| name | ip-landscape-analysis |
| description | IP landscape analysis guide. Referenced by the patent-mapper and protection-advisor agents when analyzing technology-specific patent landscapes and developing strategies. Use for 'IP landscape', 'patent map', or 'technology trends' requests. Patent filing services and patent search database access are out of scope. |
IP Landscape Analysis — IP Landscape Analysis
Enhances the IP strategy analysis capabilities of the patent-mapper and protection-advisor agents.
IP Landscape Analysis Process
5-Step Analysis Procedure
Step 1: Define Technology Scope
- Technology keywords + IPC/CPC codes
- Search query design
Step 2: Data Collection
- KIPRIS (Korea), USPTO (US), EPO (Europe)
- Search range: Last 10-20 years
Step 3: Quantitative Analysis
- Filing trends, applicant rankings, technology classification
- Patent family analysis
Step 4: Qualitative Analysis
- Key patent selection, claims analysis
- White space identification
Step 5: Strategy Derivation
- Opportunity/threat mapping
- Filing/acquisition/licensing/design-around strategies
Patent Map Types
Technology-Timeline Map
2020 2021 2022 2023 2024
Tech A ## ### #### ##### ######
Tech B # ## ### #### ####
Tech C ### ## ## # #
Tech D - - # ## ####
-> Tech A: Rapid growth, Tech D: Emerging
-> Tech C: Declining
Applicant Portfolio Map
| Applicant | Tech A | Tech B | Tech C | Total |
|---|
| Company X | 45 | 32 | 18 | 95 |
| Company Y | 38 | 28 | 25 | 91 |
| Competitor Z | 52 | 15 | 8 | 75 |
| Our Company | 12 | 20 | 5 | 37 |
Citation Network Map
Key patent identification criteria:
- Top 10% by forward citations
- Examiner citations (higher weight)
- Betweenness centrality
White Space Analysis
Technology-Market Matrix
Market A Market B Market C
Tech 1 #### ## .... <- Gap
Tech 2 ### .... ## <- Gap
Tech 3 .... ### #### <- Gap
.... = White Space (no/few filings)
-> Strategic filing opportunities
White Space Types
| Type | Description | Strategy |
|---|
| Technology Gap | Unexplored technology area | Preemptive filing |
| Market Gap | Unapplied market/region | Foreign filing |
| Applicant Gap | Area competitors have not entered | Rapid portfolio build |
FTO (Freedom to Operate) Analysis
FTO Analysis Procedure
1. Confirm target product/technology specifications
2. Search relevant patents (registered/valid patents)
3. Claims analysis (element-by-element comparison)
4. Infringement risk assessment
- Literal infringement: All elements match
- Doctrine of equivalents: Substantially identical
5. FTO opinion preparation
Infringement Risk Matrix
| Risk | Infringement Likelihood | Impact | Response |
|---|
| High | Literal infringement possible | Core functionality | Design-around / License |
| Medium | Equivalents infringement possible | Some functionality | Design-around review |
| Low | Low infringement likelihood | Non-core | Monitoring |
IP Strategy Framework
Offensive/Defensive Strategies
| Strategy | Purpose | Means |
|---|
| Patent Fence | Protect core technology | File surrounding patents |
| Preemptive Filing | Market entry barrier | Fast filing on new technology |
| Cross-Licensing | Mutual practice rights | Portfolio exchange |
| Defensive Publication | Block competitor filings | Publish technology (establish prior art) |
| Patent Pool | Access standard technology | Industry-wide joint licensing |
IP Portfolio Optimization
Retention Criteria:
3 stars - Core: Directly business-related, high value
2 stars - Important: Defensive value, revenue potential
1 star - Moderate: Review value vs maintenance cost
Pruning Criteria:
- No business relevance + no licensing demand -> Abandon
- Maintenance cost > value -> Sell or abandon
- Expiring within 3 years + no utilization plan -> Consider abandonment
Renewal Management
Country-Specific Patent Life/Renewal Costs
| Country | Patent Term | Renewal Cycle | Cost Trend |
|---|
| Korea | Filing date + 20 years | Annual (from year 4) | Increases annually |
| United States | Filing date + 20 years | At 3.5/7.5/11.5 years | 3 stages |
| Europe (EP) | Filing date + 20 years | Annual (from year 3) | Increases annually |
| Japan | Filing date + 20 years | Annual (from year 4) | Increases annually |
| China | Filing date + 20 years | Annual | Increases annually |
Quality Checklist
| Item | Criteria |
|---|
| Search Scope | IPC/CPC + keyword combination |
| Quantitative Analysis | Trends, rankings, classification |
| White Space Analysis | Technology-market matrix |
| FTO | Core products/technologies covered |
| Strategy | Offensive/defensive strategies specified |
| Portfolio | Retention/pruning criteria defined |
