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EKSPLA, a Lithuanian SME set up in 1992, started off supplying customised high-performance laser systems to scientific laboratories. It later extended its product range to standardised laser systems for industrial applications. The move to producing standardised lasers made IP more important. EKSPLA now owns twelve patent families. In addition, some of its incremental innovations are kept as trade secrets. EKSPLA participates in EU projects and co-operates on R& D with contract manufacturers. Decisions to file patent applications are taken together with its partners. As its main competitors are based in Europe, EKSPLA looks forward to the Unitary Patent as a means of securing more extensive patent protection in the region.

A renewable energy company founded in 2008, Orcan Energy offers standard components for heat power generators that recycle waste heat by turning it into electricity, using the Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC), a process similar to that used in steam engines. Having started as a spin-off from the Technical University of Munich (TUM) in Germany, Orcan now has 65 employees. Patents are important, because the risk of Orcan’s standard components being copied is high. Eight early patents were filed by the TUM and then subsequently acquired by Orcan. Ownership of these patents was vital in order to attract funding. Orcan co-operates with other companies, but simplifies patent management by avoiding joint ownership. It has a detailed patent protection strategy and understands when to file a patent application and where to file it.

Founded in 2006, Marinomed is an Austrian biopharmaceutical spin-off from the University of Vienna. The company’s main technology platform is based on the natural polymer Carragelose, which is isolated from red algae and is active against respiratory viruses. As a drug discovery company, Marinomed is heavily dependent on patent protection. It has three main patents, which have been validated in almost 100 countries, and a trade mark registered in around 50 countries. The company actively manages its patent portfolio and grants licences for its technology. Marinomed has experienced infringement of its patents, but was able to resolve the cases without going to court.