Strategic options to tackle patent expiration: theoretical framework and case studies Online publication date: Thu, 02-Apr-2009
by Christina Raasch
International Journal of Intellectual Property Management (IJIPM), Vol. 3, No. 3, 2009
Abstract: Patents grant patent holders a temporary monopoly, excluding other parties from making commercial use of the patented invention without authorisation and thereby allowing their owners to recoup investment. In many industries, the loss of patent-protected exclusivity and the ensuing market entry of competitors are known to be followed by a severe decline of the incumbent's sales and profit. This paper investigates strategies, which incumbents can adopt to cushion these adverse effects. Taking the pharmaceutical industry as an example, we explore the strategy space available to firms in situations of patent expiration, providing a comprehensive analytical framework. The study is based on expert interviews and secondary data of key effort and performance variables. Four prominent case studies from the German market analyse strategy choice, implementation and success in large pharmaceutical companies. Implications for industry and policy-making as well as the transferability of the proposed strategic framework to other industries are discussed.
Existing subscribers:
Go to Inderscience Online Journals to access the Full Text of this article.
If you are not a subscriber and you just want to read the full contents of this article, buy online access here.Complimentary Subscribers, Editors or Members of the Editorial Board of the International Journal of Intellectual Property Management (IJIPM):
Login with your Inderscience username and password:
Want to subscribe?
A subscription gives you complete access to all articles in the current issue, as well as to all articles in the previous three years (where applicable). See our Orders page to subscribe.
If you still need assistance, please email subs@inderscience.com
Our Blog 
Follow us on Twitter 
Visit us on Facebook