FAQs

ui accordion buttonui accordion buttonui accordion buttonui accordion buttonABOUT IPZEN

Q: Who built the IPzen platform? 

A: The IPzen technology was built by lawyers who have over 20 years of experience in the software development industry.  We have ensured that the technical and security aspects of the platform answer the concerns which the legal profession may have when considering a switch to a cloud-based system. IPzen was developed in 2008 and first went into production in 2009.

Q: Where are your offices located?

A: We are located in both central London and Paris

Q: Which languages are available for the platform? 

A:  The platform is available in English and French.

Q: What is the technology behind IPzen? 

A: IPzen is based on open source technology along with MYSQL database, PHP and JavaScript.

Q: What are the benefits of switching to IPzen? 

A: IPzen is a holistic intellectual property management solution. The IPzen platform has been built by lawyers, for lawyers.  We have listened and understood the key requirements of IP professionals. IPzen’s unique interface is streamlined and easy to use, making it one of the most user-friendly platforms available. You can share the system with your clients while controlling their access – this will make your day-to-day workload easier to manage.

Q: What are the benefits of a cloud-based system? 

A: IPzen is an integrated platform which gives lawyers access to all its features from anywhere in the world. The cloud provides a higher level of protection for confidential data than any law firm is capable of providing. Read more about cloud-based system benefits here.

Q: If my computer software is upgraded, will this affect the operation of the IPzen platform? 

A: IPzen will adapt automatically to your operating system and any subsequent updates.

Q: Can I integrate my e-mail program into the IPzen dashboard? 

A: Yes! IPzen can be linked to your e-mail program, provided you use an IMAP server.

Q: Is IPzen only for large companies?

A: IPzen is suitable for independent, small, medium and large companies. As a cloud-based system, IPzen is particularly accessible for independents and smaller companies. It also proves to be an affordable option as there are no upfront licensing fees, server costs or installation fees.

Q: How can I set up a free online demonstration of the IPzen platform? 

A: Request your free online demonstration of the IPzen platform today by e-mailing our team.

Q: How much does the IPzen platform cost?

A: IPzen is a cost-effective solution for any business. To receive a customised quotation within 24 hours, contact our team or check our price list.

Q: Why is IPzen better than other systems? 

A: – It is easy to get started with IPzen, with only a short learning curve. IPzen includes all the essential features needed to run your business smoothly and very straight forward and user friendly.

– Providing storage space in the cloud for each client ensures data security and safety.

– It provides a unique way of sharing information among teams; we offer the option to control the accessibility of each user.

– Our integrated invoicing module allows companies to dramatically reduce time spent invoicing, leaving more time to focus on casework.

Q: Does it work better for centralised or de-centralised departments? Centralised = when a firm only works at 1 place vs De-Centralised = when a firm has multiple antennas

A: Since IPzen is a web based solution, it will allow you to  work the way you want with your coworkers. However, it can depend on how many users plan to operate the system in your company. You don’t need any specific program to go on IPzen – IPzen is available anywhere, anytime.

Q: If I end my collaboration with IPzen, how can I transfer all the data collected by the platform? 

A: We can export concerning Trademarks, Agenda and Directory (contacts) modules to Excel. For the files, we can give you a copy or export it to a specific format. In case of a “personalized” export, there is a possibility that you will be charged because it will require an intervention from the development team.

ui accordion buttonui accordion buttonui accordion buttonui accordion buttonTRADEMARK

Q: How Can Trademark Portfolios be Managed Effectively?

A: An effective trademark portfolio management strategy should include the filing of applications, consistent monitoring of your portfolios monitoring, renewals, enforcement and licensing.

Q: What Are the Benefits of Using Trademarks Management Software?

A: Trademark management software can help firms manage their portfolios more efficiently and effectively, as it provides a centralized platform for tracking and monitoring all trademark-related activities. Additionally, it helps with trademark searches, filing of applications, monitoring, renewals, enforcement, and licensing.

Q: What Are the Challenges Faced by Law Firms When Managing Trademarks?

A: The biggest challenge faced by law firms, when managing trademarks, is staying on top of all deadlines, paperwork, and filings associated with trademark portfolios. Utilizing trademark management software streamlines the process, ensuring that all requirements are being met in a timely manner whilst simultaneously dealing with larger challenges of constant globalization and competitive markets.

