Journey

Based in Lund, Sweden, the Axis IP team manages the full spectrum of intellectual property—from patent and design applications and trademark registrations to copyright, domain name strategies, and legal disputes.

Innovation is core to Axis's DNA—and it's supported by strategic investment. Around 18% of Axis's annual revenue is reinvested into research and development, resulting in one of Sweden's largest R&D organizations. Nearly 2,000 engineers are based in Sweden, France, the Czech Republic, and China.

At Axis, every project has a meaningful impact—whether it's enhancing safety, improving operational efficiency, or enabling smarter infrastructure. Engineers develop advanced surveillance products and solutions that strengthen safety across sectors like law enforcement, healthcare, transportation, and retail. Axis leads the way in technologies that protect and improve the lives of millions worldwide.

Within this ecosystem, the IP team plays a guiding role. Since registering its first patent in the 1990s, Axis has secured patents for approximately 2,000 inventions globally. Axis is consistently ranked among the top companies in Sweden for patent applications—a clear signal of their commitment to innovation. Over the years, patented innovations have included Zipstream video compression technology, Traffic Light mode for exposure control, and mechanical solutions for ease of installation.

At Axis, the path from idea to granted patent is designed to be as streamlined and straightforward as possible. Engineers start by submitting a simple, one-page invention disclosure—an easy and low-pressure way to contribute ideas without complex paperwork or quotas. From there, patent engineers take the lead. They actively support inventors by handling the complex legal landscape, searching, analysing, describing, and reviewing. Essentially, doing all the behind-the-scenes work so inventors can focus on the fun part—ideation and innovation.

The patent engineers typically handle:

• ・ Evaluating the novelty of the idea through prior art searches
• ・ Collaborating with external patent attorneys
• ・ Guiding inventors through the legal patenting process

Only the most promising disclosures move forward, contributing to Axis's exceptional 95% patent approval rate. Engineers at Axis may submit several ideas per year, and the IP team is there to guide, advise, and support every step of the way. However, only some of those make it to a patent application.

Transforming the one-pager into a high-quality application involves close collaboration. First, the patent engineer meets the inventor to gain a deeper understanding of the invention and assess whether to conduct an initial novelty search. The IP team discusses the invention disclosures before the novelty search begins. The search results provide a clearer idea of what’s patentable and what to focus on. The process is then handed over to the attorney, who drafts the application. The patent engineer and inventor review the draft, and after a couple of iterations, the application is ready for filing.

Both R&D engineers and patent engineers at Axis are constantly learning. For R&D, that means staying on top of the latest tech trends to develop future-ready products. For the IP team, it means quickly understanding complex new technologies—often within days of receiving an invention disclosure. This requires close, ongoing collaboration. Through regular discussions, workshops, and reviews, IP and R&D colleagues exchange knowledge, sharpen ideas, and ensure nothing promising falls through the cracks.

The partnership between the IP and R&D teams is built on mutual respect and shared purpose. Patent engineers act as strategic advisors and sounding boards, helping engineers refine early-stage ideas and understand what makes an invention patentable. This culture of collaboration goes beyond process. It's rooted in the company's broader commitment to learning, sharing, and having fun along the way.

At Axis, innovation is not just about individual success but collective progress. And that's exactly how the IP team operates: helping each other, supporting engineers, and working together to protect what makes Axis unique.

With R&D engineers spread across the world, keeping up with innovation across regions can be challenging. However, the IP team stays proactive, reaching out, checking in, reminding teams how easy it is to submit an idea, and fostering a "patent mindset" across the company. They encourage engineers to submit ideas through various events, including training sessions for new employees on invention and patent opportunities, lectures, workshops, and innovation-focused days. Plus, the annual Inventors' Dinner and Patent Seminar are both great opportunities for inventors to connect with creative colleagues from across the company, get inspired by previous patent successes, and foster collaborations. The IP team also proactively approaches and coaches R&D engineers whom they suspect have lots of ideas but may not have had a chance to focus on submitting them.

All that outreach makes a real difference. It keeps innovation flowing and ensures that great ideas don't get lost or delayed. By making the patent process accessible, collaborative, and enjoyable, the IP team helps unlock the full creative potential of Axis.

(As of July, 2025)