Method for Aggregating Intellectual Property and Services In An Exchange

Abstract

The present invention relates to methods of aggregating and valuing intellectual property in a financial exchange. The present invention provides means whereby holders of intellectual property rights may sell, or license intellectual property to an aggregator and receive shares of stock or cash for the contribution based on the aggregated value of the intellectual property held by the aggregator.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for creating a publicly traded security in an intellectual property aggregator that operates an intellectual property exchange, the method comprising:
 transferring-in a plurality of intellectual property rights from a plurality of intellectual property rights holders to the intellectual property aggregator;   providing a service to at least one of the plurality of intellectual property rights holders, wherein the providing of the service adds value to at least one of the plurality of transferred intellectual property rights;   calculating an aggregated intellectual property value for the plurality of transferred intellectual property rights;   estimating an exchange intellectual property value for each of the plurality of intellectual property rights, the exchange intellectual property value being estimated by apportioning the aggregated intellectual property value among each of the plurality of intellectual property rights;   transferring-out a portion of the plurality of intellectual property rights ne or more acquirers of intellectual property rights;   receiving from each acquirer of intellectual property rights a payment, the payment equal to the exchange intellectual property value for each of the intellectual property rights transferred out to each acquirer;   calculating an updated aggregated intellectual property value to account for each payment received; and   issuing a plurality of security interests, each security interest being purchasable for a price, the price being representative of the updated aggregated intellectual property value.   
     
     
         2 . A method for creating a publicly traded security in an intellectual property aggregator that operates an intellectual property exchange according to  claim 1  wherein the transfer-in of at least one of the plurality intellectual property rights is by sale of the intellectual property right from the intellectual property right holder to the intellectual property aggregator. 
     
     
         3 . A method for creating a publicly traded security in an intellectual property aggregator that operates an intellectual property exchange according to  claim 1  wherein the transfer-in of at least one of the plurality intellectual property rights is by a license from the intellectual property right holder to the intellectual property aggregator. 
     
     
         4 . A method for creating a publicly traded security in an intellectual property aggregator that operates an intellectual property exchange according to  claim 1  wherein the services provided are selected from the group consisting of: marketing advice; investment advice; technical advice; research support; development support; commercialization advice; manufacturing advice; and accounting advice. 
     
     
         5 . A method for operating an exchange based on rights in intellectual property implemented by a computer based system, comprising the steps of:
 aggregating a plurality of intellectual property rights from a plurality of intellectual property rights holders in an intellectual property aggregator by transferring in a first transfer the intellectual property rights to the intellectual property aggregator;   providing a service to at least one of the plurality of intellectual property rights holders, wherein the providing of the service adds value to at least one of the plurality of transferred intellectual property rights;   storing in a first database a first set of information describing each of the plurality of intellectual property rights holders;   storing in a second database a second set of information describing each of the plurality of intellectual property rights, the second set of information comprising a intellectual property value for each of the plurality of intellectual property rights including value added by the providing of services;   storing on a third database a third set information describing a plurality of acquirers of a portion of the plurality intellectual property rights, the third set of information comprising payment information for each acquirer for each payment made to the intellectual property aggregator for a second transfer of the intellectual property rights to the acquirer;   storing on a fourth database a fourth set of information describing a plurality of investors, each investor being a purchaser of a equity interest in the intellectual property aggregator, the fourth set of information comprising investor information for each investor for investments made to the intellectual property aggregator;   inputting into a valuation module information selected from the group consisting of: the first set of information, the second set of information, the third set of information and the fourth set of information;   calculating a value of the aggregated intellectual property rights in the valuation module to account for the information;   determining an exchange intellectual property value for each of the plurality of intellectual property rights, the exchange intellectual property value being estimated by apportioning the aggregated intellectual property value among each of the plurality of intellectual property tights; and   calculating an updated aggregated intellectual property value to account for each payment received;   entering a payment value in the third database for each payment received for the transfer of an intellectual property right;   wherein the payment received far a intellectual property right equals the exchange intellectual property value for the intellectual property right.   
     
     
         6 . A method for operating an exchange based on rights in intellectual property implemented by a computer based system according to  claim 5  wherein the transfer-in of at least one of the plurality intellectual property rights is by sale of the intellectual property right from the intellectual property right holder to the intellectual property aggregator. 
     
     
         7 . A method for operating an exchange based on rights in intellectual property implemented by a computer based system according to  claim 5  wherein the transfer-in of at least one of the plurality intellectual property rights is by a license from the intellectual property right holder to the intellectual property aggregator. 
     
     
         8 . A method for operating an exchange based on rights in intellectual property implemented by a computer based system according to  claim 5  wherein the services provided are selected from the group consisting of: marketing advice; investment advice; technical advice; research support; development support; commercialization advice; manufacturing advice; and accounting advice. 
     
