‘Dismantling the Barriers – Are SMEs using the patent system effectively?’
WHO: A world leader in the provision of patent and scientific information
The client is the world’s leading provider of patent and scientific information with a range of well-established proprietary products and services for information professionals and end-users. Through regular research and analysis commissioned from IRN, the client has built up knowledge of the use of the patent information system by various user groups and industries in Europe and the US.
WHAT: The understanding of the patent system by SMEs across Europe and their use of patent information systems
The client already had a significant customer base amongst the larger companies in the chemical, pharmaceutical, biotechnology and engineering sectors and had an understanding of their patent use and patent information needs. In this project, the emphasis was to ascertain the use made of the patent system and patent information systems by SMEs in various European countries, and to identify any differences between countries. The research conclusions were used to consider ways of improving patent access and patent information systems for SMEs.
WHY IRN: A highly skilled team in the UK with an extensive knowledge of the patenting system, fluency in all the major European languages
The survey was based around 974 structured telephone interviews with SMEs in 7 European areas – UK, Germany, Italy, France, Spain, Netherlands, Sweden/Finland. The SME samples were also segmented by industry sectors – chemicals, pharmaceuticals, engineering, other manufacturing.
THE RESULT: An in-depth report based on high level analysis from telephone interviews with SMEs across Europe which was widely publicised in the press
The study represented the first attempt to research patent use by SMEs in Europe. It provided the client with useful data and analysis on which to base service developments targeted at this specific group. The research noted that European SMEs under-use patents as an information source, but that carefully targeted marketing campaigns and the development of less complicated patent databases geared to SME’s needs could increase use.