Q: How Can Lawyers and Attorneys Specializing in Intellectual Property and Trademark Law Succeed?

A4: Lawyers and attorneys specializing in intellectual property and trademark law can succeed by keeping up to date on the latest developments in the field whilst staying on top of deadlines and taking advantage of trademark management software to streamline their portfolios, all with a meticulous attention to detail.

Q: What Steps Should Be Taken to Ensure Brand Protection?

A: To ensure brand protection, companies should consider registering their trademarks, then use trademark management software to track and monitor their portfolios whilst engaging in comprehensive searches to determine if any similar marks exist. Additionally, companies should consider engaging in opposition proceedings, if necessary, and monitoring their brands to ensure that no infringements occur.

Q: What Are the Benefits of Branding for Companies?

A: Branding can provide numerous benefits for companies; these include helping them stand out from competition, creating an identity for their products and services, and increasing their visibility in the marketplace. Moreover, it builds customer loyalty and trust, creating a competitive advantage of credibility.

Q: What Are the Best Practices for TM Management?

A: The best practices for trademark management can be seen in many facets. These include conducting comprehensive searches to ensure that no similar marks exist, filing applications punctually, monitoring trademarks and engaging in opposition proceedings, and keeping track of deadlines and renewals. Utilizing trademark management software consolidates the process to ensure that all the necessary tasks have been taken care of. Additionally, it is importance to define your goals and set priorities in order to classify business alignment.

Q: What Are the Benefits of Trademark Registration?

A: There are many benefits of trademark registration such as providing protection for the trademark owner and creating a legal presumption of ownership and validity. Additionally, it makes it easier to enforce trademark rights. trademark registration provides the owner with the exclusive right to use the mark in connection with the goods and services listed in the registration.

Q: What Strategies Can Be Used for Effective Trademark Enforcement?

A: Engaging in opposition proceedings, monitoring for infringements, and taking legal action when necessary are all key examples of effective trademark enforcement Utilizing trademark management software can help to consolidate your enforcement status and ensure that all the necessary steps are being taken.

Q: Can IPzen do trademark renewals?

A: Yes, this is an added service. IPzen is a case management system and a trademark portfolio management system

Q: Does the system automatically calculate Trademark renewal dates? 

A: Yes, the system automatically calculates next priorities, renewals and affidavits dates.

Q: Does IPzen download data from a trademark office?

A: Not yet, you need to fill in the information into the system by yourself.

Q: Can I import my trademark portfolio?

A: If the data is structured, you can import it in the Trademark Module (import trademark). If not, this is an added service that the IPzen team can offer.

Q: Can I see all trademark law by country?

A: Yes, they can be seen in the Trademark module > law

Q: Does IPzen search information from the trademark office?

A: Ipzen researches on the trademark that you have docketed. This is a trademark portfolio management system

Q: What Is the Best Way to Monitor Trademarks?

A: The best way to monitor trademarks is to utilize trademark management software, which can help track and monitor all trademark-related activities in a centralized platform. Additionally, companies should conduct comprehensive searches to determine if any similar marks exist, monitor for infringements, and engage in opposition proceedings if necessary.

Q: What Is the Process of Trademark Assignment?

A17: The process of trademark assignment involves transferring the trademark rights from one party to another. This process requires that both parties sign a written agreement, ensuring that the assignment is recorded with the appropriate trademark office.

Q: What Are the Benefits of Opposition Proceedings?

A: The benefits of opposition proceedings include providing the trademark holder with the opportunity to challenge a trademark application, preventing the registration of a similar mark, and protecting the rights of the trademark holder.

Q: What Are the Challenges of Managing a Trademark Portfolio?

A: The biggest challenge of managing a trademark portfolio is staying on top of all the deadlines, paperwork, and filings associated with trademark portfolios. By profiting from the use of trademark management software  one can streamline the process and enable all requirements are being met in a timely manner.

Q: What Steps Should Companies Take to Protect Their Trademarks?

A: When companies are protecting their trademarks, they should register their trademarks whilst simultaneously using trademark management software to track and monitor their portfolios; engaging in comprehensive searches to determine if any similar marks exist. Finally, companies should consider engaging in opposition proceedings if necessary and monitoring their brands to ensure that no infringements occur.

Q: What Are the Benefits of Trademark Management Software?

