Patent rating

Abstract

Various embodiments of the present disclosure include systems and methods of assigning internal and external ratings to a subject patent owned by a subject entity. In one example embodiment, the method comprises assigning an internal rating to the subject patent based on one or more selected internal factors relating to the subject entity; and assigning an external rating to the subject patent based on one or more selected external factors relating to one or more third parties external to the subject entity.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A computer-implemented method of assigning internal and external ratings to a subject patent owned by a subject entity, the method including using one or more processors to:
 receive user input identifying the subject patent;   assign an internal rating to the subject patent based on one or more selected internal factors relating to the subject entity; and   assign an external rating to the subject patent based on one or more selected external factors relating to one or more third parties external to the subject entity.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the internal factors include one or more elements selected from a group comprising:
 perceived relevance of the subject patent to subject company technologies;   perceived relative value of the subject patent compared to other subject company patents;   subject company product coverage;   subject company patent marking lists;   historical subject patent litigation outcomes involving the subject entity;   historical subject patent validity challenge outcomes; and   how many times the subject patent has been cited against other patents or patent applications.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising using one or more of the internal factors to identify a best subject patent and assigning a top internal rating to the best subject patent. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the top internal rating assigned to the best subject patent is in a range 8-10. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 3 , further comprising assigning a relatively lower internal rating to at least one other patent owned by the subject entity. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the relatively lower internal rating assigned to the at least one other patent is in a range 0-7. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the external factors include one or more elements selected from a group comprising:
 perceived deterrent value of the subject patent against the one or more third parties;   third party product coverage;   historical patent litigation outcomes involving the one or more third parties;   subject patent validity challenge outcomes; and   how many times the subject patent has been cited against other patents or patent applications.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein assigning the external rating to the subject patent includes identifying one or more selected key patents owned by the one or more third parties, and assigning the external rating to the subject patent based on its relevance to, or relative worth when compared against, the one or more selected key patents of the one or more third parties. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7  or  8 , wherein the external rating assigned to the subject patent is in a range 0-10. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the method includes assigning the internal and external ratings to the subject patent automatically and presenting the ratings to the user in a user interface or web page. 
     
     
         11 . A system for rating a subject patent owned by a subject entity, the system comprising one or more processors to:
 receive user input identifying a subject patent case to be rated;   automatically assign an internal rating to the subject patent based on one or more selected internal factors relating to the subject entity; and   automatically assign an external rating to the subject patent based on one or more selected external factors relating to one or more third parties external to the subject entity.   
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the one or more processors are to use one or more internal factors selected from the group comprising:
 perceived relevance of the subject patent to subject company technologies;   perceived relative value of the subject patent compared to other subject company patents;   subject company product coverage;   subject company patent marking lists;   historical subject patent litigation outcomes involving the subject entity;   historical subject patent validity challenge outcomes; and   how many times the subject patent has been cited against other patents or patent applications.   
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the one or more processors are to use one or more external factors selected from a group comprising:
 perceived deterrent value of the subject patent against the one or more third parties;   third party product coverage;   historical patent litigation outcomes involving the one or more third parties;   subject patent validity challenge outcomes; and   how many times the subject patent has been cited against other patents or patent applications.   
     
     
         14 . A system for rating a subject patent owned by a subject entity, the system comprising:
 a network;   at least one database, accessible on the network, the database including at least one database of patents owned by the subject entity;   a server, operatively connected to the network, wherein the server includes:
 a processor, 
 a memory, 
 software operable on the processor to:
 receive user input identifying a subject patent case to be rated; 
 automatically assign an internal rating to the subject patent based on one or more selected internal factors relating to the subject entity; and 
 automatically assign an external rating to the subject patent based on one or more selected external factors relating to one or more third parties external to the subject entity. 
 
   
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the internal factors include one or more elements selected from a group comprising:
 perceived relevance of the subject patent to subject company technologies;   perceived relative value of the subject patent compared to other subject company patents;   subject company product coverage;   subject company patent marking lists;   historical subject patent litigation outcomes involving the subject entity;   historical subject patent validity challenge outcomes; and   how many times the subject patent has been cited against other patents or patent applications.   
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the external factors include one or more elements selected from a group comprising:
 perceived deterrent value of the subject patent against the one or more third parties;   third party product coverage;   historical patent litigation outcomes involving the one or more third parties;   subject patent validity challenge outcomes; and   how many times the subject patent has been cited against other patents or patent applications.