For Patent Information: http://patentsbyidventors.ourprofile.org The firm provides a comprehensive service in most technical fields and in sufficient depth to offer specialized expertise in various fields of science and technology. It routinely offers professional advice on patent validity and infringement and can supervise both offensive and defensive litigation in the Patent Office. IDVENTORS has expertise in all technical areas including electronics, optics, computer software, biotechnology, chemistry, pharmaceuticals, and mechanical, civil and electrical engineering. We keep abreast of the latest developments in technology and patent law, and continue to be involved in some of the leading cases in biotechnology, electronics and computer-related inventions. Our areas of expertise can be broadly classified as: 1.      BIOSCIENCES & PHARMACEUTICALS Biotechnology, Plant Varieties, Microorganisms, Diagnostic and Diagnostic Equipments, Healthcare and Medicinal Chemistry.   2.      ENGG. TECHNOLOGY                                                                                                             Physical Sciences, Electrical Sciences, Mechanical Engineering & Mechanical Devices, Food Technology.   3.      FORMULATIONS & FORMULATION TECHNOLOGY Chemicals, Agrochemicals, Petrochemicals, Industrial Chemistry, Materials, Textiles, Polymers, Detergents, Cosmetics and Metallurgy.   4.      ELECTRONICS AND COMMUNICATIONS   5.      COMPUTER SOFTWARE, COMPUTING & e-COMMERCE   6.      START-up TECHNOLOGIES IP challenges for start-ups For technology start-up companies, including university spinouts, the IP stakes are high.  Generally speaking, intellectual property will be vital to getting the company off the ground and to its growth and prosperity.  Investment funding will depend on a strong IP portfolio, as will partnerships with larger companies and licensing deals to generate revenue.  IP will provide the reassurance of exclusivity as the business begins to trade and persuades others to take it seriously. Yet in the early days of a start-up, IP can often be neglected.  A shortage of time and money, and limited understanding of IP issues, can combine to create a reluctance to tackle this difficult area.  IP is an expensive commodity, and there is rarely a short-term return on the investment. At this stage, it's tempting to view IP as a series of discrete tasks – patent applications, for instance – rather than as part of a wider, more coherent strategy.  This then makes it difficult to decide what to protect and when, and all too easy to fall for "quick fix" solutions which ultimately limit your longer-term options.  It's also hard to establish the right balance between your commercial needs and your IP position when planning R & D activities. The need for an early IP strategy As a start-up it's important to be aware of your IP, and of your competitors' IP, right from the beginning.  And since IP will be helping you to achieve your business objectives, you need an IP strategy that complements your business plan.  That strategy will allow you to focus your resources more appropriately on IP that's important to the core business, and to ensure that your IP portfolio grows far enough ahead of the business to be in place ready to support your commercial activities. Having an IP strategy from early on helps to reduce IP-related risks, or better still to turn them into strategic opportunities.  It also increases the efficiency with which you can handle your IP issues.