What is HARVESTER?
Harvester is an online marketplace where trademarks, patents, industrial designs, copyright, utility models or non-fungible tokens can be bought, sold, licensed and even funded! IP Harvester has qualified IP Agents that can oversee these transactions to ensure smooth and effortless transactions. In addition to providing qualified IP Agents, Harvester provides a list of services to make trading in IP simple and profitable such as Local, Regional and International IP Filings, IP Valuations and IP Audits.
WHO CAN BENEFIT FROM HARVESTER?
The following persons or companies can benefit from Harvester:
- Entrepreneurs
- Trademark Owner
- Patent Owner
- Copyright Owner
- Industrial Design Owner
- NFT Owner
- Investors
- Investment seekers
- Financial Institutions
- Start-Ups
HOW DOES IP HARVESTER WORK?
IP OWNER
IP Harvester has registered Agents that manage the purchase and sale of IP Assets. An IP Owner can contact an IP Agent from our vetted list of qualified Agents who can list their IP on Harvester. The IP Agent will strategize with the IP Owner on the best way to monetize the IP and then create a listing for the IP on Harvester. All the details relating to the IP and the type of trading will be made available online for potential IP buyers. Where there is a potential buyer, the IP Agent will advise the IP Owner and handle the necessary paperwork required to complete the transaction. Agent fees are determined by the Agents.
IP Owners are allowed to list their own IP Assets but are encouraged to seek legal advice from a qualified IP Attorney at Law prior to listing.
IP BUYER
If you are interested in acquiring IP assets, you can search on our platform for the type of IP, type of trade and the jurisdiction which you are interested in. Where you find a listing you are interested in, you can contact the relevant IP Agent or IP Owner to get further information and start the process of acquiring the IP asset. IP Buyers are recommended to have their own IP Attorney at Law review any Agreements before signing.
HOW DO I BECOME AN IP AGENT?
All IP Agents are required to be approved by IP Harvester prior to registration. The IP Agent can make an application to ‘[email protected]’ and will be contacted by IP Harvester to provide required documentation.
The following persons are eligible to be IP Agents:
- Attorneys at Law specializing in IP for more than 3 years
- IP Professionals practicing in the field for over 5 years
- Registered Law Firms and Companies
DO YOU NEED AN IP AGENT?
Intellectual Property is a very specialized field and it is important to ensure qualified professionals oversee the sale, licensing and purchase of any type of IP. We have vetted all IP Agents to ensure that proper guidance is given to rights owners and to ensure that transactions are conducted in keeping with all relevant laws.
IP Owners can choose to list their IP themselves, but they are strongly advised to consult with an IP Agent before trading any of their rights.
Harvester operates in the following countries:
- Antigua & Barbuda
- Barbados
- Guyana
- Jamaica
- St. Kitts
- Trinidad and Tobago
HOW CAN YOU FUND YOUR IP ON HARVESTER?
There are many innovators & Start-Ups that have million-dollar ideas but lack the capital to turn these ideas into IP assets due to high R&D or manufacturing costs. IP Harvester allows these innovators and Start-Ups to list their projects and attract investors. IP Agents can help these innovators and Start-Ups to properly protect their ideas or innovations before listing for investment.
WHAT DOES ‘TRADE YOUR IP’ MEAN?
Intellectual Property Assets are only as valuable as the use made of it. There are various ways to ‘trade your IP’ or monetize your IP. You can assign/sell your IP or give permission to other traders to use your IP.
WHAT VARIOUS REVENUE STREAMS ARE AVAILABLE FROM IP ASSETS?
Sale of IP
One quick and easy way to trade your IP is to sell all rights to it. This is a quick and easy solution to monetize your IP. This can be very beneficial in the short term where the IP Owner needs money in a short period of time. However, in the long-run, this option is usually the least profitable way to trade your IP.
License of IP
A license is a grant of permission to use something. IP Owners can license use of their IP rights and can make the license specific for a certain time period or jurisdiction. The license can be either exclusive or non-exclusive. Where exclusive licenses are given, this yields higher license/royalty fees. However, where a non-exclusive license is granted, the IP owner can provide a cheaper license/royalty fee but have many licensees.
Licensing is a great option for IP Owners who have valuable IP and do not wish to create the goods/services themselves or where an IP Owner will like to have additional revenue streams from the IP Asset.
There are more formalized types of licensing that can be very beneficial for an IP owner such as:
Franchising
IP owners can create a franchise model and license use its IP, business method and/or know how for a period, subject to a royalty. The IP Owner retains ownership of its IP and monitors the Franchisee. This is one of the quickest methods to expand a company.
Merchandising
A license can be granted by an IP Owner where its IP can be used to create branded products, usually for a specific period of time. The Licensee is granted the right to produce certain products in exchange for a royalty for its use.
WHAT STEPS SHOULD BE TAKEN BEFORE TRADING YOUR IP?
Before trading you IP, it is always advisable to:
Conduct an IP Audit
An IP Audit is an overview of your IP Assets to ensure they are properly protected and to determine the best way to commercialize the IP.
Do an IP Valuation
It is important to know the value of your IP before trading it. This will help to determine the best value for the sale or license of your IP. There are various valuation methods that can assist you with making the best financial decision for your IP.