The term "patent mapping" is used by many patent firms to describe a particular service offered by them, however the services, and the term’s  meaning, varies widely.

Broadly speaking, the mapping of patents is an exercise by which a simple visual representation is produced to illustrate how a number of patents relate to each other. The differences between the types of patent mapping services offered by firms generally relates to how the map is prepared, what information it includes and how it is represented in the final ‘map’.

There are a number of patent mapping software packages available on the market. These can be used to pull together and illustrate the various relationships between patents in a particular field that are somehow linked to any one (or more) specific patent(s), for example those that are owned by the client.

Hepworth Browne’s approach to patent mapping is to first develop an understanding of four key elements about the client’s  business; the patent portfolio, the products, the competitors and the overall corporate strategy. We then prepare a patent map that illustrates the interaction between these key elements and that identifies any gaps in both protection and exploitation. A frequent follow on service, once the patent map is developed, is to help our clients’ research and identify prospective licensees as well as any complementary technologies that might be purchased or licensed-in.

For more information about patent mapping please contact Jason Lessard on +44 (0)845 270 4900 or by email at jdl@hepworthbrowne.com