IP Manager for SMEs? An Italian Contribution

Abstract

Although SMEs companies do not lack the will to innovate their products, they seem to have no awareness of the importance of exploiting their own innovations, first by setting up a patent portfolio and then by the implementation of in-licensing or out-licensing strategies.

The result of this lack of protection is that some companies, without realizing it, give away their innovations to their competitors. This is particularly true in the design field. Italian design is appreciated all over the world, both in the East and West.

Keywords: SMEs, Italian contribution, in-licensing, out-licensing, Italian design, east and west