Reverse engineering
Reverse engineering is the practice of disassembling products to ascertain whether a company is using patented innovations. This multifaceted approach comprises circuit analysis, process analysis, and system analysis.
A prominent Korean semiconductor manufacturing company sought opportunities to monetize a subset of its patent portfolio. This subset comprised patents related to complex communication systems, and the company aimed to identify potential infringers. To address this challenge, the company’s IP director sought a partner with expertise in communication systems and the ability to perform reverse engineering.
Challenges
The initial challenge was to identify suitable targets for patent monetization within the communication industry. This required a comprehensive assessment of potential infringers and their product lines, including network management systems. Additionally, Researchwire needed to map wireless and wired systems patents to these identified product lines. Analyzing product documents, reviewing standards documentation, and performing board-level circuit tracing presented further complexities. To ensure the success of this endeavor, physical inspections, and functional testing were essential, adding another layer of challenge.
Solution
Researchwire was engaged to address these challenges and provide a comprehensive solution. Our experts implemented the following strategies:
Preliminary Assessment: Our team conducted an initial assessment to identify potential infringers, focusing on communication companies and telecom players as likely targets. In-depth analysis of product documents and standards documentation was carried out to establish infringement cases.
Claim Chart Preparation: Over the course of two months, Researchwire prepared twenty-two claim charts to monetize patents.
Product Line Mapping: We identified different product lines, including network management systems, and mapped these against wired and wireless systems patents to pinpoint potential matches.
Results
The collaboration with Researchwire yielded significant results:
Identified Infringers: Potential infringers of the company’s patents were successfully identified within the communication and telecom sectors.
Monetization: Twenty-two claim charts were prepared, facilitating the monetization of patents.
High ROI: The monetization of these patents led to a lucrative return on investment for the client, maximizing the value of their intellectual property assets.
The Conclusion
Reverse engineering, coupled with in-depth analysis and specialized expertise, proved to be a powerful tool for the Korean semiconductor manufacturing company in monetizing its non-core patent portfolio. By leveraging Researchwire’s capabilities and conducting a comprehensive assessment, the company successfully identified infringers, prepared claim charts, and achieved a substantial return on investment. This case study underscores the importance of strategic IP management and the value of reverse engineering in protecting and monetizing intellectual property in a competitive market.
