Patent Valuation

Patent valuations are needed for a variety of matters including to support transfer of ownership (licensing or assignment) of the business or patent, collateralized financing, financial reporting and taxation matters. A valuation of patents may also be needed to support litigation matters, such as quantifying patent infringement damages.

To select the appropriate methodology, AccuVal first seeks to understand the use of patent valuations. This context is important because the approaches to value can result in very different value conclusions. It is also important to determine whether the patent is being appraised individually or as a family. If conducting the valuation of patents as a family, the appraiser will need to understand how each patent interrelates with one another and whether discernable income streams can be associated with individual patents or only to the group as a whole.

Our team of certified appraisers will also gather information to better understand the scope of the patent valuation. We examine the patent's claim and whether any blocking patents exist that could potentially claim infringement. We learn about the history of the patent and how it is currently being used and whether it has any applications beyond its current use. We will want to understand any current or previous licensing of the technology and the royalty rates paid. We consider what, if any, foreign patent protection exists and where the patent is in its lifecycle — legally, technologically and regulatory. Lawsuits can be a good indicator of the strength of a patent; in such, the outcomes of any historical litigation are an important consideration. We will also request historical income streams associated with the patent and any financial projections. The value of a patent is derived only after these and other numerous considerations.

Due to their unique nature, patent valuations are less often derived from the cost or market approaches to value. However, when appropriate, AccuVal has access to a significant database of comparable patent transactions (sale and licensing) to support the conclusions of value. The most common approach to valuation of patents is the income approach. In this approach, an appraiser identifies the profit attributed to a patent by calculating the premium pricing associated with the sale or the patented products and/or the money savings associated with the use of the patent. Alternatively, an appraiser may examine the projected income stream derived from the royalties earned under licensing. Or the appraiser may calculate the net present value of the income stream with the patented technology and without, and then compare the two as another means of valuation.

With so many nuances, patent valuation is a highly skilled discipline. It necessitates a 360º understanding of how patents interact with the marketplace and how they operate within an organization. AccuVal's team of appraisers are experienced across more than 100 industry segments and are knowledgeable of all business assets, including machinery and inventory, equipping us with a comprehensive understanding of business processes and the key role that patents play.