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IP Portfolio Development

How to align IP strategy with business goals?

We start by analyzing your business plan: which markets you target, what products you launch, and who your competitors are. Based on this, we create a roadmap—prioritizing protection in key revenue-generating countries and focusing on assets (e.g., patents vs. trade secrets) that give you the strongest competitive edge.

What is the benefit of using the Madrid System?

The Madrid System allows you to register a trademark in up to 130 countries by filing a single application with WIPO (via Sakpatenti). It simplifies the process, reduces administrative costs, and makes portfolio management easier, as renewals and changes can be handled centrally.

How often should I review my IP portfolio?

An IP portfolio is not static; it should be reviewed annually or whenever there is a significant business change (e.g., pivot, new product, market exit). Regular "pruning" helps cut costs by abandoning assets that no longer generate value, freeing up budget for new, more relevant protections.

Can I protect my IP in countries where I don't sell yet?

Yes, and often you should. If you plan to enter a market in 2-3 years, registering your trademark now prevents squatters from hijacking it. However, be aware that some countries have "use requirements"—if you don't use the mark within 3-5 years, it can be cancelled for non-use.

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IP Portfolio Development is a long-term strategic process aimed at systematizing, growing, and optimizing a company's intellectual property assets. It is not a one-time registration, but the creation of a set of assets (patents, trademarks, designs) that best serves business goals. A strong portfolio performs two functions: defensive (protecting the company from competitor attacks) and offensive (creating barriers for competitors and generating revenue from licensing). The service involves setting priorities: where to protect (geographic area), what to protect (products, technologies), and how much to spend on it. This is particularly important for exporting companies needing to solidify their IP positions in international markets.

What Does IP Portfolio Development Service Cover?

Strategic consultants and lawyers assist with the following:

  • Strategic Planning: Aligning IP strategy with the business plan (e.g., if the company plans to enter Europe, an EU trademark registration is needed).
  • Portfolio Diversification: Combining different types of protection (e.g., patent for technology + design for product visuals + trademark for brand).
  • Budgeting: Forecasting and optimizing registration and maintenance costs (Annuity fees).
  • International Expansion: Using the Madrid System (WIPO) or PCT applications for effective international protection.
  • Portfolio Pruning: Identifying unprofitable or obsolete assets and abandoning them to save costs.
  • Gap Analysis: Identifying unprotected areas and filling them with new applications.

Real-World Scenarios Where You Need This Service

Portfolio management is critical for growing businesses:

  • Going Global: A wine company starts exporting to China and the USA. The label needs to be registered in these countries immediately before local "trolls" do it.
  • Product Line Expansion: A clothing brand starts producing perfumes. Trademark classes need to be added.
  • Preparing for Investors: A startup wants to show investors it has a strong "IP Moat" against competitors.
  • Cost Reduction: A company is paying a lot for patent maintenance in countries where it no longer operates. Portfolio optimization is needed.

Georgian Legal Framework and Regulations

Portfolio development relies on both local legislation (Patent Law, Law on Trademarks) and international treaties to which Georgia is a party. These include: the Paris Convention (right of priority), the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT), and the Madrid Protocol (international trademark registration). Lawyers use these instruments so the client gets maximum geographic coverage with minimal expenditure. The Tax Code of Georgia is also important, as the creation and maintenance of IP assets are recognized as expenses.

Service Process Step-by-Step

Portfolio management is a cyclical process:

  1. Goal Setting: Studying the company's 3-5 year business plan.
  2. Current State Analysis: What is already protected?
  3. Action Plan: Where and when to file new applications (Roadmap).
  4. Implementation: Preparing and filing applications with Sakpatenti and international offices.
  5. Review and Update: Reviewing and adjusting the portfolio annually based on market changes.

Why Choose Legal.ge?

IP portfolio management requires a global vision and knowledge of international systems. Legal.ge gives you access to experts who can create a strategy tailored to your business growth. With our help, you won't waste money on unnecessary registrations, but you will be protected where it matters most.

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