The Patent Filing Quality Conundrum

In the complex world of international patent filing, the term “quality” carries a fundamental ambiguity.

While patent professionals universally emphasize their desire for a quality filing solution in other jurisdictions, this seemingly straightforward requirement actually encompasses two distinct dimensions that are often conflated: workflow quality and deliverable quality.

The Two Sides of Patent Quality

The first dimension – workflow quality – relates to the systems and processes that enable patent professionals to create, instruct and manage their filings efficiently and effectively. A high-quality workflow dramatically reduces the time and effort traditionally spent on repetitive communication. Instead of endless email chains between the filer, foreign agents, and end-clients to gather quotes, clarify requirements, and process paperwork for each jurisdiction, a well-designed platform centralizes and streamlines these interactions. This eliminates the resource-intensive process of managing separate email threads with each foreign agent, collecting and comparing quotes, communicating client requirements, and tracking different documentation standards across regions.

The second dimension – deliverable quality – concerns the actual quality of the final filed patent application and associated documents. This includes the accuracy and clarity of translations, the technical precision of the filing documents, and the likelihood of acceptance by foreign patent offices. This type of quality is about the end product itself rather than the process of getting there.

The Hidden Challenge: Delayed Feedback on Quality

However, this quality dimension often gets overlooked in today’s competitive IP landscape. With firms rushing to meet deadlines and secure business, the focus tends to be on workflow efficiency and speed. Yet, the true measure of quality – the outcome of the filing – is not always immediately apparent. The delayed nature of patent approval processes means that firms often don’t find out if the deliverable quality was truly up to par until much later, which can be too late to course-correct. This gap can result in costly mistakes, client dissatisfaction, and potential reputational damage.

The challenge facing patent professionals is that these two quality dimensions rarely align perfectly in available solutions. Certain filing services, for instance, might focus on providing sophisticated workflow tools that streamline the administrative aspects of foreign filing. Their platforms may offer intuitive interfaces, automated document generation, and real-time status tracking. However, users have limited visibility into or control over the quality of the actual work being performed by overseas agents handling their applications.

Conversely, when firms work directly with trusted foreign associates, they may have high confidence in the quality of the final work product, based on long-standing relationships and proven track records. Yet this approach typically lacks the workflow efficiency of modern filing platforms. Communications are managed through email, documents are tracked manually, and there’s no unified system for monitoring the status of multiple applications across different jurisdictions.

This dichotomy presents a significant challenge for law firms looking for IP management solutions and corporate IP departments that increasingly need to operate as efficient businesses. Both dimensions of quality are essential: a smooth, efficient process is necessary for controlling costs and meeting deadlines, while high-quality execution is crucial for protecting valuable intellectual property rights.

Bridging the Gap: A Smarter Approach to Patent Management

Importantly, a well-designed platform can actually bridge the gap between workflow quality and deliverable quality through enhanced visibility. When users can choose agents and processes based on relevant data, clearly track and verify each step of the filing process, spot potential issues early, and maintain oversight of the work being performed in each jurisdiction, the quality of the workflow directly contributes to the quality of the final deliverable. This transparency allows firms to maintain control and ensure high standards while still benefiting from efficient processes.

The solution to this conundrum thus lies in developing hybrid approaches that combine the best of both worlds. This will involve platforms that provide robust workflow tools while allowing firms to file with vetted, trusted and rated foreign associates. What’s clear is that understanding and explicitly addressing both dimensions of quality is essential for developing truly effective solutions for international patent filing.

Azami’s suite of solutions was developed with a deep understanding of the challenge patent professionals face in balancing workflow efficiency with deliverable quality. Our approach combines a variety of tools designed to address these dual needs across multiple aspects of IP management. Whether it’s streamlining filings, automating renewals, or enhancing global collaboration with iPeer, 

Azami offers real-time visibility, data-driven insights, and control over every step of the process. Unlike conventional services that prioritize one at the expense of the other, our solutions ensure seamless workflows, transparency, and the high-quality outcomes required to protect valuable intellectual property. Through our global network of vetted and rated foreign associates, combined with automated tools and centralized tracking, we enable law firms and corporate IP departments to efficiently manage their portfolios without compromising on precision or reliability.

Discover how Azami can transform your IP management. Speak to us today to learn more