Gathering scale in patent outsourcing services

The maturing of the outsourcing industry in India has led to a diversification of IP functions outsourced to the country, particularly with respect to patents. Service providers have adopted different engagement models to suit specific needs keeping in view the larger goals of companies towards IP creation and maintenance. High levels of efficiency, accuracy and confidentiality govern the retention of high-skill functions in-house, as any inconsistency in quality may be inchoate to the exercise of prosecuting a patent.

Attention to low-end services

To consolidate their positions during the recession, Indian vendors began strengthening low-end, high-volume services. Providing more value and client-specific models gave way to synergistic associations and innovation in the way already existing services were provided. Companies were also looking for vendors with domain-specific skills and expertise, infrastructural stability, process harmonization, proven experience, operational readiness and cultural compatibility with regard to confidentiality, when sending work offshore.

Vendors are making good use of the propensity towards low-end, high-volume functions to build larger scale operations. The reason for this is that apart from being scalable; these services do not usually require multiple iterations with the client or the inventor, thus making them more manageable at remote locations. Further, they entail fewer risks because the information and documents dealt with are available in the public domain. Some of these services are validity searches, patent illustrations, patent proofreading, paralegal functions, missing part preparations, IDS preparations and client-specific customized services.

Dr Sushil Kumar is the vice-president at Clairvolex Knowledge Processes, a Delhi-based legal outsourcing firm.