As with most disciplines, the more people understand the system the more effective they can be in increasing productivity and achieving objectives.

Generally, it is recommended that all employees have at least some basic knowledge of intellectual property issues to fully understand the need for confidentiality. Those employees with a likelihood of creating inventions and interacting with the system should learn at least the basics of the patent system, relevant corporate procedures, and a useful inventing techniques. For example, I usually recommend that all inventors understand the following:

How to identify a patentable idea or invention: Most people have a variety of misconceptions about the patent system that can easily lead to overlooked inventions and lost opportunities.

How to champion an inventive idea: Often, those people who understand the system best are those that get the most patents. Others who are unfamiliar with the system may simply choose not to pursue their ideas.

Basic terms and procedures: The overall goal is to work more effectively and more effeciently with the legal staff and minimize miscommunication and wasted effort.

How to search for prior art: The patent literature is a rich source of information that can be used for problem solving, learning about your competition, and improving your own inventions. The majority of this information is available for free and it's only a few mouse clicks away.

How to read a patent to improve future developments: Understanding what has been done before is often key to improving developments today. The better an inventor understands existing patents, the more effective they will be in developing new patentable ideas.

The basics of patent strategy: While getting patent for a new product is a very important step, much of the value can only be establihed by understanding how this piece of intellectual property fits into the overall competitive landscape.