Manage patents as business assets, not just legal formalities.

Overview

A patent portfolio is more than a collection of filings. It is a business asset that requires ongoing oversight, strategic alignment, and financial discipline. Portfolio management focuses on keeping patents organized, cost-effective, and directly tied to business goals, so that resources are invested in the rights that matter most.

Core Aspects

Docket and Maintenance Oversight
Patents require ongoing attention long after they are filed. Portfolio management covers the administration of deadlines, annuities, and ownership records, reducing the risk of missed obligations and keeping assets in good standing.

Asset Prioritization and Pruning
Not all patents deliver the same value. Portfolio reviews assess which assets are central to the business, which are defensive, and which no longer justify ongoing cost. This approach helps concentrate resources where they have the most impact.

Family and Lifecycle Management
A single innovation may generate a family of related patents over time. Decisions on continuations, divisionals, and abandonments shape these families to match product evolution, market opportunities, and competitive positioning.

Cost Control and Budgeting
Patent portfolios can be expensive to maintain. Budget forecasting, annuity optimization, and cost-benefit analysis help align spending with business priorities, making sure resources are allocated where they have the greatest impact.

Integration with Broader Strategy
A portfolio should evolve alongside the company. Management of the portfolio relies on the priorities and goals set through strategic IP counseling, and builds on procured patents and is continually growing through patent minings and harvests. Together, these elements link daily administration to long-term strategy.

Why It Matters

Without active oversight, portfolios often become expensive and unfocused. Regular review helps confirm that each patent has a defined role, whether that role is protecting core technology, supporting fundraising, creating licensing opportunities, or securing exit opportunities. A well-managed portfolio shifts intellectual property from being a cost center to becoming a tool for growth.

How Lek IP Helps

Christian brings both technical fluency and business experience to portfolio management. This perspective supports clear recommendations on which assets to maintain, how to control spend, and how to keep portfolios aligned with evolving business goals. The result is a streamlined, business-focused approach to IP that emphasizes value over volume.