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[IHC]

Hello Everyone,

   I recently received a new job as a patent agent for a corporation. In the past, the corporation sends all of its work outside to law firms. However, they would like to start to bring some prosecution work in-house. The job description has not really been established. Further, the corporation is not sure what they’re goals are with having someone in-house and do not have any resources in-house. The first thing that I would like to do for them is establish a docketing software. Currently, what are good docketing softwares that are used by in-house councils? I have researched what law firms currently use, however majority of the application/software integrate some sort of billing, which is not necessary.

Please provide which software you are using and positive and negative factors associated with that software? Also, please provide me with some suggestions as to communicate with the current law firm that the corporation is using. The company's goals is not to remove all the prosecution work from the law firm; but to have someone oversee all the work and make sure it’s done with the proper intention. Your suggestions and comments are really appreciated.

Thank you.

[JimYoung]

I am a patent attorney and I developed the Intellectual Property / Case Tracking System.  You can find more information on it at www.FlexTrac.com.  Through the web site you can request a free demo system that is a fully funcitonal system (it just has a time limit), so you can try it yourself to see if it suits your needs.

[Retarius]

I am a patent agent who serves as the in-house patent counsel for a small-medium sized company. I would VERY highly recommend Flextrac. Many, many self-employed patent agents attorneys I know use it, and there is nothing in its price range. It isn't fancy or even beautiful, but it does the job. Has the important features you need. Not great for multi-user or distributed gobal systems, but unbeatable for the 1-person patent/trademark business.

Retarius

[patentsusa]

I use Flextrac too.  It is fine and a great value. 

A lot of people also like Foundation IP (now part of CPA Global).  The advantage of Foundation IP is that it is web-based and you can give different people different access.   You could have a law firm enter data for you, for example, for only the cases they are handling.  You can also set up automated email reports.  They also keep track of changes in law in a large number of countries and it is useful for someone who has more than just mostly U.S. cases.  The downside of Foundation IP is the price.

[klaviernista]

A lot of people also like Foundation IP (now part of CPA Global). 

I think Foundation IP has a great feature set.  But it is too expensive IMO.  Pricing is based on the number of matters tracked, and starts at ~$300/mo for 100 matters (based on a quote I received a few months ago).  My company has only five application families, and we are already close to the 100 matter mark.

 -Klav

[moonman]

I think Foundation IP has a great feature set.  But it is too expensive IMO.  Pricing is based on the number of matters tracked, and starts at ~$300/mo for 100 matters (based on a quote I received a few months ago).  My company has only five application families, and we are already close to the 100 matter mark.

 -Klav

Expensive? R u serious?

$300 is 2 hours of firm billing time for an admin. Any docketing software is going to save much more than that, whether it be firm hours or in-house hours.

[klaviernista]

I am in house counsel for an engineering/tech company that is funded entirely by venture capital and government grants.  So yes, I consider a $3600/yr subscription for software that basically tracks dates expensive.  My feelings might be different if I were running my own IP shop, charging $300/hour, and tracking hundreds of cases for multiple clients.