The difficult economy has more companies trying to turn their patents into profit. But it's a business model 14-year-old Digimarc Corp. (NASDAQ:DMRC) was built on, and that has served it well. With no debt, $45 million in cash and a 1,000-plus patent portfolio — about 400 of which are pending — the Beaverton, Ore. technology company is in a strong position to acquire, partner and license its way into new markets.
Digimarc's watermarking technology allows media and entertainment companies, advertisers, and other clients to track and monitor digital content as it travels to computers, mobile phones and other devices — and to then customize the experience for users.