Patent vs Trademark Management: Closing the Gap

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Patents and trademarks are distinct types of IP rights. However, there are several crossovers in the systems, processes, and services that IP professionals use to manage and maintain them. In this short guide to patent vs trademark topics, we discuss the difference between patent and trademark management, the approaches and tools that could help you align patent and trademark processes, and how Questel can provide support.

Both patents and trademarks play a crucial role for businesses and innovators seeking to build a robust market presence for their products and services. However, responsibility for patent and trademark protection, management, and maintenance sits within different departments in many companies and law firms.

This traditional patent vs trademark disconnect can lead to stakeholders working in silos with little strategic interaction and knowledge-sharing. Fortunately, integrated software, processes, and services are now helping to close this knowledge gap, improving communication, collaboration, and portfolio alignment.

Four Ways to Address the Patent vs Trademark Disconnect

Here we share four ways to overcome the patent vs trademark disconnect, from the IP management tools you use to your approach to supplier management.

1. Centralize your IP assets into a single IP management system

Despite the difference between patent and trademark rights, centralizing patent and trademark data in a single platform offers numerous benefits to law firms and corporate IP departments, from improving portfolio oversight to streamlining cost and invoice management. By creating a single repository for all IP information, you can gain a complete picture of the IP protecting each product or service, from the patents and trade secrets protecting each innovation to the trademarks, designs, and copyrights protecting its branding and look and feel—and the cost of maintaining each type of IP right.

However, not every IP management system (IPMS) was created to improve alignment between patent and trademark portfolios. Many IPMS tools were developed for patents or trademarks only, with functionality to manage the additional IP rights added later. We’re proud that our Equinox IP management software was designed from inception to handle all types of IP rights, as we believe this approach helps bridge the gap in patent vs trademark management, ensuring a cohesive and efficient process for all users.

—> Discover how to choose the right IP management system for your needs

2. Consolidate your IP firms

Patent and trademark departments, including those within law firms, often have their own budgets and local law firm suppliers. Consolidating these suppliers can lead to significant cost savings and administrative efficiencies, irrespective of your organization type or portfolio size.

By aligning and consolidating suppliers across your patent and trademark teams, you can streamline processes and reduce overhead, enhancing overall IP management while maintaining your preferred processes, including any internal difference between patent and trademark strategies, budgets, and teams.

Questel’s cost management services provide the toolkit you need to get started. We routinely undertake audits, negotiate costs, benchmark and forecast budgets, and ensure compliance with fee schedules, and that’s not all. Our IP cost management systems and highly experienced team save corporate clients on average 20-30%!

Find Out More About Our Cost Management Service

Discover how Questel’s IP cost and invoice management solution enabled one client to save €500,000 in foreign patent filing and prosecution costs.

Find out more about our cost management service by reading the full testimonial or contact us to find out how much you could save.

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3. Integrate IP services and software

Consolidating your IP service providers can also bring tangible rewards, especially as many IP specialists focus only on specific, high-value, routine tasks (such as patent renewals), with little support for lower-value, but equally administrative and time-consuming tasks.

In comparison, Questel provides a comprehensive and integrated suite of patent and trademark services and technologies designed to support clients throughout the entire lifecycle of their IP rights.

Importantly, all our offerings are integrated or connected via our Equinox IP management software, IP Services Portal, and API Gateway, so you can order, manage, and track all your IP projects through your preferred IP management tool.

By consolidating your patent and trademark services with one end-to-end IP supplier, you can benefit from a seamless and efficient IP management experience, delivered by a single trusted point of contact.

4. Don’t overlook your designs, domains, and other forms of IP rights

IP professionals, law firms, and corporate IP departments traditionally divide themselves on patent vs trademark lines, meaning there is a risk that other forms of IP could be overlooked or given secondary importance.

Questel’s integrated tools and services are designed to cover a wide range of associated IP rights, from designs and domain names to trade secrets and copyright and innovation management. We support our clients to manage all aspects of their IP portfolio effectively, addressing the patent vs trademark disconnect by enabling a more holistic approach to IP portfolio management.

—> Explore our complete range of IP services and software

Are You Ready to Cross the Patent and Trademark Divide?

Even if organizations prefer to keep their patent and trademark matters separate, there are clear benefits to sharing software, services, and suppliers across both departments. Despite the difference between patent and trademark practices, professionals, and departments, a consolidated approach reduces the IP tech stack that needs to be maintained, streamlines supplier management tasks such as procurement, invoices, and correspondence, and helps improve and align IP processes and workflows.

At Questel, we specialize in helping our clients navigate the complex world of IP management. As discussed in this short guide to patent vs trademark best practices, our comprehensive solutions are designed to enhance your IP management strategies and ensure the protection and optimization of your IP portfolio.

Get started on your journey to a more unified approach to IP management by contacting our Subject Matter Experts today.