Intellectual Property Auctions
Leveraging the excitement only achieved in a live open-cry auction format, Ocean Tomo Auctions present market-ready IP portfolios to a network of engaged buyers present in person and via telepresence remote access. The first Ocean Tomo Live Intellectual Property Auction was held in San Francisco, California in April 2006. Since that time Ocean Tomo has hosted nine auctions in the United States and Europe with transactions on and off the floor in excess of $100 million US dollars.
Ocean Tomo’s multi-lot, live auctions are a forum of commerce facilitating the exchange of intellectual property among a wide variety of market participants. The auction format brings urgency and closure to IP transactions, creating both liquidity for IP owners and transparency for the market overall.
Ocean Tomo Auctions serves buyers and sellers across North America, Europe, and Asia ranging from mid-size to Fortune 100 operating companies. Ocean Tomo Auctions actively welcomes and will recognize third party brokers wanting to present contracted portfolios for sale. Together our efforts will make the marketplace for patent transactions more efficient. Patent owners, manufacturers and the consuming public all benefit from a more open and public record of patent transfer.
The sales process is based on traditional auction practice including a live auctioneer taking bids in person, by telephone, proxy, absentee instruction, and for the first time, by telepresence. There are however several key differences between an auction for patents as compared to an auction for traditional tangible assets. Notably, the due diligence process can be longer and more detailed. Accordingly, Ocean Tomo has created an on-line secure data room designed to support IP buyer diligence. The contents of the data room vary by lot, but generally include patent office correspondence, license agreements, litigation history and other background information provided by the seller or seller’s broker. In select cases, third party generated Evidence-of-Use (EOU) is included.
Unique to IP transactions, many prospective buyers are concerned over confidentiality so as not to be viewed as either a willful infringer or future licensing target if they are unsuccessful in their bid. Ocean Tomo addresses such concern in several ways including blind bidding, double-blind bidding and standard transaction documents which specify that sellers may not use participation in the auction as evidence in any future proceedings.
The Ocean Tomo Auction team is actively seeking patents and other intangible assets in the following technology areas:
- AR/VR
- Internet of Things
- Autonomous Vehicle
- Media
- Data Center
- Semiconductor
- Display
- Telecommunications
Technologies related to consumer electronics including battery technology, power management and components such as microphones and sensors are also sought for the Auction.
For further information on the technologies in demand for the Auction, please visit OceanTomoAuctions.com.
To submit patents for consideration by the Ocean Tomo Live IP Auction team, visit: https://oceantomo.com/submit-patents-for-sale/ and complete the form provided. Potential sellers can upload an excel file with the patent numbers directly to this form. Content you will need readily available to complete the form includes:
- Submitter Name, Email and Phone Number
- Patent/Application Numbers
- Technology Area
- Summary of Technique Described in Patent(s)
- Potential Users
- Additional Background Information
Please do not upload any client/attorney privileged information.
Sellers are charged a 15% commission at the closing of a transaction. Buyers are charged a 10% premium on top of the winning bid amount. There is a $2500 listing fee for each lot included in the auction.
What Others Are Saying
We welcome offerings supported by strong ‘evidence-of-use’ … my team doesn’t have time to evaluate and prioritize everything that comes across my desk.
Fortune 250 Tech Co.
I like the real-time market intelligence a live auction provides. This helps me value future acquisition opportunities.
Fortune 100 Tech Co.
An auction can help close a sale faster than a private transaction because the market knows there is a fixed date on which they will be able to acquire a portfolio.
Fortune 100 Tech Co.
We are focused on quality rather than quantity and the patents we are looking to acquire must meet very specific objectives.
Fortune 250 Tech Co.
Frequently Asked Questions
Patent owners who wish to sell independent patents, a patent family, or a portfolio first complete an Ocean Tomo Seller Agreement which contains specific terms for the sale such as the inclusion of future related assets or retention of a license back. Assets accepted are then given a transaction serial number and assigned a virtual data room in which the seller may disclose further details. The targeted purchase price may be included in the auction catalogue. Ocean Tomo Auctions meet sellers’ demands for low transaction costs, serious buyers, and IP brokering assistance to close sales on acceptable terms.
Buyers must complete an Ocean Tomo Bidder Agreement which includes credit verification. This verification must meet predetermined standards set by Ocean Tomo in order to bid. Once the buyer is approved, Ocean Tomo assigns a paddle number. All Bids placed are contractually binding; the Ocean Tomo Auctions team handles the remainder of the transaction.
With a wide variety of patents available and a global community of buyers, Ocean Tomo Auctions are an optimal transaction platform for both buyers and sellers. Enhanced price transparency combined with clear but flexible agreements and an efficient platform ensure low transaction cost and an effortless process for all parties. Ocean Tomo Auctions represents the gold standard in IP market development from a proven pioneer.