Benjamin Pimentel reports on how revenues from patent-related intellectual property are becoming increasingly important to Silicon Valley firms.
This passion for patents underscores the importance of intellectual property in the tech industry — especially during a downturn when the race to find the next hot product heats up.
“Trying to operate a company without patents in this crowded market is akin to swimming in a shark tank with a nosebleed,” said patent attorney John Ferrell of Carr & Ferrell in Palo Alto. “You’ve got to have them or you’re going to get eaten alive.”