     
         9 . A method for aggregating and providing services to an intellectual property rights holder from a centralized exchange, the method comprising:
 subscribing a plurality of service providers to a service exchange;   providing access to the service exchange to a plurality of intellectual property rights holders;   at least one of the intellectual property rights holder obtaining a service from at least one of the plurality of service providers;   the at least one of the intellectual property rights holders making a first payment to the service exchange for the service;   the service exchange making a second payment to the at least one of the plurality of service providers providing the service;   wherein at least two of the service providers provide dissimilar services.   
     
     
         10 . A method for aggregating and providing services to an intellectual property rights holder from a centralized exchange according to  claim 9 , wherein the service exchange is operated by an intellectual property exchange, the intellectual property exchange aggregating a plurality of intellectual property rights from a plurality of intellectual property rights holders in an intellectual property aggregator by transferring in a plurality of intellectual property rights to the intellectual property aggregator. 
     
     
         11 . A method for aggregating and providing services to an intellectual property rights holder from a centralized exchange according to  claim 10 , wherein the first payment is subsidized by the intellectual property aggregator. 
     
     
         12 . A method for aggregating and providing services to an intellectual property rights holder from a centralized exchange according to  claim 9 , wherein each of the plurality of service providers pays a fee to the service exchange to subscribe to the service exchange. 
     
     
         13 . A method for aggregating and providing services to an intellectual property rights holder from a centralized exchange according to  claim 9 , wherein the services provided are selected from the group consisting of: marketing advice; investment advice; technical advice; research support; development support; commercialization advice; manufacturing advice; and accounting advice. 
     
     
         14 . A method for aggregating and providing services to an intellectual property rights holder from a centralized exchange according to  claim 9 , wherein the second payment is below market price. 
     
     
         15 . A computer-implemented method for operating an exchange based on rights in intellectual property comprising the steps of:
 aggregating a plurality of intellectual property rights from a plurality of intellectual property rights holders in an intellectual property aggregator by a first transfer whereby the intellectual property aggregator obtains the plurality of intellectual property rights in exchange for a plurality of first acquisition costs;   providing a service to at least one of the plurality of intellectual property rights holders, wherein the providing of the service adds value to at least one of the plurality of transferred intellectual property rights;   electronically transferring to a first database an intellectual property value for each of the plurality of the intellectual property rights, the intellectual proper value equal to a value selected from the group consisting of the first acquisition cost and a value obtained using an intellectual property valuation method;   electronically transferring to a second database a plurality of payments made to the intellectual property aggregator by a plurality of acquirers of a portion of the plurality of intellectual property rights;   electronically transferring to a third database a plurality of investment prices paid by a plurality of investors for each purchase of an equity interest in the intellectual property aggregator;   in a microprocessor calculating an aggregated intellectual property value based on the intellectual property value in the first database for each of the intellectual property rights purchased, the payment made in the second database for each intellectual property right transferred in the second transfer and the investment price paid in the third database for each payment made to the intellectual property aggregator;   processing in the microprocessor for each intellectual property right a plurality of weighting factors selected from the group consisting of a numerical value corresponding to a scope of exclusivity assignable to each intellectual property right, a numerical value corresponding to a period of exclusivity assignable to each intellectual property right, a numerical value corresponding to the extent trade secrets make up each intellectual property right, a numerical value corresponding to the relative number of commercial opportunities associated with each intellectual property right, and a numerical value corresponding to the value added by the providing of the services; and   processing in the microprocessor an exchange intellectual property value for each of the plurality of intellectual property rights, the exchange intellectual property value being estimated by apportioning the aggregated intellectual property value among each of the plurality of intellectual property rights using the weighting factors for each intellectual property right.   
     
     
         16 . A method for operating an exchange according to  claim 15  wherein the first transfer of at least one of the plurality of intellectual property rights is by sale of the intellectual property right from the intellectual property holder to the intellectual property aggregator. 
     
     
         17 . A method for operating an exchange according to  claim 15  wherein the first transfer of at least one of the plurality of intellectual property rights is by a license of the intellectual property right from the intellectual property holder to the intellectual property aggregator. 
     
     
         18 . A method for operating an exchange according to  claim 15  wherein the second transfer of a intellectual property right to an acquirer is by sale of the intellectual property right. 
     
     
         19 . A method for operating an exchange according to  claim 15  wherein the second transfer of a intellectual property right to an acquirer is by a license of the intellectual property right. 
     
     
         20 . A method for operating an exchange according to  claim 15  wherein at least one of the plurality of intellectual property rights is a patent. 
     
     
         21 . A method for operating an exchange according to  claim 15  wherein at least one of the plurality of intellectual property rights is a trade secret.