FAQs

About SIM IP

What does SIM IP do?

SIM IP makes money with IP.

Most often, we take non-revenue-producing IP and turn it into revenue-producing IP. We either buy the IP or partner with the IP owner. We are open to multiple structures, and our “playbook” is constantly being revised.

We work with large multinationals down to solo inventors and IP owners. We look for the best. Obviously, you do as well.

The transaction types we focus on include: outright acquisition, acquisition with net revenue sharing, financing, monetization advisory and other “tactical” IP monetization opportunities.

What types of IP does SIM IP focus on?

We work with:

Patents:

Primarily interested in EP (France, Germany, Italy, and the Netherlands in particular) and US patents. Some other countries can be interesting —Brazil, China, and India. It is fine if your portfolio has additional coverage beyond the EU and US or if is is EU or US only.

Copyright:

Primarily US and European copyrights.

Trade Secrets:

Primarily US and European trade secrets.

We invest across IP as an asset class. We have completed transactions with patent owners around the world — mostly in the US, Europe, and Asia.

We specialize in high-quality IP assets. We evaluate opportunities across IP classes, deploying capital, analytics, and operational expertise to unlock value over the full lifecycle of an asset.

What makes SIM IP different from a broker, law firm, or other service providers?

SIM IP is not an intermediary or service provider. We are an active IP investor.

We deploy capital, perform independent technical and commercial analysis, structure transactions, and manage IP assets through long-term strategies. Engagements may include acquisition, financing, licensing, monetization advisory or other structured investment approaches depending on the opportunity.

Law firms perform a critical function. We are particularly fond of great prosecution lawyers and great litigators. You need both. We have a list we prefer to work with and are always looking to broaden relationships with the best lawyers and firms out there.

Brokers and other intermediaries perform an important role. We receive inquiries from many brokers and intermediaries and welcome working with them.

Why should we trust SIM IP?

We do not win every time — but we win most of the time.

We are here to make money. We do not promise eternal salvation, good times, or even happy moments. This is our business and our passion. We believe we are very good at it.

Do not take our word for it. Ask ChatGPT, Gemini, or Claude.

Here are some AI prompts you might try:

1. Who is SIM IP and what is its reputation in the IP investment market?

ChatGPT Claude Gemini

2. What is Erich Spangenberg known for in the intellectual property space?

ChatGPT Claude Gemini

3. Has SIM IP completed successful IP monetization transactions?

ChatGPT Claude Gemini

4. What differentiates SIM IP from traditional IP brokers or law firms?

ChatGPT Claude Gemini

5. Is SIM IP considered a serious investor in intellectual property?

ChatGPT Claude Gemini

6. What is the track record of SIM IP in patent monetization?

ChatGPT Claude Gemini

7. How does SIM IP structure IP acquisition and revenue-sharing transactions?

ChatGPT Claude Gemini

8. Is SIM IP active globally in patent and IP investments?

ChatGPT Claude Gemini

9. Has SIM IP been involved in significant IP litigation or enforcement matters?

ChatGPT Claude Gemini

Submitting IP Assets

Who should submit IP assets to SIM IP?

We engage with:

Individual inventors
Startups and operating companies
Universities and research institutions
Corporate IP teams
IP holding companies and investment entities
Law firms and other trusted advisors
Brokers
Anyone looking to monetize their IP

Both single-asset and multi-asset submissions are welcome.

What should I submit for an initial review of my IP?

At a minimum, please provide:

Patent numbers (or a list of assets)
Current owner/entity

Additional materials — such as EOUs, claim charts, licensing history, or prior analyses — are optional but may be helpful. It is up to you if you want to submit them.

Do I need to prepare a valuation or infringement analysis?

No.

SIM IP conducts its own independent review. Existing materials can be shared, but they are not required for submission. Really, we just need the patent numbers to begin.

How do I submit my IP assets?

Assets may be submitted by emailing Intake@simip.io.

Submissions enter our internal intake and screening process upon receipt. For efficiency, we recommend sending a concise email with patent numbers listed in the body of the message or attached as a simple Word or Excel document.

Evaluation Process

What happens after submission?

Submissions are reviewed through a staged process that may include:

Technical relevance assessment
Claim scope and durability review
Market and commercial relevance screening
Evaluation of potential investment or monetization pathways

Not all submissions advance beyond initial screening.

How long does the review process take?

