Management of intellectual property in research and development: A search for systems from the viewpoint of research and technology organizations

The following discussion tries to identify the key factors and mechanisms for the management of IP in research and development (R&D). Considering some experiences gathered from different players in R&D, particularly institutes of the Fraunhofer Gesellschaft, a significant correlating starting point can be detected for the various R&D cooperation and schemes: By relying on a solid IP basis, R&D players can choose the most appropriate R&D cooperation and commercialization schemes to deal with meet their individual situations. The way of choosing a course is a matter of using the most individual IP management methods, a matter of puzzling, promising technologies with appropriate partnerships - at the right time. Diverse as these methods of choice are, there are nevertheless some basic considerations for IP management which may help to meet the challenges of the complex and demanding puzzling task. Most important seem to be continuous and diligent care for own IP, the creat ion and fostering of sustainable and enduring R&D networks, and the assessment of marketing chances. As practice shows, balanced and flexible cooperation between the research community and industry often proves to be the key to joint progress and, in the end, to successful innovation.