Growth through innovation is critical to Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) and the use of patents is necessary to attract needed funding. SMEs’ use of the patent system is not as effective as larger companies. This research inquiry considers product development stakeholder’s knowledge to increase the relevance of patent disclosures for more successful patents and business competitiveness in the future. The research uses a mixed method questionnaire to gain insight from a broad selection of product development experts that include design, marketing, engineering, upper management, entrepreneur, and legal representation. Stakeholder salience concepts are applied to identify stakeholders with forward looking patent attribute awareness. Designers are determined to have strong capabilities regarding adding value to utility patent value.