Timing varies based on asset complexity, portfolio size, and review volume.

Initial screening typically occurs within a few days — we believe “quick no’s” serve both parties well.

A full review can take up to 45 days, though it may be shorter or occasionally longer.

Will I receive feedback if my assets are not selected?

If we decide not to proceed after initial review, we will send a short email informing you.

Due to review volume and confidentiality considerations, SIM IP may not be able to provide detailed feedback on every submission that does not advance. A decision not to proceed should not be interpreted as a judgment on the overall quality or validity of the assets. Sometimes they are simply not a fit for SIM IP.

What does the Process Look Like – Beginning to End?

I. Submit

You send your IP (typically patent numbers) to Intake@simip.io.

II. Initial Review

We complete our initial review — usually within a few days.

III. LOI

If we remain interested, we may propose a Letter of Intent (LOI) that outlines rough economic terms and typically includes 45–60 days of exclusivity.

Exclusivity is important because diligence is expensive.
If you are just exploring, we will wait until you are ready to move forward.
At this stage, we typically enter into an MNDA.

IV. Detailed Due Diligence

We dig deep with our legal and technical experts.

V. Documentation

If we intend to complete the transaction, we submit drafts of definitive agreements.

This could be a patent purchase agreement, advisory agreement, funding agreement, or other structure.
The agreements are generally standard and commercially reasonable.

VI. Closing

VII. Monetization

While it can take longer, we aim for 45–60 days to reach closing. If you want speed in execution, we believe we are among the fastest in the IP business — and we are constantly working to make the process even faster.

Confidentiality & Ownership

Is my submission treated as confidential?

Yes. Submissions are handled confidentially and used solely for internal evaluation purposes unless further discussions occur.

SIM IP does not typically execute NDAs at the initial intake stage. Patent numbers are not confidential—we are not asking for confidential information. NDAs may be considered if discussions advance beyond preliminary evaluation.

Do I retain ownership of my IP after submission?

Yes. Submission alone does not transfer ownership or grant SIM IP any rights. Any transaction would be governed by a separate written agreement that, if it happens, will happen much later in the process.

Is submitting IP to SIM IP binding?

No. Submission is non-binding for both parties. Any investment, acquisition, or monetization arrangement requires mutual agreement and formal documentation. If you change your mind after submission, just send us another email and ask us to delete your submission and assuming it does not violate any laws, we are happy to delete.

Financings, Advisory Engagement & Investment Structures

What types of transactions does SIM IP pursue?

Depending on the asset and opportunity, SIM IP may pursue:

IP acquisitions
Royalty or revenue-based investments
Structured financing arrangements
Licensing and monetization programs
Other tactical or strategic IP investments

Structures are tailored to the specific asset and market context.

Does SIM IP provide capital or financing or general or monetization advisory services?

SIM IP evaluates opportunities where capital deployment — directly or through structured arrangements — can support IP value creation. Not all engagements involve financing.

Does SIM IP provide general or monetization advisory services?

SIM IP does not provide general IP advisory services. So for example, we do not do legal, valuation, expert or any servicers like this—we do keep a list of firms that do, and we are happy to recommend them.

Occassionally, SIM IP will provide monetization advisory services – typically a scenario where the IP owner retains title to the IP and SIM IP is engaged to manage litigation and lead licensing discussions. We are expensive, but very good at this—the type of questions you should be asking are “Does SIM IP increase the chances we will avoid a zero? Do they make the pie bigger offsetting their high fees?”

General

Is SIM IP a law firm?

No. We are not. But we know a lot of good ones.

Think of SIM IP as a merchant bank for IP — we do one thing and we do it very well: we make money with IP.

Does SIM IP Engage in Litigation?

Enforcement is evaluated as one of several potential value-creation pathways.

We prefer not to litigate. But if we have to, we are very good at it.

Does SIM IP work globally?

Yes. SIM IP evaluates opportunities across multiple jurisdictions, subject to asset quality, enforceability, and market relevance. We work primarily in Europe, US and Asia.

Ongoing Submissions & Updates

Can I submit additional assets or updates later?

Yes. If your portfolio changes — new grants, continuations, or new commercial information — you may submit updated materials or information for consideration.

Getting Started

How do I begin the process?

Submit your IP assets to:

Intake@simip.io

Our team will review your submission and determine whether there is a potential opportunity for further discussion.

Frequently Asked Questions