case studies

	Title and Description	Date
	Spin-offs: an innovative idea is only the starting point One day in August 2005, a student of Professor D. Iannuzzi at VU University Amsterdam came to his office because in his experiment on some quantum force measurements, he could not get rid of an artefact of the instrument he was using. To solve that specific problem, Professor Iannuzzi came up with the idea of fiber-top technology. After testing the working principle with some colleagues, Professor Iannuzzi realized that that idea could have many applications well beyond what it was originally devised for.	15.12.2014
	IP leverage for biotechnical innovations Biotechnology is a field where technology advances rapidly. For this reason, it is vital for any company operating in this sector to protect the innovations that they generate with Intellectual Property Rights (IPR). In this case study you can see the example of Keygene, an SME that has been able to reap the entire benefit from their intellectual property capital by setting an IP strategy from the outset in line with their core business and put it into operational phases via proper IP management.	28.10.2014
	Confidentiality considerations during project preparation To enable more efficient administration in setting up a Horizon 2020 proposal, a consortium has agreed to make use of cloud server software, where all partners could easily keep in contact with each other and share information.	21.08.2014
	Taking steps to the protection of databases This case study addresses database protection in the EU Seventh Framework Programme by pointing out the difference between the protection of database content and structure, which may benefit from copyright and/or database sui generis protection.	26.06.2014
	Low cost branding protection with IP services support This case study is an example of how the Enterprise Europe Network and the European IPR Helpdesk can work together to help the internationalisation of an European SME.	29.04.2014
	Allocation of shares of jointly developed results Ownership over the intellectual property arising as a result of the innovation is one of the most critical issues to resolve in the framework of collaborative projects, especially in cases where two or more partners generate results jointly. This case study sets out the likely actions to be undertaken in such a situation to avoid any drawbacks and for a proper management of a jointly owned research result.	27.02.2014
	Copyright management and Creative Commons in FP7 The Creative Commons initiative is not incompatible with copyright and on the contrary is based on the existence of copyright protection, since it allows the work to be licensed to others interested in using the material. Take a look at this new case study to see how the use of Creative Commons’ licences can be beneficial for dissemination of project results, without undermining legal protection.	20.12.2013
	D.A Glass: IP opportunity with the support of the Enterprise Europe Network This case study tells how an SME can succeed in filing patent applications with the support of the Enterprise Europe Network. Having proper competences and cooperating closely with international network partners, EEN representatives assist in developing the potential and innovative capacity of SMEs. EEN partners facilitate direct contact with university experts and patent agents. Such contacts are helpful in the development of new products which are the subject of patent applications filed by network clients.	17.12.2013
	NaturallyUnlimited Ltd: company understanding of IP Spending time and a little money to better understand the value of IP is certainly beneficial to any enterprise. This could help them take proper actions to better exploit their intangible on the market and also avoid incurring higher costs arising from badly conceived business plans. The NaturallyUnlimited Ltd case study is a clear example of the importance for small businesses with limited financial capabilities of having professional support.	07.11.2013
	Projects acronyms and trade marks: preventing risks Refraining from using an acronym similar to a registered trade mark for goods and/or services in the same area is important in R&D projects, particularly when consortium partners intend to commercially exploit a result or provide a service in the market under the acronym or name of the project. In this case study you can see the possible risks that consortium partners can face in these situations and, most importantly, how to avoid them.	28.06.2013
	A double-line IP strategy for start-ups Are you a SME looking for some suggestions on how better shape an IP strategy for your company? The 2-level strategy highlighted in this new case study could be suitable for your enterprise as well, so have a look at it!	27.06.2013
	IP strategy and management in an SME This case study shows a good example of an SME that has developed efficient IP strategy and management practices. The case put forward the idea that the pre-condition for successfully carrying out business activities is not only based on the mere knowledge of IP but mainly on the will of the company to properly manage its intangible assets in order to reap the full benefits from it.	07.03.2013
	Leveraging patents for business growth IP rights are meant to provide companies with a solid foundation for their business success. Patent portfolios, in particular, can be an exceptional means to exploit innovation in the market place and establish business partnerships. This case study shows that even a small company with little money can succeed in a competitive market environment and win against bigger competitors if such a company can leverage its business value using patent rights. Furthermore, thanks to patents' strength and to their efficient management, investors are attracted by the perspective of long-term economic benefits deriving from a business that is IP-protected.	19.12.2012
	Managing IP information for international business opportunity Every day many good ideas and research results are wasted due to a wrong strategic innovation plan; writing a “good patent” does not necessarily mean that an idea is transformed into a “good business”. Before starting with a new technology development or a research project, both entrepreneurs and researchers should carefully develop knowledge of the state of the art using IP databases for verifying if the idea is really new and if there is any blocking patent contained in other similar technologies. This would prove to be beneficial from the business rollout up to the subsequent internationalisation, and the present case study draws attention to this process.	19.12.2012
	The importance of an IP management structure in a research project This case study presents a well-thought IP management structure in a FP7 consortium, which has the function of ensuring smooth implementation of the project and optimal exploitation of the resulting intangible assets.	18.12.2012
	Resolving potential IPR conflicts within an FP7 project The present case study brings to your attention the importance of having a sound IP management during FP7 projects, able to foresee actions aimed at avoiding and resolving potential IPR conflicts arising during and after the project's implementation. This would indeed lead to a successful research project and to an enhanced marketability of the project results.	20.09.2012
	Protecting project results This case on the Hydrocoat FP7 project focuses on the importance of having the results generated during a research project well protected, mainly when they have a huge commercial impact, in order to reap the full benefits from the R&D activity and to avoid those results be unduly exploited by others.	06.09.2012
	Defining fair and reasonable conditions in a project for the benefit of SME associations This anonymous case study is based in an experience of a consortium participating in a research for small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) associations’ action. The consortium partners in this project faced difficulties to agree on the definition of “fair and reasonable conditions” to be granted to the SME associations.	29.05.2012
	Raising IP Awareness at University to Convert Knowledge into Benefits This case study has been produced in collaboration with Own-it, an IP service established within the University of the Arts London. Own-it's case has been selected as an instructive example of a first-line IP advice so as to highlight the importance of setting up an IP centre within academic institutions. This service's purpose is to confer a holistic approach to IP education and management, to convert knowledge into socio-economic benefits.	20.03.2012