Intellectual property (IP) assets are worth more than $62 trillion globally and account for 90% of the S&P 500’s total market value. In high-stakes transactions like mergers, acquisitions, or licensing deals, overlooking a patent lapse, hidden licensing obligation, or ownership dispute can put that value at risk.
A well-structured IP due diligence checklist ensures these assets are thoroughly vetted, protecting deal integrity and future revenue potential.
This free whitepaper offers a sample IP due diligence checklist and expert guidance to help you:
- Validate IP ownership and chain of title
- Detect licensing gaps and third‑party obligations
- Protect valuations and avoid post‑deal surprises
What is IP due diligence and why does it matter?
Intellectual property due diligence is the process of auditing a target company’s intangible assets — patents, trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets, and related agreements — before closing a deal.
According to Forbes, thorough Intellectual property due diligence can determine not just the success of a transaction but your company’s future market position.
Its purpose is to:
- Confirm ownership and enforceability of IP rights
- Uncover hidden liabilities like infringement claims or royalty obligations
- Ensure freedom to operate in future markets
- Safeguard valuation assumptions and negotiation leverage
A checklist for IP due diligence transforms a complex review into an actionable framework, reducing the chance of costly oversights and missed red flags.
Why your next deal needs an IP due diligence checklist
Nearly every M&A, licensing, or fundraising deal includes intellectual property. Yet too often, IP assets are overstated, poorly documented, or even entangled in third-party obligations.
Without proper vetting, acquirers risk legal disputes, revenue loss, and diminished deal value.
This IP audit checklist helps you:
- Verify ownership and chain of title across patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets
- Uncover gaps in licensing, inventor assignments, and open-source usage
- Assess enforceability and any restrictions that limit freedom to operate
- Avoid hidden liabilities such as infringement risks or royalty obligations
What’s inside this whitepaper
The whitepaper includes practical tools and expert guidance for navigating the IP due diligence process with clarity.
Inside, you’ll find:
- A ready-to-use IP due diligence checklist example for M&A and licensing deals
- Step-by-step guidance for evaluating patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets
- Key documents to request and questions to ask legal and IP teams
- Tips to uncover hidden risks in contracts, joint ventures, and open-source usage
- Suggestions on how to prioritize and act on findings before deals close
- Insights on using virtual data rooms (VDRs) to streamline IP audits
Who should use this checklist?
This whitepaper is designed for professionals managing IP-heavy transactions, including:
- Legal counsel and corporate attorneys
- IP managers and in-house counsel
- M&A consultants and private equity advisors
- Startup founders and tech CEOs
- Investment analysts conducting due diligence
- Commercial teams negotiating licensing and partnerships.
Download the sample IP due diligence checklist
Whether you’re acquiring, investing, or licensing, this due diligence guide helps you safeguard value and minimize risk from day one.
Download the sample IP due diligence checklist now to safeguard your next transaction.