A: Trademark management software has many benefits: providing a centralized platform for tracking and monitoring all trademark-related activities and ensuring ideal communication and centralized flow. f. It can also help with trademark searches, filing of applications, monitoring, renewals, enforcement, and licensing.

Q: If we have the TM application that should claim the Priority rights from the previous filing, should we assume that the initial mark details need to be entered into the system also?

A: When you claim the priority of your trademark over another trademark, the initial trademark first needs to be entered into the platform. Following the process of Creating a national trademark (6-step process), there will be a step where you can mark whether priority is claimed. Once created, the trademark will be linked to the trademark of priority. Within the trademark sheet, you will see an information panel called “Priorities, Seniorities, Origins” and the link to the priority trademark will appear there.

Q: Do I have to calculate my own renewal dates?

A: The system does it automatically, with up-to-date legislation from all over the world.

Q: How do you update legislation?

A: We work closely with a network of agents across the world. We receive notifications and our team of legal expert analysts checks their accuracy before updating the system. [To get there, tab: Trademark, tab: Legislation]

Q: Is it possible to integrate national trademark databases to IPzen?

A: Not unless you manually add all the trademarks in your own database. Our software is not a national trademark database.

Q: Can I manage international trademark?

A: Yes, you will have one file for the international trademark and as many trademark sheets as many country you will designate

ui accordion buttonui accordion buttonui accordion buttonui accordion buttonINVOICING

Q: What features does IPzen’s integrated invoicing module offer?

A: IPzen’s seamless, integrated invoicing solution is not only for generating invoices. Our invoicing module is able to automate billing processes and consolidate diverse information from across your team. Our invoicing solution will save you time by consolidating multiple case files into single invoices, generating invoices based on all actions within a case file and by allowing you to create different billing profiles for each client. Track your payments in real time with a colour-coded payments tracker and generate reports with one click. The flexibility and ease of the invoicing module will help you and your team, as well as your accounting department.

Q: Is IPzen’s invoicing solution available as a stand-alone module?

A: Yes! Please get in touch with our team for more information about subscribing to a single module.

Q: I use a separate program for invoicing. Will this impact my switching to IPzen?

A: Absolutely not. However, we recommend using IPzen’s integrated invoicing module so you and your colleagues can generate and send invoices in pdf. format directly from your case files. Time spent, hourly rates and disbursements can be customised by you when setting up the IPzen platform. Save time and money by using a single and fully integrated IP management solution.

Q: Is a White Label service offered by IPzen and if so what is the cost?

A: Customers of the IPzen Professional package are offered a White Label service for a flat fee.

Q: Is IPzen’s invoicing solution available as a stand-alone module?

A: Yes! Please get in touch with our team for more information on subscribing to single modules.

Q: Can you schedule the sending of an invoice?

A: No, not automatically but it is possible to put a deadline to this kind of action.

Q: Can IPzen help send an invoice?

A: IPzen helps you to manage all your invoicing process to follow up your budget. Ipzen do not pay an invoice.

Q: Can I customize an invoice?

A: Yes, there is a template where you can modify the name, language, etc but not the logo

Q: Can we track the payment?

A: Yes, on the invoicing module with the payment icon.

Q: I use a separate program for invoicing. Will this impact my switching to IPzen?

A: Absolutely not. However, we recommend using IPzen’s integrated invoicing module in order for you and/or your colleagues (including support staff where necessary) to generate and send invoices in .pdf form directly from your case files. Hours worked, hourly rates and disbursements can all be customized and predefined by you when setting up your IPzen platform. Save time and money by using a single and fully integrated IP management solution.

Q: Is it possible to add a logo to our invoice?

A: It is not possible due to the conversion between the web language and PDF files. However, you can still order letterheads for your invoices in order to have them customised.

Q: What features does IPzen’s integrated invoicing module offer?

A: IPzen’s invoicing solution is a seamlessly integrated module, designed for more than generating invoices. Our invoicing module has the ability to automate billing processes and consolidate diverse information across the board. Our invoicing solution will save you time each month by combining multiple case files into a single invoice, generating invoices based on all actions within a case file whilst also allowing you to create different billing profiles for each client where necessary. Track your payments in real time via our colour-coded payment tracker, then generate reports with a click of a button. The flexibility and ease of use of the invoicing module will be appreciated not only by you and/or your team, but by your support and accounting staff as well.

ui accordion buttonui accordion buttonui accordion buttonui accordion buttonCLOUD SECURITY

Q: Is the IPzen platform secure? 

