A new year brings with it inevitable changes, and along with those changes comes a degree of uncertainty, particularly given the volatility of the global economy. Trade disputes, posturing and market fluctuations all portend a 2019 that can have a significant impact on intellectual property. While sorting through all the details of current events is a complex task, I believe there are several overarching trends that will influence the patent system over the next twelve months.
Technology convergence accelerates IP risk
Technology changes create another area of concern for IP, and the march of technological progress will only continue as industries collide. We are no longer in a world where cell phone technology, for example, is restricted to use in the mobile devices themselves. Businesses in every industry are being forced to become more high tech to keep their doors open in our highly competitive economy, through sustained innovation. Technology is becoming a part of nearly every purchase we make, from smart speakers in our homes to advanced safety and communications technology in our cars. Now, as the Internet of Things becomes an inescapable part of our lives, patents that were once only applicable within the mobile industry itself are increasingly finding their way into the product development process for a wide variety of industries. Businesses are exposed to IP risk from more areas than ever before and must mitigate that risk just to stay competitive. Organizations need IP protection from all industries; a deeper IP legal strategy is required.
