Invent Anything™

Developing intellectual property can be difficult and costly, so how do you communicate the value that IP offers to a business and market? While data and analysis can be important technical tools, it is much easier for most busy investors and executives to believe a compelling story. In this episode, John will teach you how to tell your IP Story to get the most value out of your intellectual prope...

Description: What do you do when you find out your patent is being infringed? Many companies with sizeable or even small but important patent portfolios have asked themselves this very question. In this episode of Invent Anything, John answers many of the common questions that patent owners have when they think some one is using their invention illegally. The six topics of this episode include: 1...

In this episode, John discusses important issues surrounding prior art from many perspectives: not just how the patent office views prior art, but how to understand how prior art impacts inventors and businesses. With a strategic understanding of the prior art in a technology space, businesses can leverage their knowledge of prior art for a competitive advantage, instead of fearing it will prevent...

In this episode, John discusses the many ways of monetizing – or making money with – a patent portfolio. To be successful with a patent monetization strategy you’ll need a systematic approach. John speaks from decades of experience in intellectual property deals and licensing with ipCapital Group and while at IBM. The topic areas for this episode include: 1 – How to find out who to sell or license...

The Art and Science of Patent Valuation   Today, we will discuss how to figure out how much a patent is worth. This episode will cover six topics relating to patent valuation. Topic 1 - What is a patent valuation? Topic 2 - how are valuations used in transactions like patent licensing? Topic 3 - How patent owners without a business can leverage patent valuation Topic 4 - How a patent own...

In this episode, John recalls building a “patent factory” during his tenure with IBM as an semiconductor engineer in the technology development department. This allowed him to become to top inventor at IBM and helped IP licensing at IBM grow to over a billion dollars a year in revenue. Next, John and Mark discuss the question, “Do corporations need to continue to invent?” It may seem obvious that...

In this special episode, Mark Alyn joins host John Cronin in an interview format. They discuss John’s background that lead to a career as an inventor, starting from childhood to becoming the top inventor at IBM, to founding ipCapital Group. Further, John and Mark discuss the process of invention, that starts with a problem that needs to be solved by a creative idea. Eventually, with the right tool...

In this episode, John discusses when patent owners should consider getting an ‘Evidence of Use’ (EoU) opinion. Evidence of use is a process of collecting material evidence that an outside party may be practicing the technology claimed in a patent. We will cover:  What is Evidence of Use (EoU) How Can EoU leverage your company  EoU secrets only the experts know  How to Monetize Paten...

In this episode, we'll cover freedom to operate (FTO), what it is and the many strategies that you can use to gain leverage for your company. Learn secrets very few companies know, and more importantly, learn how to protect your company from patent lawsuits. FTO will also let you know more about your competitor to build better products and services at very low costs. Topics covered in this episode...

Invention is the key tool driving innovation. In this episode, John provides a clear differentiation of invention and innovation that, once understood, could transform your business. Very few people understand this critical distinction. Why do innovation programs fail, even when they are well funded? What is the missing link between invention and innovation that can drive major breakthroughs in te...

In this episode you will learn everything you need to know about enabled publications. Often erroneously called "defensive publications," Enabled Publications offer a secret and powerful weapon in your IP arsenal. Learn about enabled publications, what they can do, how to document them, and how to use them to create the cheapest and most powerful "weapon" in the IP strategy. Learn this and your li...

In this episode, John unveils the power of trade secrets for your business. This episode answers questions like: what are trade secrets? How do you protect trade secrets? How to leverage trade secrets in business? And even, how to create new trade secrets for your business.  The topic areas include:  Defining Trade Secrets  How to protect trade secrets Inventing  Trade secrets...

In today’s episode, we will learn the six ways to make money with patents. Patents are expensive to obtain, and many inventors and executives want to maximize their ROI from intellectual property. Depending on your situation, one or more specific approaches to earning income from your patents may be appropriate. We will reveal novel strategies to help you get the most out of your patent portfolio...

In this episode, we will discuss raising more money at a higher valuation using intellectual property. CEOs, founders, CTOs, etc., who are considering raising money may consider using a unique strategy of leveraging IP to tell a better story to investors. We will discuss the meaning of intellectual property followed by the six ways to monetize intellectual property. We will answer the following qu...

In this episode, John discusses how to get a patent on your invention. This episode covers everything you need to know to get your first patent. You’ll learn how to choose a patent attorney or a patent agent, how to prepare you invention for patent documentation, how to ensure your application will be granted, and how to get the most out of your investment in intellectual property. Additional topi...

If you've ever wondered what a patent really is, the rights that it gives you, and what they mean for your business, you're in the right place. John discusses why patents are a 'negative right', dispels some common patent myths, and explains the true value of patents to individuals and businesses.

In this episode, John discusses the technical details behind the process of 'enablement' - taking the invention from the conceptual stage to describing how it will work in practice. Topics covered include the many perspectives - from manager buy-in, to patent attorneys and patent examiners. In the conclusion, John discusses enablement in terms of an actual patent for a practical example.   Li...

How can you take an invention from the early idea stage to something that will work and have value? In this episode, John discusses many tools that can be used for continuous improvement thinking. By using a methodological approach to identify areas where an invention needs improvement, teams and individuals can use several tools to continuously improve ideas.  Tool 1 - Action, Owner, Date To...

Associative thinking is one of the most power creative tools for inventors. By combining different objects, ideas, and methods, new inventions can be made by making novel connections with your mind. In this episode, John provides detailed examples and several tools you can use to unleash the power of associative thinking. Some of these tools can be used like games, fun for kids and adults. Other t...

John takes on the difficult topic of what you should do when you learn you are violating a competitors patent. Patent infringement is a major threat to a business. Delving into 5 Areas of concern with 20 actions you can take to be prepared for a patent infringement lawsuit. Learn what you can do to sleep better at night, avoid willful infringement, challenge the patent, protect the future of your...

In the third installment, John discusses two major types of creativity: divergent and convergent. Divergent creativity is the process of creating a variety of many new ideas. Convergent creativity is the process of narrowing down the list to a few valuable ideas. Additional topics discussed in this episode: Alex Osborn and brainstorming Tony Buzan and mind maps Guidelines for Divergent and Convert...

In this episode, John explains the fundamental ideas that underpin any creative process. Topics discussed include: Types of creative motivation (extrinsic and intrinsic), The effect of limitations and freedom, Self-assessment of creativity, How to become more creative, How to motivate others to be more creative, And much more...

Invent Anything with John Cronin . In this series, John shares insights relating to invention, creativity, and intellectual property collected over 17 years at IBM (becoming its top inventor with over 100 patents and 150 patent publications) and 23 years as managing director of ipCapital Group (working with over 800 companies and approximately 15% of the Fortune 500, hundreds of mid-size companies...