How much is a patent worth?

The value of a patent depends on the reason for the evaluation and who is exploiting the invention. For example, a patent will be valued differently if it is part of a bankrupt company's assets than in the context of ongoing production. The value it has for a bank, which can only resell it, is different to its value for a market participant who already has the means to produce it.

In addition to monetary value, patents also have a non-monetary value. For example, they may improve the image of a company. Receiving patents for their own inventions may also increase the inventors' reputation and act as an incentive for even greater innovativeness.