Opportunities include connecting equipment and devices, building domain expertise and customer relationships. Threats include security and shaping platform standards.

Network

Opportunities include new products and services via connected networks, edge analytics and real-time services. For example, patient monitoring in hospitals, quality control in factories etc.

Challenges include long standing relationships with new equipment makers (Cisco, Ericsson, Huawei, Nokia) and telecom service providers. Challenges include improvement in connections and better services to locate, authenticate and connect remote devices. Additional challenges include lifecycle management services to maintain, upgrade and secure complex devices and sensor networks.

Data analytics

Opportunities exist for traditional analytics vendors (IBM, SAP), cloud service providers (AWS, Alibaba), system integrators for strengthening external customer relationships and to offer tailored products and services. Challenges include multiple data sources whereby selecting right ones for insights and decisions becomes difficult. As custom solutions grow, it can result in limited integration witFh2>
Opportunities include new products and services via connected networks, edge analytics and real-time services. For example, patient monitoring in hospitals, quality control in factories etc.

Challenges include long standing relationships with new equipment makers (Cisco, Ericsson, Huawei, Nokia) and telecom service providers. Challenges include improvement in connections and better services to locate, authenticate and connect remote devices. Additional challenges include lifecycle management services to maintain, upgrade and secure complex devices and sensor networks.

Data analytics

Opportunities exist for traditional analytics vendors (IBM, SAP), cloud service providers (AWS, Alibaba), system integrators for strengthening external customer relationships and to offer tailored products and services. Challenges include multiple data sources whereby selecting right ones for insights and decisions becomes difficult. As custom solutions grow, it can result in limited integration with broader data services.

Autonomous

Opportunities exist for latest technology sectors including robotics, drones and driverless cars, as most sensor information is collected locally and processed on board, which results in lesser need for remote data storage. Challenges include real-time capabilities and technologies, including computer vision, machine learning etc.

IoT – Applications and Examples

Internet of things have penetrated across multiple industry sectors and IoT applications can be seen in transportation finance, healthcare, retail, industrial automation and even the military. Some of the IoT examples include iBeacon (retail), smart industrial machines by GE, drones with powerful sensors for military applications, etc.

IoT Characteristics

Products embodying internet of things possess certain core characteristics, including, limited user interface (UI), limited processing power, limited bandwidth and limited battery life. Such characteristics provide a perfect combination for IoT applications that demand massive outreach without burdening the infrastructure.

Internet of Things – Legal Aspects

IoT devices and applications cover a diverse range of innovations eligible for creation of intellectual property rights by way of patents. Valuable Iot patent portfolios can be created by focusing on patentable IoT patent inventions, which get approved after preliminary prior art searches and patentability analysis.

Freedom to Operate – Joint Patent Infringement

Innovations can be launched after ensuring that there exists freedom to operate and any third party patent rights will not be infringed. In case of IoT based innovations, scenarios of joint patent infringement may be possible considering the interactive and collaborative nature of the Internet of Things.

While drafting patent claims and writing patent applications for IoT based inventions, quality of IoT patent is crucial for highlighting the inventiveness and novelty of the technology. In use, majority of innovations belong to the field of consumer devices and software. Secondly, IoT patents protecting next generation technological innovations may set industry standards or utilize existing ones, such as, BLE, 6LoWPAN, etc. Since most of inventions in this space are collaborative and interactive, patent owners may face patent enforcement issues.

Valuable IP and Patent Portfolios can be developed to include Internet of Things based innovations, which can be commercialized and monetized by exploiting the evolving nature of IoT.

Data Privacy in IoT applications

Owing to the big data generated by IoT applications and devices, drafting a data collection policy to suit the needs of the business is crucial. Across all stages of IoT, including manufacturing, use, generation and utilization of data, legal issues can arise. Key is to have strong understanding of core products and to engage in strategic counselling for creation and enhancement of IoT.

IoT Patent Lawyers and Patent Attorneys

Technology lawyers and patent attorneys working with clients in IoT sector have to understand their scope of work to cover telecom and consumer protection regulations. A thorough understanding of IoT based businesses is required to advise clients on multiple aspects, including, operations and infrastructure, growth and finance, privacy and cybersecurity regulations, IP disputes, payment systems, and related aspects of disruptive technologies.

IoT innovations are prone to raise ethical issues in collecting million devices, which can easily expand to a billion. Apart from issues pertaining to patent infringement, related issues include data security, data privacy, authentication, data and IP ownership, information governance, product liability programs, confidentiality, industry standards, educational outreach, equipment authorization, tax, custom compliance and legal strategy patent strategy, public policy, government representation, audits, international commercial and technology contracts etc.

Industry wise, IoT is bound to grow multifold in autonomous and e-mobility sectors, thereby requiring multi-tiered supply structure, application of telecom and media regulations, opportunities for information technology (IT) and media companies, cybersecurity in vehicles, payment models in cars, big data in automobiles, etc.