What is the Difference between Patent Acquisition and Merger & Acquisition?
In the world of intellectual property and corporate strategy, the terms patent acquisition and merger & acquisition (M&A) often get conflated — but they refer to very different mechanisms, with distinct risks, structures, and strategic implications. Below is a comparative breakdown to help clarify when each approach makes sense and how they differ in practice. Definition & Scope of patent acquisition and Merger and Acquisition Patent Acquisition A patent acquisition is a transaction in which one party purchases one or more specific patent assets (or a patent portfolio) from another party. The acquiring entity obtains ownership (or license rights) to the patent(s), but generally does not assume the target company’s liabilities, operations, or other assets. The focus is narrow: the patent(s) themselves. As with any transfer of patent rights, these transactions are treated as assignments or transfers of IP assets (or licensing ...