Technology manufacturers who have been following industry headlines in recent months may be getting the impression that it's only a matter of time before one of their old patents or newest inventions becomes the target of an intellectual property dispute. Although infringement filings are on the rise, there are a number of preventative steps companies can take to reduce the odds of receiving an unwelcome subpoena.

Citing data from IP researchers at ChipWorks, PatentlyO's Dennis Crouch noted that patent lawsuits are being filed more now than ever before - with a notable uptick following the depth of the financial crisis in 2009. The flurry of patent litigation has been especially pronounced in the software industry and other high-tech domains.

According to CipherLaw Group attorney James Denaro, this makes it all the more important for companies in dynamic, innovative spaces to prepare ahead of time for the specter of litigation.

"For companies that are innovating in information security, they can use the patent process to their advantage in a lot of cases," Denaro explained in a recent interview with BankInfoSecurity.

By bringing inventions into the patent system early on, Denaro suggested, companies can secure lucrative licensing deals and build a stronger defense platform to deter broad infringement claims. The key to making IP portfolios work in their favor, according to the attorney, is diligently monitoring the patent landscape in their area and keeping abreast of all relevant regulatory changes.