A history of maximizing the value of IP assets: Dennemeyer & Associates S.A.

Founded by patent attorney John J. Dennemeyer in 1962 as a law firm, Dennemeyer Group today is a leading IP management service provider. The group started out as a patent law firm in Luxembourg and a succession of innovations soon transformed the law firm into one of the world's largest groups of specialized IP service providers, with offices on all continents.

John J. Dennemeyer was a pioneer in combining software and IP payment services, and working as a patent attorney in Luxembourg in 1970’s, he came up with the idea to use computers to manage Trademark renewals. And this was the actual start of computer-based patent annuity management. In the 1980s, many corporations decided to outsource their payments to Dennemeyer, about 6,000 per year. As of 1986, the company offered a first docketing system called PMS. In 1997, Dennemeyer acquired "Hypermark", the precursor of DIAMS classic, a docketing database that enables clients to manage their IP rights themselves. And that was the foundation for one of the most powerful global IP management software solutions.

By setting a service standard in the IP industry and remaining dedicated to discovering and developing improved ways to protect and preserve Intellectual Property rights around the world, the Dennemeyer Group today is one of the most reputed organizations in the IP management space.

Interview Snippet With Managing Director of Dennemeyer & Associates, Dr. Robert Fichter:

Q. What challenges are you facing? What can your peers learn from it?

Traditional trade is shifting increasingly towards e-commerce, and the IP industry is only just beginning to scratch the surface. Digitalization will also have a huge impact on the management of Intellectual Property in the next few years. A company’s market assessment relies on up to 87% on intangible assets such as Intellectual and Industrial Property rights. The relevant authorities across the world, such as patent and trademark offices, are struggling to keep pace with the continued and increased volume of Intellectual Property right requests. Companies, in turn, have to adjust to the ever shorter cycles of innovation and file new patents and trademarks at higher speed and bigger volume. Technologies, such as AI or blockchain complement the traditional protection methods of authorities and businesses.

In the future, innovation will be driven more and more in cooperation with the client. The basis for this is communication and data is the substance for new Intellectual Property.

Q. There are new entrants to the legal marketplace; there are many alternative business structures now that are changing the traditional law firm business models. How do you differentiate your services?

Dennemeyer & Associates is the partner of choice for all legal aspects of IP management. For more than 55 years, we have offered a full range of legal services provided by experienced patent and trademark attorneys and lawyers. We think that IP rights are not just a commodity, but some of the most valuable assets of a company.

Trademarks, patents, designs, utility models, copyrights, domains and unfair competition – our law firm provides a comprehensive set of services in all these areas of Intellectual Property. Moreover, Dennemeyer & Associates can represent its clients in many countries and regions directly through local branch offices, and in the remaining jurisdictions through a network of highly experienced patent and trademark professionals.

Q. Mergers and acquisitions are increasing between law firms, anything with Dennemeyer & Associates?

With IP service providers becoming the target of private equity investors, the IP industry is currently undergoing massive changes worldwide. Mergers and takeovers are fundamentally changing this industry and might lead to increasing price pressure and consolidation. Dennemeyer& Associates continues to stand as an independent, trusted partner to our customers.

Q. What kind of responses have you received from your clients over the years and did it motivate you to shape your offerings and grow the company?

We have clients that have been doing business with us for many years, and the response is positive. We have shaped our company and expanded our offerings according to our clients’ needs. Today Dennemeyer Group is the most comprehensive full-service provider for the global management of IP – and the only one with an integrated IP law firm.

The Future Sight

Over the years, Dennemeyer & Associates has witnessed tremendous success worldwide and the reasons for that have remained the same throughout the years: highly integrated, flexible Intellectual Property services, superior service quality, a high degree of innovation and reasonable costs.

Recently, the company launched its European Patent validation web portal and is planning to release an update of its PCT nationalization portal as well. Also, in January 2018, Dennemeyer & Associates increased its global presence with a new office in Paris.

Looking into the future, Dennemeyer & Associates aim at staying ahead of the curve and is currently working on the most comprehensive and user-friendly digital portal for the management of IP rights. Also, in the digital world, the company’s clients will feel that Dennemeyer is the first choice in IP.

Greet the Chief

Dr. Robert Fichter, Managing Director: Dr. Robert Fichter is responsible for the strategic direction and management of the international branch offices of the IP law firm Dennemeyer & Associates. Further more, as one of the product owners of Dennemeyer’s IP management software and as a patent attorney with both law firm and industry experience, Dr. Fichter forms a bridgehead between IT and IP.

Prior to joining Dennemeyer, Dr. Fichter was a partner at a German patent law firm handling patent, trademark, and design matters for local and international clients, including Fortune 500 companies. This position was preceded by employment as unit head for Intellectual Property software in a Finnish company and as an IP specialist at 3M Espe. Dr. Robert Fichter frequently lectures at universities, law schools and conferences about IP and business strategies and IP-related outsourcing matters.

“We strive to remain a market leader in IP by delivering innovative solutions and setting the industry standard for quality, security, stability and value creation in Intellectual Property services worldwide.”