data representative thereof, the size and shape of the curve being selected or determined to correspond to an approximate or estimated statistical distribution of probable or expected asset values for said selected intellectual property asset or group of assets and/or for a selected reference population of similar intellectual property assets, wherein the value distribution curve is based on statistical analysis of renewal fees charged by government intellectual property rights granting offices for maintaining the selected type of intellectual property assets; determining a value probability score or ranking for said selected intellectual property asset or group of assets based on one or more factors determined or assumed to be statistically or probabilistically correlated to the value distribution curve based on renewal fees;
wherein the factors comprise at least a forward citation rate; andusing the determined probability score or ranking and the estimated value distribution curve or data representative thereof to determine an estimated expected value for said selected intellectual property asset or group of assets. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A computer-implemented statistical method for estimating an expected value for a selected intellectual property asset or group of intellectual property assets sought to be appraised or valued, the method comprising the following steps:
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estimating via computer a value distribution curve for the type of intellectual property asset selected and/or data representative thereof, wherein the shape of the curve is selected or determined to correspond to an estimated statistical distribution of probable or expected intellectual property asset values;
wherein the value distribution curve is based in part on statistical analysis of renewal fees charged by government rights granting offices for maintaining the selected type of intellectual property assets,wherein the shape of said value distribution curve is approximately lognormal; determining via computer a score or ranking for said selected intellectual property asset or group of intellectual property assets based in part on one or more measured qualities or metrics determined or assumed to be statistically or probabilistically correlated to the value distribution curve based on renewal fees; wherein the qualities or metrics comprise a forward citation rate; and using via computer the determined score or ranking and the estimated value distribution curve or data representative thereof to determine an estimated expected value for said intellectual property asset or group of intellectual property assets. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26)
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Specification