Structuring and Operating Patent Intermediary as Platform Ecosystem: Case Studies of Patent Operation Platforms (POPs) in China

Alongside Patent Super Aggregators represented by Intellectual Ventures in the United States, there is a trend to construct patent intermediary in the context of platform ecosystem. Accordingly, patent operation platforms (POPs) have emerged recently in China, yet few studies focus on uncovering their structures and operating mechanisms. This article aims to explore them based on two in-depth case studies with the application of a four-dimensional service innovation framework. Findings pinpoint that POP consists of ‘Patent Plus’ database, patent service platform and two-sided patent platform, as a closed loop. In this structure, ICT plays a prominent role, connected with new service concepts, service delivery system and client interface, to operate the platform. Our article also shows implications to POP related theory and practice.