 | From Lab to Market: Joint Case Study Series on Technology Transfer with the European Patent Office The European IP Helpdesk has teamed up with the European Patent Office (EPO) for a series of case studies centred around successful technology transfer. Each case study provides key takeaways for stakeholders in universities, other public research organisations and businesses from start-ups and spin-offs to established companies and demonstrates the importance of IP for technology transfer. |
| SlideWheel: How a Swiss Engineer Made His Son’s Dream of a Next-Generation Water Slide Come True – With the Help of a Strong Partner and IP This case study “SlideWheel” illustrates how an imaginary idea can turn into reality with an early-stage IP protection and the collaboration with an experienced partner. Wiegand Waterrides GmbH is one of the top companies worldwide in the water slide business. The cooperation between a Swiss inventor and Wiegand led to the development of a brand-new concept of water slide. |
 | Dual licensing in academic open-source software: Synergistic effects between open-source licensing and commercial software development & exploitation This case study traces the journey that led to the successful partnership between the Portuguese research institution INESC TEC and the German media and after-effects start-up MAMOWORLD through the commercialisation of an academic Open-Source software. It provides insights into the principles of Free and Open-Source Software, the differences between permissive and reciprocal FOSS licences, and a strategy to safely combine the use of a software under reciprocal licences in commercial products. |
 | Successfully Surfing Terahertz Waves with IP: How an Innovative Spanish Tech Company Develops Novel Terahertz (Thz) Solutions for the Industry The Spanish company das-Nano offers the first Terahertz-based technology systems on the market designed to provide non-destructive, non-contact, fast and reliable full area characterisation of surfaces, materials and coatings. From the very beginning, das-Nano has been aware of the fact that its intellectual property (IP) assets and their correct protection could be a decisive factor with regard to the success or failure of the business, and that a sound IP strategy should be developed to safeguard and possibly improve its competitiveness. Plus, protecting its intellectual assets was relevant to enter into market-driven R&D collaborative projects and standardization activities. |
| Green IP: A Green Tech Success Story Coming from the Ocean The Spanish biotech company AlgaEnergy has successfully scaled up microalgae cultivation processes and introduced innovative, competitive and sustainable products to the market, adding high value across multiple sectors. Its commitment to sustainable innovation paired with a sound IP strategy, have allowed this SME to complete an exciting journey from laboratory to industrial scale while consolidating its business core. |
| Bringing Powder to the People. The Strong IP Strategy of an Innovative Start-up in the Snowboarding Industry The present case study traces the journey of ALLWINTER Ltd., a young, visionary company active in the fast-growing snowboarding industry aiming to expand their business and build up a strong IP portfolio. You will learn more about the different Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) attached to marketing new products in this field, and which steps need to be taken especially with regard to patenting. |
| Licensing Out to China: The Case of Clean-Tech Company Orcan Energy With electricity generation being one of the main sources of greenhouse gas emissions, the German SME Orcan Energy AG has entered the stage with a far-reaching vision: to make existing energy supply more efficient and sustainable, both in Europe and around the world. The present case study outlines how a licensing deal helped the company to scale up its technology and establish a market presence in China. |
| IP Sounds Good to Me. How a Small Spanish Company Revolutionised the Classical Music Market NewMusicNow was founded in 2013 with the aim of providing musicians with a tool that improves the efficiency of their work and the quality of their performances. Since then, the company has been working intensively on the development of a “page-less scrolling“ technology, which is an App available at the Apple App Store. In the course of six years NewMusicNow worked intensively on the development of a proprietary technology seeking to further position themselves in the field by participating in national and international R&D projects, and developing an international business and intellectual property strategy. |
| Freedom to Operate. How a rather late identified third party patent almost killed an innovation project Many sports, but also many work environments require protective clothing to prevent athletes or workers from severe injuries. However, due to the rigidness of the material often used for this kind of clothing, it can be rather uncomfortable to wear. This is what made Richard Palmer and Philip Green, both material scientists at the University Hertfordshire/UK and passionate snowboarders in their free time, think about developing a new material that would be flexible but stiffen on impact. The present case study highlights the importance of Freedom-to-Operate analyses by spotlighting Palmer’s and Green’s journey in developing and patenting this new material, which took a sudden and unexpected turn, when they found out that their initial invention had already been patented by someone else. |
Europe - Case studies
Our case studies bring to you real-life examples of IP management in different business settings, research fields or sectors. They trace the individual stories and learning curves experienced by innovative entrepreneurs and researchers.