VIRTUAL PATENT MARKING SOFTWARE TOOL, MARKRTM, LAUNCHED HELPING SAVE TIME AND MONEY FOR THE PHARMACEUTICALS INDUSTRY

VIRTUAL PATENT MARKING SOFTWARE TOOL, MARKR^TM, LAUNCHED

 HELPING SAVE TIME AND MONEY FOR THE PHARMACEUTICALS INDUSTRY

IP/ legal software service provider Terrifio^TM launched their Markr^TM system, the new online virtual patent marking tool for the fast moving pharmaceuticals industry.   Markr conveniently automates repetitive tasks required for accurate virtual patent marking (“VPM”), maintains a litigation-ready audit trail, and expands public access to patent information.  Markr allows companies to accurately record and post online their patents, making potentially complicated VPM evidence creation for patent enforcement and litigation a thing of the past. 

Markr users conveniently and contemporaneously build a database of their pending applications, published applications, and issued patents and can “link” each with associated products.  Once a database foundation is initially completed, users download a fully populated VPM Notice Page (including an editable caveat) that is easily posted to a dedicated VPM URL (“VPM link”) on their website. Users finalise the VPM requirements by adding the VPM link to online product information and labels on the associated products – in the dynamic and ever-changing pharmaceuticals industry, this can be achieved as a real-time running change with virtually no expense. Updates to the VPM Notice Page to reflect changes in the user’s patent portfolio and associated products can be done as new patent applications are filed or on a periodic schedule. 

Markr delivers VPM to the pharmaceuticals industry to take advantage of the benefits of establishing timely, early constructive notice, which in turn helps improve the chances of maximizing litigation damages and pre-litigation leverage against infringers.   

“VPM can be a valuable addition to any pharmaceuticals company IP program and its proactive processes” says Jim Gastle co-founder of Markr.  “With breakthroughs in medicines and vaccines being developed all the time, the need to timely and efficiently mark patents is hugely important to remaining competitive.  With a chance to participate in our early access programme, it’s a great way to test the potential of virtual patent marking for a business at no cost.  Once an active VPM programme foundation is established the companies have the security of knowing that potential infringers have clear and up to date constructive notice.”   

Explaining the vision behind Markr, Gastle, who has 25 years’ experience as a Registered Patent Agent in Canada, and working closely with U.S. patent attorneys, was surprised that while some of the top global proprietary product brand firms had a VPM page, the vast majority do not.  “Without a VPM program, companies may be eroding considerable value and leverage in damages provided by an early constructive notice date.  Without such notice, these businesses may be self-limiting the potential damages to the time period starting from the date of sending an actual notice letter, rather than potentially capitalizing on up to a full six year period preceding the filing of a complaint, potentially leading to a significant loss in money damages.  This can have a dramatic effect on settlement leverage, as well.”

Virtual patent marking offers many benefits over traditional patent marking, the most obvious benefit being saving considerable time and expense as the patent owner no longer needs to individually manage the minutia of placing specific patent information on a specific version of products and/or packaging. Also, the patent owner does not go to the expense of updating this as and when required.  Instead, it simply can be updated via its online VPM link on demand.  Suitable for all patent-owning businesses large and small, the highly competitive high-tech pharmaceuticals industry, comprising 65% of all patent litigation cases and 62% of all filings in the US ^[1], has the most to gain.

Markr can be used as a standalone platform and, following the initial free early access period, the pricing for Markr will be linked to various usage packages similar to other SaaS pricing models.

“I’m surprised by the proportion of patent owners that appear not to use virtual patent marking, even those that use traditional physical marking,” comments Grant Peters, partner, Barnes & Thornburg LLP.  “Some lack of use may be due to unfamiliarity with the process and the perceived effort required to establish a baseline. Some of the lack of use may be due to the absence of an easy to use software tool to help automate the process.  I believe there is value in virtual patent marking but unlocking it requires early, proper, traceable patent marking.  MARKR presents a compelling proposition to efficiently build a marking baseline, maintain traceable records, and update the information in real time.”

https://www.terrifio.com/  

^[1] https://legaljobs.io/blog/patent-litigation-statistics/