IP Services

From idea to patent: building a strong and focused IP position

Octrooibureau Custos IPC offers a wide range of IP services for entrepreneurs who want to strategically protect and leverage their innovations. We advise, support and guide you in the field of Intellectual Property. Drafting and filing patent applications is an important part of our services, but our role goes beyond that. We act as an advisor, sounding board and sparring partner for organisations looking to strengthen their innovative power.

IP management as a strategic instrument

Intellectual Property Management (IP management) is a crucial part of well-considered strategic policymaking for innovative organisations. By integrating IP management into your business strategy, you ensure that you make the right choices based on current and changing information. This prevents unnecessary costs and ensures optimal protection of your innovations.

With good IP management:

make informed choices about which rights you request,
prevent your investments in intellectual property rights from being deployed in the end,
Build a future-proof IP strategy that aligns with your business goals.

Custos IPC helps you to clarify these trade-offs and to deploy your IP portfolio effectively and purposefully.

In-house IP management: professional support without high salary costs

Would you like to work structurally towards better IP policy, but lack the budget to hire your own IP manager? Patent office Custos IPC offers a practical and affordable solution for this: the In-house IP Management model. With In-house Intellectual Property Management, one of our IP specialists visits your office on a regular basis. This can be a full day, a few hours per week, or a monthly appointment — precisely tailored to your organisation, wishes and IP needs. During these sessions, we advise on your patent issues, think strategically about your IP policy and actively contribute to building and maintaining your IP portfolio. This regular collaboration creates in-depth knowledge of your company, technology and market. This makes our specialist a true sparring partner who strengthens and accelerates your IP strategy.

Applying for a patent

Applying for a patent might seem straightforward, but in practice, it involves a great deal more. You describe your invention, submit the application, and pay the fees — that's how the process appears at first glance. However, you can only successfully file a patent application once. A small error can have significant consequences: correction is often impossible, and restarting or improving later is simply not an option in many cases. Furthermore, the procedures in many countries are complex, lengthy, and strictly regulated. It's not for nothing that the profession of patent attorney is protected and requires intensive training and in-depth knowledge of both technology and law. Custos IPC guides you through this entire process. Our patent attorneys are fully qualified and possess years of experience with national and international patent procedures. This ensures that your application is carefully drafted and optimally aligns with your invention and future plans.

IP Searches / Investigations

Would you like to know if your idea or invention is eligible for patent protection? Then an exploratory novelty search can provide a lot of clarity. In this search, we investigate whether publications already exist that are similar to your invention. We do this via specialised databases that collect patents, scientific articles, and technical documentation worldwide. A novelty search is not mandatory, but it can yield valuable insights. It helps you better understand how unique your innovation is, which direction is promising for a patent application, and where potential risks or points of attention lie. Our experts also conduct other types of searches, such as infringement searches (freedom to operate), validity searches, and landscaping. Each search provides strategic information in its own way, helping you to make well-informed decisions about the protection and development of your innovation.

Breach advice

Infringement occurs when someone makes, uses, sells, imports, or distributes a patented invention without the patent holder's permission. When accused of patent infringement, much comes your way. In such situations, it's important not to act hastily, but to first fully understand what is specifically being claimed and what legal and technical room exists. Our experts help you assess the claim, analyse the strength of the cited patent, and determine which strategy best suits your position – from defence to negotiation. Even when you yourself suspect that someone else is infringing your patent, a careful approach is essential. We investigate whether infringement has actually occurred, what evidence is needed, and what steps are strategically wise. Our guidance always focuses on finding a solution that aligns with your business interests: limiting risks, seizing opportunities, and avoiding escalation where possible. With our technical expertise and legal experience, you are in a stronger position – whether you are being challenged, or want to challenge someone else for infringement.

Intellectual Spark

True innovation isn't just about ideas, but also about protecting them. Do you want to take your organisation to the next level with groundbreaking and patentable innovations? We help you turn creative concepts into valuable patents that strengthen your competitive position. Together with Reinier Tijssen from Hersenpot, Custos IPC is organising an interactive, creative session where a creative facilitator and a patent specialist will help your team generate innovative ideas. Ideas that are not only brilliant but also patentable.

Innovation box

Take advantage of the innovation box scheme and pay only 9% tax on your innovation profits instead of the regular corporate tax rate of up to 25.8%. This tax incentive scheme does require strategic planning: smaller companies need a WBSO declaration, while larger companies must also have a patent or proprietary software.

At Custos IPC, we combine patent expertise with fiscal knowledge through close collaboration with strategic partners. This allows us to ensure an integrated approach, enabling you to maximise the benefits from the innovation box scheme. Discover how the innovation box can make your R&D investments more tax-efficient.

For whom?

Our IP services are for organisations looking to professionally protect their ideas, technology or products. We always tailor our services to the size, ambitions and needs of your company, as well as the stage you are at.

We work with start-ups, scale-ups, SMEs, and corporates.

Curious how Custos IPC can support your organisation? Feel free to contact with us.

By whom?

At Custos IPC, you work with experienced specialists who know their field inside out. Thanks to the diversity within our co-operative, we have a wide range of expertise in-house, ensuring both substantive quality and continuity are always guaranteed.

Our qualified, self-employed patent attorneys are members of the cooperative and are supported by expert Formalities Officers. They are familiar with every step of patent procedures and ensure that everything proceeds carefully and according to the correct rules.

Our affiliated patent attorneys and IP experts have experience in a wide range of sectors, including: Construction & infrastructure, Chemistry, Creative industries, Energy, High-tech, Agriculture & horticulture, Life sciences, Manufacturing, Medical technology, Offshore, Software & ICT, and the Food industry.

With whom?

Collaboration is at the heart of our organisation. As a cooperative, we understand the value of combining knowledge and expertise. This is why we actively collaborate with strategic (knowledge) partners who, like us, recognise and strengthen the importance of intellectual property. Through these collaborations, we create added value for our clients. Custos IPC is keen to work with partners from various domains:

Business Product development agencies, engineering firms, design agencies, law firms, accounting firms, subsidy consultancy firms, venture capital funds, private equity funds, incubators, and innovation hubs.

Government Regional Development Agencies (ROMs), knowledge institutions and the Rijksdienst voor Ondernemen OCNL (RVO/OCNL).

Education Universities, higher professional education institutions and vocational education.

Together, we will build a strong network where expertise, experience, and entrepreneurship converge — always in service of your IP strategy.