Article One Partners Diverse Community -- Retirees and Stay-at-Home Moms to Sports Enthusiasts and Students -- Earn $60,000+ Annually on Crowdsourced Research Platform

NEW YORK, NY--(Marketwire - Aug 16, 2012) -  Article One Partners (AOP), the world's largest patent research community, today announced that the company has hit a major research milestone, it has issued more than 550 research studies from a broad range of industries: automotive, consumer, medical device, personal fitness and technology. AOP's more than 23,000 registered researchers from 151 countries -- university students, sports enthusiasts, stay-at-home moms and retirees to professors, practicing attorneys and paralegals -- uncover research to discredit or legitimate patent litigation claims.

AOP Community researchers earn financial rewards upwards of $60,000 annually. Research incentives and rewards average $3,500 to $10,000 plus per pay-out, unlike other crowdsourcing platforms that pay nominally. In comparison to the average American worker, according to the National Average Wage Index in 2010 annual income was $41,673.83. According to a USA Today article by Paul Davidson, 2011 wages ranged from 49,434 to $41,413. Unlike traditional 9-to-5 jobs, AOP research community earns more plus benefit from incredible work-life balance and flexibility.

"We witness patent litigation in all kinds of industries and we welcome researchers from across all walks of life," said Cheryl Milone, CEO of Article One Partners. "If you are eager, self-motivated and smart, you qualify as an AOP community research member. The one requirement we ask is an interest in uncovering research that supports the findings of prior art."

AOP researchers are financially rewarded for submitting high-quality findings that lead to either substantiating or discrediting patent claims. To date, community members have earned more than $2.8 million in rewards, some with annual salaries of $60,000 and more.

Researchers can get their feet wet with a variety of research topics and open studies such as Spa Jet Barrel technology, handheld personal assistant devices, hybrid vehicles, and portable umbrellas with attached canopies. AOP wants to invite a vast array of researchers, who specialize in all types of fields, to apply to be a part of their growing international community. To apply, visit our open research studies here.

Since AOP's establishment in 2008, researchers have helped solve studies such as the technology behind lithium ion batteries in power tools, modernized high tech thermostats, touch screen keyboard technology, and online fantasy sports.

"I like that it is a high-return investment of my time, a few hours of research can potentially turn into thousands of dollars," said Minerva Rivero, AOP research community member. "It's also very satisfying because what AOP is doing is transcendental, particularly in this patent reform climate. AOP is a growing and productive community where interesting ideas are constantly flourishing."

Today's enterprises operate in a challenging intellectual property (IP) environment. Companies across the spectrum, from software firms to manufacturers of grilling tools, now have to carefully strategize to prevent and manage patent litigation threats.

"The AOP community is helping revolutionize the patent system," said Milone. "Guided by a spirit of trust and knowledge as well as a willingness to learn, our community is strengthening the IP knowledge base every single day. As researchers accomplish their work, the benefits radiate outwards. IP decision makers are empowered to more effectively handle litigation, and the patent system itself gets filled with actionable information. Our research community is empowering today's innovators and tomorrow's business enterprise."

Recent AOP patent studies have covered the tracking of athletic performance, a wound dressing, lithium batteries, 3-D technology and much more. For more information on active Patent Studies and to learn how to participate in AOP's research, go to http://www.articleonepartners.com.

About Article One Partners
Article One Partners (AOP) has revolutionized the transparency of patent data. Today, AOP is the world's largest patent research community. The company has distributed requests for prior art research to more than one million scientists and technologists using a global online human search engine. AOP is active in 151 countries, presents search requests in 10 languages and is exceptionally successful in identifying key foreign language evidence, non- textual and non-patent literature. The company is a partner to 16 Fortune 100 companies, 50 Forbes Global 2000 and 7 of the top 10 US patent filers. AOP's client satisfaction rate exceeds 90%.

AOP has a distinguished Board, led by Marshall Phelps, the former head of patents and licensing at IBM and Microsoft. Founded in 2008 by patent community leader, inventor and entrepreneur, CEO Cheryl Milone, the company's product offerings have been called "revolutionary" and "game changing" by leading authorities. In short, many consider AOP to be the new industry standard.