A: Yes – each customer is provided with a private SSL certificate. Powerful technology ensures secure communication and information sharing across private and public internet connections and Wi-Fi networks.

Q: Who owns the data on the IPzen platform? 

A: Clients always remain the owners of the data they have entered on the system. Customer data is stored on a dedicated virtual server that is never mixed with other IPzen customers.

Q: Why should I store data in the cloud? 

A: The cloud provides a higher level of protection for confidential data than any law firm is able to provide.

Q: How is my data stored? 

A: All data is saved in a dedicated virtual server in a private cloud whilst the cloud is monitored 24/7.

Q: Is the IPzen platform encrypted? 

A: IPzen offers an optional encryption service. Contact our team for further information.

Q: How often do back-ups take place? 

A:  The system is backed up every 15 minutes, 24/7.

Q: How many data centres does IPzen have? 

A: IPzen has one data centre and an additional back up data centre in a separate location.

ui accordion buttonui accordion buttonui accordion buttonui accordion buttonIPZEN MODULES

Q: Is the case management system only intended for intellectual property lawyers?

A: No: IPzen’s case management system is for any type of organisation, both corporate and law firms.

Q: I work with a small portfolio of trademarks and/or domain names. Is the IPzen platform suitable for me ?

A: Yes! IPzen is suitable for portfolios and firms of all sizes, including independent. Depending on the size of your portfolio, our team will recommend either the IPzen Essential package or the IPzen Professional package.

Q: If I already have a case management system, can I migrate across to IPzen?

A: Yes! IPzen offers a data migration service. Data migration can take anywhere between two to six weeks. The cost of the service and length of time for the transfer depends on how you store your data in your current system and the size of your portfolio.

Q: What features does IPzen’s integrated invoicing module offer?

A: IPzen’s seamless, integrated invoicing solution is not only for generating invoices. Our invoicing module is able to automate billing processes and consolidate diverse information from across your team. Our invoicing solution will save you time by consolidating multiple case files into single invoices, generating invoices based on all actions within a case file and by allowing you to create different billing profiles for each client. Track your payments in real time with a colour-coded payments tracker and generate reports with one click. The flexibility and ease of the invoicing module will help you and your team, as well as your accounting department.

Q: Is IPzen’s invoicing solution available as a stand-alone module?

A: Yes! Please get in touch with our team for more information about subscribing to a single module.

Q: I use a separate programme for invoicing. Will this impact my switching to IPzen?

A: Absolutely not. However, we recommend using IPzen’s integrated invoicing module so you and your colleagues can generate and send invoices in pdf directly from your case files. Time spent, hourly rates and disbursements can be customised by you when setting up the IPzen platform. Save time and money by using a single and fully integrated IP management solution.

Q: Is a White Label service offered by IPzen and if so what is the cost?

A: Customers of the IPzen Professional package are offered a White Label service free of charge.

Q: Do you offer a patent portfolio management module?

A: IPzen does not currently offer a specific module for patent portfolio management. Click here to discover our range of products and services.

Q: How will IPzen enhance the management of my domain name portfolio?

A: As well as being a management tool, IPzen’s Domain Name Portfolio module includes a domain name search feature, available directly within the IPzen platform. This module allows you to search and check availability, track deadlines, set up zones and domain name redirections, all under a single tab!

ui accordion buttonui accordion buttonui accordion buttonui accordion buttonWATCH

Q: What kind of watch services does IPzen offer?

A: IPzen provides a wide variety of watch services. These include trademark and domain name watch services, non-Latin character domain name watches, social media network watches, Google AdWords watch services and Mobile App store watch services.

Q: How will I be able to view the results of my subscribed watch services? 

A: The watch tab appears directly in your IPzen platform. By subscribing to our optional IPzen Watch Service Plus+, our team will analyse and filtering your watch service results based on criteria predefined by you,  then have it sent directly to you.

Q: Can I subscribe to IPzen watch services only? 

A: Yes! Get in touch with our team and we can assist you in deciding on the best solution for your business.

Q: Can I use IPzen’s watch srvices to look for specific availability research?

A: Yes, however it is an annual subscription and therefore the cost will be higher. In theory – it is possible. However in practice – it’s useless and way too expensive.