Identify untapped patent opportunities in your R&D.

Overview

Innovations often stay hidden within research and product development teams because there is no structured process for capturing them. Patent minings and harvests create a deliberate method to surface and evaluate these ideas so that potential intellectual property can be recognized before it is lost. This service focuses on turning research activity into a pipeline of inventions that may be suitable for protection, commercialization, or competitive leverage.

Core Aspects

Invention Capture
R&D teams generate new ideas constantly, but many never leave the lab notebook or design document. Structured disclosure processes and facilitated invention sessions give inventors a channel to share developments. This helps organizations surface technical progress that might otherwise be lost and creates a reliable record for later review.

Evaluation of Patentability
Not every innovation should be patented. Some may be better kept as trade secrets, while others may not justify the cost of filing. Harvesting provides a framework for making these distinctions early. Reviewing disclosures at this stage reduces wasted spend on weak filings and allows more focus on high-value innovations.

Alignment with Business Goals
An invention’s technical merit is only one piece of the puzzle. Harvesting includes considering how potential patents align with product roadmaps, fundraising efforts, or competitive positioning. By tying patent opportunities to business objectives, organizations can prioritize filings that contribute directly to growth and market advantage.

Documentation and Disclosure Management
Even when an idea is not pursued immediately, having a documented disclosure creates options for the future. Harvesting provides a process for capturing details in a format that supports future patent filings, trade secret management, or licensing negotiations. Proper documentation also strengthens internal collaboration by making innovations visible across teams.

Feeding the Pipeline
Harvesting acts as the starting point of the IP lifecycle. Captured inventions can move forward into patent procurement, with strategic guidance to determine priorities and markets, and eventually flow into development of a strong portfolio. This creates continuity between R&D activity and long-term IP strategy and management.

Why It Matters

Without a structured approach, companies risk losing patentable innovations. Once lost, they cannot be recovered. Patent harvesting provides a repeatable process that not only captures these opportunities but ensures they are assessed against business needs. The result is a stronger pipeline of patents that protect core technology and deliver measurable value.

How Lek IP Helps

With a background spanning business, computer science, and chemistry, I approach patent minings and harvests with a focus on both technical substance and commercial context. By working directly with inventors and decision-makers, I help identify which innovations are worth considering for protection and how they fit into the broader intellectual property strategy.