Unified Patents Company Profile
Background
Overview
Unified Patents is a member-based organization founded in 2012 by Kevin Jakel and Brian Hinman, headquartered in San Jose, California. The organization is dedicated to promoting innovation by protecting against frivolous patent litigation and reducing the number of non-practicing entity (NPE) patent assertions in specific technology areas. Unified Patents operates as a private entity within the legal services industry.
Mission and Vision
Unified Patents aims to deter abusive patent assertions, particularly those by NPEs, commonly referred to as patent trolls. By challenging invalid patents and fostering a more predictable environment for innovation, the organization seeks to improve patent quality and reduce the financial and operational burdens imposed by meritless litigation.
Industry Significance
The organization plays a crucial role in the legal services industry by addressing the challenges posed by NPEs. By actively engaging in patent challenges and providing resources to its members, Unified Patents contributes to a more robust and fair patent system, thereby supporting technological advancement and economic growth.
Key Strategic Focus
Core Objectives
Unified Patents focuses on improving patent quality and deterring unsubstantiated or invalid patent assertions by NPEs. The organization employs a multi-faceted approach, including filing inter partes review (IPR) challenges at the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB), crowdsourcing prior art, and providing tools and data resources to its members.
Areas of Specialization
The organization specializes in specific technology zones, such as cloud storage, content delivery, and electronic payments, to ensure its deterrence efforts are focused and effective.
Key Technologies Utilized
Unified Patents leverages data-driven strategies, including analytics, prior art searches, patentability analysis, and administrative patent reviews, to challenge invalid patents and deter NPE activities.
Primary Markets Targeted
The organization primarily targets technology sectors with substantial assertions by NPEs, aiming to reduce frivolous litigation and promote innovation within these markets.
Financials and Funding
Funding History
In December 2019, Unified Patents received a growth capital investment from WestView Capital Partners, a Boston-based private equity firm focused on middle-market growth companies. This investment was intended to support Unified's expansion and increased activities in deterring patent abuse.
Total Funds Raised
The specific total funds raised by Unified Patents are not publicly disclosed. However, the 2019 investment from WestView Capital Partners indicates a significant financial backing to support the organization's mission.
Notable Investors
WestView Capital Partners is a notable investor in Unified Patents, providing growth capital to support the organization's initiatives.
Utilization of Capital
The capital from WestView Capital Partners was intended to accelerate new projects and offerings, enhance resources and capabilities, and support Unified's growth initiatives.
Pipeline Development
Key Pipeline Candidates
Unified Patents focuses on challenging patents held by NPEs in various technology sectors, including cloud storage, content delivery, and electronic payments. The organization actively monitors these areas to identify and address invalid patents.
Stages of Clinical Trials or Product Development
As a legal services organization, Unified Patents does not engage in clinical trials or product development. Instead, it focuses on patent challenges and deterrence activities within the legal framework.
Target Conditions
The organization targets invalid patents and NPE assertions that hinder innovation and impose undue burdens on operating companies.
Relevant Timelines for Anticipated Milestones
Unified Patents does not publicly disclose specific timelines for its patent challenges or deterrence activities. The organization operates proactively to address patent issues as they arise.
Technological Platform and Innovation
Proprietary Technologies
Unified Patents utilizes proprietary tools such as OPAL (Objective Patent Landscape) for patent analytics, PATROLL for prior art crowdsourcing, and OPEN for standards submissions. These tools are designed to enhance patent quality and deter invalid patent assertions.
Significant Scientific Methods
The organization employs data-driven strategies, including analytics, prior art searches, patentability analysis, and administrative patent reviews, to challenge invalid patents and deter NPE activities.
Leadership Team
Kevin Jakel – CEO and Founder
Kevin Jakel is the CEO and Founder of Unified Patents. He previously served as the head of intellectual property litigation at Intuit. Under his leadership, Unified Patents has grown to over 250 members and has been instrumental in challenging numerous NPE patents.
Shawn Ambwani – COO and Co-Founder
Shawn Ambwani is the COO and Co-Founder of Unified Patents. He has played a key role in the organization's growth and strategic direction, focusing on expanding its initiatives and capabilities.
Competitor Profile
Market Insights and Dynamics
The market for patent risk mitigation services is growing, with increasing demand from technology companies seeking to protect their innovations from NPE assertions. Organizations like Unified Patents play a critical role in this ecosystem by providing services that deter frivolous litigation and improve patent quality.
Competitor Analysis
Key competitors in this space include RPX Corporation, which offers patent risk management solutions, and the LOT Network, a nonprofit organization focused on combating patent assertion entities. These organizations provide similar services aimed at reducing patent litigation risks for technology companies.
Strategic Collaborations and Partnerships
Unified Patents collaborates with various industry stakeholders, including technology companies, open-source organizations, and industry groups, to enhance its deterrence efforts and promote patent quality. These partnerships enable Unified Patents to leverage a broad network of resources and expertise in its mission to combat NPE assertions.
Operational Insights
Unified Patents operates independently of its members, maintaining strict separation to ensure unbiased and effective deterrence activities. The organization monitors NPE activities, including ownership changes, secondary-market patent sales, demand letters, post-grant procedures, and litigation trends, delivering alerts and analytics to help assess risks.
Strategic Opportunities and Future Directions
Unified Patents continues to expand its initiatives, including launching dedicated zones to monitor and deter NPE activity in emerging technology areas such as artificial intelligence and blockchain. The organization remains committed to its mission of improving patent quality and reducing frivolous litigation, positioning itself as a key player in the evolving landscape of patent risk mitigation.
