The Importance of a Sound Patent Plan in the Solid State Lighting Industry

This article by Finnegan partner, Darren M. Jiron, discusses the explosive growth in the solid state lighting industry and the importance of having a sound patent plan to allow organizations to make competitive decisions while reducing the risk of costly litigation or late-stage design changes.  Additionally, Mr. Jiron states that companies that invest in developing a strong patent portfolio will be better equipped to protect their space in the market and may have a source of leverage against others seeking to enforce patent rights.  Mr. Jiron details out that a sound patent plan should address each of these areas: knowing the patent landscape, developing a strong patent portfolio, creating a patent action plan, and offensive and defensive planning.  Mr. Jiron concludes that the patent system offers opportunities for effectively competing and for defending market space in the solid state lighting technology area and to advantage of these opportunities as competitors are most likely doing just that.