1. Intellectual Property Management Services

1.1 Development of business case focused IP strategies

• IP commercialization strategies based on defined business cases, products, services, technologies and R&D core areas, markets, manufacturing locations as well as analysis of competitors
• IP protection strategies aligned with IP commercialization strategies under consideration of options for by-passing the claims, available budgets, strategies of potential licensees etc.
• Development as well as implementation of IP related processes:
Invention disclosure and evaluation-, patent filing-, general stop-or-go decision-, competitor monitoring-, evaluation of dependencies on third party rights (FTO)-, and budgeting-, internal communication- and teaching-process 


1.2 Patent landscape analysis

• Patent search in relevant technology or product fields
• Patent statistics/bibliometric analysis: number of patents, dominant applicants 
etc. in different classes per year, per region etc.
• Citation analysis based on expertise of patent examiners
• Identification of patent activities in specific technological fields and positioning of own patents (3-D illustration)
• Identification of innovation potential: trends, market niches and opportunities

1.3 Freedom to operate (FTO) analysis

• Patent search inclusive first evaluation/prioritization of identified results
• Legal status analysis of relevant patent families: identification of valid patents
• Claim chart analysis of selected valid patents or assessment of possible protection coverage of not yet granted but filed patents
• Evaluation of possible dependencies as well as conclusions and recommendations

1.4 Invention evaluation

• Assessment regarding legal, technical, economical, financial and strategic criteria as e.g. ownership, patentability, market potential and target customers, chances for return-on-investment, feasibility, chances/risks (SWOT) as well as “soft factors”
• Development of potential exploitation models and options
• Recommendations for patenting and exploitation strategy including milestones 
(stage-gate process)

1.5 IP marketing (technology push)

• Development as well as verification of exploitation strategy
• Preparation of required documents like technology offer, information 
memorandum
• Identification and establishment of first contacts with potential partners: Licensees, collaboration partners, investors or intermediaries
• Follow-up with contact process, development of possible business cases with one or more partners 


1.6 Scouting for technologies or collaboration partners (market pull)

• Defining the need and development of search profile for technologies, products or 
collaboration partners
• Publication of search profile on web platform for technology brokering
• Search in specialized databases as well as participation in partnering events
• Identification and contacting of potential partners
• Offers for available technologies, products or collaborations
• Clearing of IP issues as well as definition of in-licensing strategy 


1.7 Education and training for internal staff in IP related fields

• Tailoring of training programs: in-house, online and external education events
• Lecturing at and moderation of workshops, seminars and trainings
• Mentoring of IP staff and/or R&D collaborators

2. IP protection

2.1 Patent filing, prosecution and administration

• Preparation and filing of priority applications
• Preparation and filing of follow-up applications: PCT, national phase in various countries
  
• Handling and administration of intellectual property rights: due time monitoring, annuity payments, tracking of patent prosecution process
• Estimation of required patent budgets for existing and new patents and patent portfolios
• Advice on patent enforcement strategies
• Enforcement of patent rights in South Africa and in foreign jurisdictions

2.2 Registered Design filing and prosecution

• Preparation and filing of priority applications
  
• Preparation and filing of follow-up applications: national phase
  
• Handling and administration of rights: due time monitoring, annuity payments, tracking of design prosecution process
  
• Estimation of required design budgets for existing and new design portfolios
  
• Advice on design enforcement strategies
  
• Enforcement of design rights in South Africa and in foreign jurisdictions

2.3 Trade Mark filing and prosecution

• Trade mark availability searches and registrability advice in South Africa and foreign jurisdictions
  
• Preparation and filing of trade mark applications in South Africa and foreign jurisdictions
  
• Handling and administration of trade marks: due time monitoring, renewal payments, tracking of trade mark prosecution process
  
• Monitoring of conflicting trade mark applications and oppositions
  
• Advice on trade mark enforcement strategies
  
• Enforcement of trade mark rights in South Africa and in foreign jurisdictions

2.4 Domain names

• Search for available domain names
  
• Registration of domain names in South Africa and in foreign jurisdictions
  
• Hosting of domain names (in anticipation of website hosting)
  
• Enforcement of domain name rights
  
• Handling of domain name disputes

2.5 Copyright

• Advise clients on various forms of copyright protection
  
• Agreements related to copyright and transfer of copyright
  
• Copyright enforcement in South Africa and in foreign jurisdictions
  
• Registration of copyright where applicable

2.6 Common Law rights

• Enforcement of common law IP rights including rights to well known marks
  
• Litigation related to unlawful competition and passing-off

3. Negotiation and drafting of IP and commercial agreements

• Support in development and improvement of negotiation position
  
• Support or leading the negotiation process
  
• Development of term sheets
  
• Defining, evaluating, revising or finalizing draft agreements
  
• Type of agreements: Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDAs), Material Transfer Agreement (MTAs), option agreements, licensing agreements, assignments, escrow agreements, hypothecation agreements, R&D collaboration agreements, contract research agreements, consortia agreements, shareholders agreements, subscription agreements, publication agreements, advertising agreements, sponsorship agreements

4. South African Research and Development (R&D) Tax incentives

• Identification and assessment of R&D activities that qualify for the SA Tax incentive
  
• Financial review of the R&D expenditure in line with the legislative requirements
  
• Preparation and submission of all required dossiers for tax incentives to the relevant government departments
  
• Drafting of technical motivations to substantiate tax incentive applications to the the SA Government
  
• Tax Incentive claim prosecution both procedural and substantial