At the 2025 INTA Annual Meeting, we asked IP professionals a question that’s often assumed, but rarely explored directly:
“When you think about quality in the foreign filing process, what does that mean to you?”
From law firm partners to in-house counsel and operations teams, professionals responded, helping us uncover how quality is experienced—and where expectations are shifting.
The results revealed more than preferences. They revealed a mindset.
Key Findings – Top Priorities
Each participant selected their top two priorities from a list of six key quality dimensions. Here’s what they said matters most:
- Translations reflect the intent — The top response, cited by 22.5% of all choices. Accuracy is not enough; the legal and strategic intent must be preserved across jurisdictions.
- Costs & local requirements are clear — Close behind at 21.25%, highlighting that predictability is essential in a global environment.
- Process feels smooth — 18.75% selected this, showing that operational alignment—how well the filing process integrates into internal systems—matters deeply.
- Prosecution is handled reliably — 18.1% pointed to trust in post-filing execution as a defining element of quality.
- Filing makes us look good to our clients — While a smaller group (13.75%) selected this, it underscores that quality is also measured by how firms are perceived by their clients.
- Other — 5.6% wrote in additional responses, often referencing responsiveness, jurisdictional expertise, or platform integration.
Quality Is a System, Not a Checkbox
What’s even more telling than the individual priorities is how they were paired together. Since each respondent selected two items, we were able to observe the most common combinations:
- Translations reflect the intent + Costs & requirements are clear
- Costs & requirements are clear + Prosecution is handled reliably
- Costs & requirements are clear + Process feels smooth
- Translations reflect the intent + Process feels smooth
- Prosecution is handled reliably + Filing makes us look good to our clients
These combinations tell us that professionals don’t define quality through isolated touchpoints. They experience it as a connected process—from quote to grant, from first draft to reputation outcome.
What This Tells Us
Quality starts at the source
Translation accuracy and cost clarity are foundational markers of a high-quality filing experience.
They’re essential for confidence and compliance from the outset.
Execution matters—but so does fit
A smooth, familiar process and reliable post-filing support ranked highly.
Quality is also about how easily global filings integrate into workflows and continue through prosecution.
Reputation is a quality metric
How a firm or company is perceived by clients matters.
Quality is not just technical—it’s relational.
Final Thought
These insights affirm what Azami has always believed when it comes to foreign patent filings and quality outcomes:
Quality isn’t a single trait. It’s a coordinated experience.
One that blends precision, transparency, operational fit, and professional reputation.
We’re grateful to everyone who contributed, and we look forward to building even stronger global IP partnerships grounded in what quality truly means today.
