In this difficult economic environment, companies are looking even more closely at their product lines and BUs. Unprofitable BU's or non-core product lines are being aggressively wound down, and the associated IP (now stranded) is increasingly being looked at in efforts to extract any remaining value.

The IP monetization market is evolving rapidly. With the entrance of new defensive aggregator models and NPEs into the market, operating companies are receiving an increasing number of unsolicited inquiries into their portfolios.

Not only are companies engaged in trying to sell or license their inventions, but they are also being approached by third party entities interested in buying specific patents. But what should a company do with an unsolicited offer for a few of its patents - particularly when the company does not know the value of those assets?