4 Weakest Links In Your Trademark Renewal Service (And How To Fix It)

In the multifaceted trademark world, you may think your trademark renewal vendor meets your needs and has a robust plan, but is this true? What are the (unidentified) weak links in your trademark vendor's service?

Imagine your renewal service as a blank page in your IP coloring book; how you examine it will fill the colors in and build a vibrant trademark operation.

Here are four of the most common weak links in renewal services- and how to fix it.

1: You are contracting for more services than you need

Each company and trademark team has different needs, but renewal services are one-size-fits-all. The typical service is a single model that bases the price on the number of trademark records. If you need less services then offered, the price ussually stays the same. Maybe some minor modifications.

The result is that you leave money on the table by purchasing services not needed.

Fix: Askyour vendor what options they have to reduce the level of services they offer (if any) and understand the impact on price. Then, create a list of your internal processes and map this to the (reduced) services offered.

This one-to-one process map helps to clearly identify required areas of support and a better understanding of what you may not need. Then, you may have an opportunity to drop unneeded service options.

This is a basic, yet essential, step to start coloring in your trademark renewal page.

By way of example, Dennemeyer's Standard Renewal plan is very cost-efficient. It comes with a standard set of processes and procedures. There is flexibility, but with the flexibility comes additional cost. The mapping process helps determine what additional functions are needed, if any.

Many may find that they can adjust their internal processes to make the Standard offering work and deliver significant cost savings in the process.

2: 'Low-cost' but obscure services provided

You are ecstatic to sign on for an incredibly low renewal rate and expect significant savings. However, somehow, the savings never seem to materialize. Sounds familiar? The renewal vendor may offer a fantastic per record rate and obscure other charges.

This causes frustration and anxiety as you fail to deliver the cost savings expected.

Fix: Look beyond the "per record fee". Request and examine a full list of potential "other fees" and carefully compare this to your list of exceptions and common situations.

For example, do you often require an assignment change at the time of renewal? Does the...