US-Based Patent Portfolio Analysis

Patent portfolio analysis refers to mapping patents against products.  There are at least three permutations.

First, a company may map its patents against its own products.  The idea is to identify patents associated with generating revenue.  This information may influence whether to pay patent maintenance fees.  Or the company may try to monetize patents that do not generate revenue.

Second, a company may map its patents against the products of a competitor.  This strategy is offensive patent portfolio analysis.  A company may engage in this analysis before filing a patent infringement suit.  Or the company may engage in this analysis for a potential counterclaim if sued.  A company may also use this strategy for cross-licensing purposes.

Third, a company may map another company's patents onto its product line.  This is defensive patent portfolio analysis.  This strategy highlights patent infringement vulnerability.