Industrial Property Office Interview with RVmagnetics executive

In a recent video feature by the Industrial Property Office of the Slovak Republic and European Union Intellectual Property Office , Vice-Chairman of RVmagnetics, Vladimir Marhefka, shared insights on the importance of intellectual property (IP) protection, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

Why Intellectual Property Protection Matters for SMEs

RVmagnetics provides unique sensor solutions based on MicroWire technology, and our involvement in a variety of industries and locations/ Strategic value of safeguarding IP secures a competitive advantage in today's innovation-driven economy. For SMEs, like RVmagnetics, formal IP protection like patents can significantly boost market credibility, attract strategic investment, and provide long-term security for core innovations:

“With this broader scope, we recognized the need to protect not only our innovations but also the collaborative efforts with our partners. The patent provides us with a safeguard, ensuring that our technology and these partnerships are protected in the face of OEM involvement. It was about securing our position while also respecting the shared work and value we created with our partners."

How RVmagnetics Approaches Innovation and IP Safeguarding

The interview describes RVmagnetics’ own decision-making process regarding patenting. It explains how such decisions are tightly aligned with our broader business and innovation strategy. The interview highlights the benefits of active cooperation with national offices like the Slovak Industrial Property Office. It also stresses the value of building smoother, more accessible patenting pathways for emerging businesses.

“As we innovate and develop new technologies and technical solutions for our clients, we rely on the patent office to ensure a streamlined and transparent patent filing process. Efficient communication during the application phase is vital to securing protection in a timely manner.

Another area is ensuring clarity around patentability criteria, especially as we navigate the evolving landscape of emerging technologies. By working closely with the patent office, we can better understand the scope of protections available and ensure our filings align with both national and international regulations.

Lastly, as we grow and our intellectual property portfolio expands, we see opportunities for ongoing dialogue with the patent office to address any challenges or opportunities related to global patent enforcement. This will help us safeguard our innovations and maintain a competitive edge in our partnerships."

The Strategic Benefits of Patenting for Growing Businesses

Export strategies are another focal point in this context for RVmagnetics, with an emphasis on how especially SMEs can maintain brand integrity and product innovation when entering foreign markets. We underscore the importance of not just protecting the IP but also tackling the often-overlooked issue of funding IP protection, outlining accessible financing options that help smaller enterprises protect their innovations without excessive financial burden.

For RVmagnetics, this commitment to innovation and strategic IP management remains central to our growth and global competitiveness.

If interested, continue reading the transcript of the whole interview below.

Why did you decide to protect your IP with a patent?

Over the years, we’ve invested significant time, resources, and expertise in developing proprietary technologies that set us apart, so securing intellectual property rights through patents helps us safeguard those assets and protect our unique innovations and the competitive advantage.

Additionally, it enhances our credibility with clients, partners, and investors, who recognize that a patent is a mark of both innovation and legal protection. It also opens up opportunities for licensing and potential collaborations, which can drive further growth for the company.

What is the benefit of this?

„Patenting our know-how offers significant benefits beyond just protecting our intellectual property. It not only safeguards the value of our innovations but it also actively creates and grows that value. In many industries is often a prerequisite for engaging with top-tier companies. For us, it’s been our ticket to forming partnerships with Fortune 500 companies, opening doors that would otherwise remain closed. Ultimately, a patent strengthens our position in the market while enhancing our credibility and competitive edge.“

What led you to this decision?

Initially, we treated our know-how as a trade secret. The decision to patent our know-how resulted from a longer journey, with a turning point around 2021. As we began working more closely with Tier 1 suppliers in both the automotive and aviation industries, our sensing technology needs to be integrated into components and materials destined for OEM assembly. This shifted our perspective from a simple bilateral relationship to a more complex, trilateral one.

With this broader scope, we recognized the need to protect not only our innovations but also the collaborative efforts with our partners. The patent provides us with a safeguard, ensuring that our technology and these partnerships are protected in the face of OEM involvement. It was about securing our position while also respecting the shared work and value we created with our partners."

Where do you see room for cooperation with the patent office?

As we innovate and develop new technologies and technical solutions for our clients, we rely on the patent office to ensure a streamlined and transparent patent filing process. Efficient communication during the application phase is vital to securing protection in a timely manner.

Another area is ensuring clarity around patentability criteria, especially as we navigate the evolving landscape of emerging technologies. By working closely with the patent office, we can better understand the scope of protections available and ensure our filings align with both national and international regulations.

Lastly, as we grow and our intellectual property portfolio expands, we see opportunities for ongoing dialogue with the patent office to address any challenges or opportunities related to global patent enforcement. This will help us safeguard our innovations and maintain a competitive edge in our partnerships."