IP software and intensity of use

Some firms think that licensing IP software means they have the software and innovation boxes ticked. Not so. What matters is how much the software is used, by how many, and how fully. If the answer is 'not much', it's the wrong solution. With the right one there's plenty of scope to do things more easily, efficiently, and better for clients. 

The term 'IP software' covers a wide range of tools and capabilities. Some older systems are stand alone clunky docketing databases. Others run only automated clearance searches. And others, unlike these point solutions, are platforms with a depth and breadth of capabilities.

Old clunky docketing databases are a single point solution for tracking deadlines of registered marks and designs. So are often only used by one or two formalities administrators. The intensity of use of this IP software is low when considered against a whole IP team with lawyers and attorneys, as well as clients, associates, and other IP team members.

The author William Gibson observed that the future is here, it's just not evenly distributed yet. At LawPanel we see this often, not just in some firms showing themselves to be forward thinking so as to improve what the client experiences. But also there are firms who only act once they have lost clients and business to other firms. 

Distribution of the future is one thing, intensity of its use is another. Point solutions for specific tasks have limited functionality and cover a narrow objective. IP platform solutions in contrast can cover the whole lifecycle, with tools to support all parts of the lifecycle, for use not just by all members of the IP team, but their clients and associate firms in other jurisdictions. Greatly increasing the value that can be derived.

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