Just Granted: First Steps
Should I license my patent or sell it?
The short answer
Economic research suggests the size of the innovation should drive the choice: smaller innovations tend to suit outright sales, while moderate-to-large innovations often earn more through royalty-bearing licenses. Your capital position and desired involvement matter just as much.
The full picture
Sell when you want certainty: a clean payout, no execution risk, no monitoring. License when the market is broad enough for royalties to compound, when multiple companies could use the invention, or when you want to stay attached to its upside. Hybrid deals exist too — an upfront payment plus running royalties.
A useful gut check: if you can name one obvious buyer and the invention mainly strengthens their existing product, a sale conversation makes sense. If you can name ten companies across several industries, licensing math usually wins. Running that gut check against real market data for your specific patent is a short exercise — and often a surprising one.
Where does your patent stand?
The Beyond the Patent Commercialization Score answers that — a professional, factor-by-factor read on your patent's licensing, sale, build, and partner potential.
Related questions
General information for patent owners — not legal advice. Read the disclaimer.