Technology transfer, and the exchange of patents in particular, entering a phase reflecting a maturing of the practice. In the past I’ve reported about the Ocean Tomo patent auctions based on open-outcry bidding. Recently two additional efforts are starting. First, the Licensing executives Society (LES) recently adopted a certification process for those active in tech transfer – the Certified Licensing Professional (CLP). LES codifies and administers the certification process. The second change is Open-IP.org, a nascient effort to establish data interchange standards for listing intellectual property (IP), and a server service for accumulating and disseminating IP offerings.
Together these efforts reflect a certain maturity in that industry, and also perhaps a defensive ‘circling of the wagons’ for active participants. At times I use analogies in real property to explain basic artifacts of intellectual property. The same holds true here. The CLP may evolve into a marketing value like the ‘Realtor®’ designation, and the Open-IP effort analogous to real estate’s Multiple Listing Service.
Watch for patents covering these business methods.