IP Landscape Analysis — IP Landscape Analysis
Enhances the IP strategy analysis capabilities of the patent-mapper and protection-advisor agents.
IP Landscape Analysis Process
5-Step Analysis Procedure
Step 1: Define Technology Scope
- Technology keywords + IPC/CPC codes
- Search query design
Step 2: Data Collection
- KIPRIS (Korea), USPTO (US), EPO (Europe)
- Search range: Last 10-20 years
Step 3: Quantitative Analysis
- Filing trends, applicant rankings, technology classification
- Patent family analysis
Step 4: Qualitative Analysis
- Key patent selection, claims analysis
- White space identification
Step 5: Strategy Derivation
- Opportunity/threat mapping
- Filing/acquisition/licensing/design-around strategies
Patent Map Types
Technology-Timeline Map
2020 2021 2022 2023 2024
Tech A ## ### #### ##### ######
Tech B # ## ### #### ####
Tech C ### ## ## # #
Tech D - - # ## ####
-> Tech A: Rapid growth, Tech D: Emerging
-> Tech C: Declining
Applicant Portfolio Map
| Applicant |
Tech A |
Tech B |
Tech C |
Total |
| Company X |
45 |
32 |
18 |
95 |
| Company Y |
38 |
28 |
25 |
91 |
| Competitor Z |
52 |
15 |
8 |
75 |
| Our Company |
12 |
20 |
5 |
37 |
Citation Network Map
Key patent identification criteria:
- Top 10% by forward citations
- Examiner citations (higher weight)
- Betweenness centrality
White Space Analysis
Technology-Market Matrix
Market A Market B Market C
Tech 1 #### ## .... <- Gap
Tech 2 ### .... ## <- Gap
Tech 3 .... ### #### <- Gap
.... = White Space (no/few filings)
-> Strategic filing opportunities
White Space Types
| Type |
Description |
Strategy |
| Technology Gap |
Unexplored technology area |
Preemptive filing |
| Market Gap |
Unapplied market/region |
Foreign filing |
| Applicant Gap |
Area competitors have not entered |
Rapid portfolio build |
FTO (Freedom to Operate) Analysis
FTO Analysis Procedure
1. Confirm target product/technology specifications
2. Search relevant patents (registered/valid patents)
3. Claims analysis (element-by-element comparison)
4. Infringement risk assessment
- Literal infringement: All elements match
- Doctrine of equivalents: Substantially identical
5. FTO opinion preparation
Infringement Risk Matrix
| Risk |
Infringement Likelihood |
Impact |
Response |
| High |
Literal infringement possible |
Core functionality |
Design-around / License |
| Medium |
Equivalents infringement possible |
Some functionality |
Design-around review |
| Low |
Low infringement likelihood |
Non-core |
Monitoring |
IP Strategy Framework
Offensive/Defensive Strategies
| Strategy |
Purpose |
Means |
| Patent Fence |
Protect core technology |
File surrounding patents |
| Preemptive Filing |
Market entry barrier |
Fast filing on new technology |
| Cross-Licensing |
Mutual practice rights |
Portfolio exchange |
| Defensive Publication |
Block competitor filings |
Publish technology (establish prior art) |
| Patent Pool |
Access standard technology |
Industry-wide joint licensing |
IP Portfolio Optimization
Retention Criteria:
3 stars - Core: Directly business-related, high value
2 stars - Important: Defensive value, revenue potential
1 star - Moderate: Review value vs maintenance cost
Pruning Criteria:
- No business relevance + no licensing demand -> Abandon
- Maintenance cost > value -> Sell or abandon
- Expiring within 3 years + no utilization plan -> Consider abandonment
Renewal Management
Country-Specific Patent Life/Renewal Costs
| Country |
Patent Term |
Renewal Cycle |
Cost Trend |
| Korea |
Filing date + 20 years |
Annual (from year 4) |
Increases annually |
| United States |
Filing date + 20 years |
At 3.5/7.5/11.5 years |
3 stages |
| Europe (EP) |
Filing date + 20 years |
Annual (from year 3) |
Increases annually |
| Japan |
Filing date + 20 years |
Annual (from year 4) |
Increases annually |
| China |
Filing date + 20 years |
Annual |
Increases annually |
Quality Checklist
| Item |
Criteria |
| Search Scope |
IPC/CPC + keyword combination |
| Quantitative Analysis |
Trends, rankings, classification |
| White Space Analysis |
Technology-market matrix |
| FTO |
Core products/technologies covered |
| Strategy |
Offensive/defensive strategies specified |
| Portfolio |
Retention/pruning criteria defined |
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