Profiles in Innovation
Entrepreneurs on the Cutting Edge of Technology
Mobile 365 |
Key Facts:
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| “As a technology company, we view our IP protection program—including our patent program—as an important business imperative.”” |
Mike Daniels
Chantilly, Virginia
Sending Text Messages from the Great Wall of China to your Mom in Boise? Mobile 365 Makes it Possible.
My company, Mobile 365, provides network interoperability and device compatability for global mobile messaging. Mobile 365 reliably delivers nearly two billion mobile messages every month. How? We strive to create a seamless experience for mobile consumers throughout the world. Most countries have mobile networks that use different standards that will not easily interconnect and work together. Mobile 365′s technology creates interoperability that enables you to stand on the Great Wall of China and instantaneously send a text message about it to your mom back in Boise. Our network links the technology in your mobile device to all other mobile users—no matter where you are, what device you have, or what network you are using.
Patents Help Stimulate New Innovation at Mobile 365Mobile 365′s patent program increases the intangible value of our company. Patents do more than just protect our large investments in research and development. Promoting patents within the company helps create a reputation for innovation and inventiveness with customers and our competitors. And of course, patents provide additional sources of revenue through assignments, licensing, and other arrangements that can then be reinvested into our research and development activities.
Our Internal Patent Program Fosters a Culture of IP Protection
Intellectual property protection is critical to our long-term success as a company. To ensure our intellectual assets are protected, we created a centralized patent program that substantially contribtes to the financial well-being and value of our company. To maximize the value of the program while limiting its impact on engineering resources, we have hired a technical expert within our legal team to manage and oversee all patent activities. The structure enables Mobile 365 to capture innovation for patent consideration and prosecution while reducing costs and improving effectiveness.
We Set Company Goals for Protection of our Innovations
Given our modest size—and knowing the importance of protecting our innovations—Mobile 365 has sizeable goals for increasing the protection of our intellectual assets through patents. As part of our ongoing patent program, our goal is to complete an average of 1.5 new patent applications each month.
The goals we set for patent protection are not costly, especially when considering the opportunity costs of not filing for patent protections. The filing fees for domestic patent applications at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office—particularly for provisional patent applications—are relatively modest. The filing fees for foreign patent applications are somewhat more substantial, but even these may be managed to keep costs down.
About Profiles in Innovation and ACT
The Profiles in Innovation project is designed to highlight entrepreneurs who are driving technological innovation around the world and the critical role that patents and IP play in their success. While large multinationals often get the credit, small businesses are at the center of the innovation economy. For these small innovators, patents are critical to their ability to protect their innovations while building partnerships and raising capital.
The Association for Competitive Technology (ACT) is an international trade association for the information technology industry that is dedicated to protecting small business innovation. ACT has more than 3,000 member companies around the world, most of which are small and mid-size technology firms.
Tags: North America
