System and method for enabling channel community ratings in an IP marketplace

#The present disclosure generally relates to providing a trading marketplace, and more particularly, to providing an automated platform to enable intellectual property transactions.

#The marketplace for intellectual property (IP) assets tends to underperform due to several issues. For example, the marketplace is fragmented and the marketplace generally lacks defined channels for buyers, sellers and service providers to find each other and transact. The marketplace also lacks standardization in that many potential deals either never materialize or are not completed because of a lack of standards, centralized knowledge and best practices. Moreover, many IP transactors (buyers and sellers) lack the tools to accomplish the steps that comprise a successful IP transaction. Attempts to address these fragmentation and standardization issues include trying to consolidate IP transactors within specific industries and creating seller specific solutions. However, these attempts fall short of providing a universal, end-to-end solution.

#As such, a long felt need exists for a universal, end-to-end, automated, standards driven IP marketplace solution that is open to all or a subset of IP transactors, regardless of industry, and that provides standardized tools to help IP sellers identify, value and market their IP.

#A more complete understanding of the present inventions may be derived by referring to the detailed description and claims when considered in connection with the Figures, wherein like reference numbers refer to similar elements throughout the Figures, and:

#FIG. 1A is a block diagram illustrating a high level conceptual design for enabling an IP marketplace, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

#FIG. 1B is a block diagram illustrating major system components for enabling an IP marketplace, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

#The systems and methods provide an improved, tangible, integrated, online IP marketplace. An embodiment may be implemented by a system, computer readable medium or a method or any combination thereof. The systems and methods include a unique combination of one or more features associated with an IP marketplace. In various embodiments, the system provides a marketplace for interested buyers and sellers to engage in IP transactions. The system may be implemented as a web-based system that provides a process for managing the marketing and sales process of licensing and commercializing IP assets. A transaction platform (or transaction engine) consolidates the processes necessary for sellers to present their available IP, thereby allowing for a more efficient, standardized process for bringing IP to the market. The system enables a one-stop shopping resource for buyers of IP, providing not only a marketplace for available IP, but centralized access to service providers. In various embodiments, the system facilitates deal negotiation and execution, while also providing search and referral services for IP resources.

#Exemplary benefits of the system include providing standardized data, processes, and valuation and rating methods to members of an IP marketplace. The members of the marketplace benefit by the efficiency and transparency created by this standardization. Sellers are better able to market and commercialize IP assets and buyers benefit from being able to perform comparative analysis for IP assets that are presented in a standardized manner. The IP marketplace provides new revenue streams to the IP owners by helping to merchandise IP assets. Efficiencies are gained by creating a community of IP owners, industry professionals, sellers and service providers that transact across a common platform.

#While the embodiments described herein are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, it should be understood that other embodiments may be realized and that logical and mechanical changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus, the detailed description herein is presented for purposes of illustration only and not of limitation.