The general approach of EuroIPSC follows the stages of a project development, with ongoing involvement at the various project stages and decision points. This approach with decision gates between the individual stages allows an efficient cost control.

The first step is to ensure, that the various project members are aware of the IP related potential benefits and risks of the project. Henceforth EuroIPSC offers an Introductory seminar for management as well as for technologists.

Obviously pending a positive decision to further pursue towards developing an IP strategy, the Exploratory phase aims at establishing a coarse road map of the field. It includes a portfolio mapping of client's and key competitors IP assets, a review with clients technologists, allowing a second level refined analysis allowing a "white / dark space" mapping within a first level IP strategy to allow management considerations and decisions.

In the next stage, the IP strategy will be furthered along the development activities of the project, with a continuous feedback mechanism.

• The identified "white space" will be analysed for business relevant overlap with the actual development scope. Patentable or otherwise protectable scope will be identified, broadened (possibly into the roam of neighbouring fields), and prepared for getting appropriate protection.
• In cooperation with legal advisors / attorneys respective applications for such protection will be filed.
• Upon adequate legal instructions, identified "dark space" will be considered for its relevance, and potential implications on development direction, or on reaching for licenses.
• During deployment of the strategy, the strategy itself will be continuously and iteratively updated - including the own activities, but also external input, such a competitors moves, publications, or changing IP rights (e.g. the scope of a competitors patent upon grant could be less than considered when assessing the previously published patent application).
• Of course, an important aspect within this phase is the procedure to get the own filed IP rights also allowed or granted. Following the principle for EuroIPSC to not engage in legal aspects, this will be the (often challenging) task of legal advisors / attorneys.

Once enforceable IP rights are available, a further important stage is reached in the IP strategy cycle - the exploitation.

• Obviously, this is the most obvious step of harvesting the fruit of all the effort. Yet again, this requires a consolidated effort of all groups involved - and EuroIPSC offers to coordinate the business aspects (like who is the key competitor to look for first), technical ones (like identifying potential infringer) and, of course, the legal ones (how strong, enforceable is a claim).
• Evenly important is the continuous review of the owned patent rights - seemingly small amounts of yearly maintenance fees can accumulate to significant sums, such that an important bottom line impact could be achieved by - for example - donating patent rights to appropriate institutions.

Eventually, this circle for a patent strategy is finished - but the story will start all over again - or rather should have started already way back - when the next project was started... .