Title: A TRIZ-based approach to manage innovation and intellectual property

Authors: D. Regazzoni, C. Rizzi, R. Nani

Addresses: Dipartimento di Ingegneria Industriale, Universita di Bergamo, Viale Marconi, 5, 24044 Dalmine (BG), Italy. ' Dipartimento di Ingegneria Industriale, Universita di Bergamo, Viale Marconi, 5, 24044 Dalmine (BG), Italy. ' Scinte Consultant, Via Adelasio, 22, 24020, Ranica (BG), Italy

Abstract: In this paper, we present a methodology and a working paradigm, based on TRIZ theory, specifically conceived for SMEs that are not able to face the problem of intellectual property management (IPM) in an autonomous way. As a first step, we introduce the competences and possible company structure to manage and protect intellectual property (IP) by means of patents and trademarks; then we describe the methodologies and the tools, which can be used for IPM, such as those derived from TRIZ. Finally, we describe a case study which refers to a typical example of know-how transfer from a technological leading sector to the large production of consumable products showing the use of considered TRIZ tools.

Keywords: patents; intellectual property management; small and medium-sized enterprises; SMEs; TRIZ; service theories; inventive problem-solving; working paradigms; competences; company structures; intellectual property protection; patents; trademarks; know-how transfer; technological sector; consumable products; technology transfer; aerospace industry; wireless communication; innovation management; technology management.

DOI: 10.1504/IJTM.2011.041953

International Journal of Technology Management, 2011 Vol.55 No.3/4, pp.274 - 285

Published online: 06 Apr 2013 *

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