Questel acquires AI patent drafting company
IP software company acquires a tech firm specialising in AI-driven solutions for quick patent drafting | Collaboration aims to integrate generative AI into tools for IP professionals.
Questel has acquired a tech company that helps IP professionals draft patents using AI.
The acquisition of qatent, announced March 8, 2024, aims to use AI tools and services to improve global IP portfolio management, fits a Questel plan to “push AI-driven solutions within the IP industry”, the company said.
Qatent, originating from the AI research centre INRIA Paris, was founded by a French IP attorney and a German AI researcher Université Paris-Saclay.
Commenting on the acquisition, Charles Besson, CEO at Questel, said: "The significance of AI in our field necessitates an internalised approach which partnerships simply cannot offer.
“In addition to immediately impacting patent drafting and searching, AI will directly benefit several of our other products such as Equinox, our highly successful IPMS solution,” he added.
Echoing Besson, François Veltz, CEO at qatent, explained qatent prioritises IP practitioners in its strategy, with the aim of improving their abilities with the help of “machine capabilities”.
The “richness” and “structure” of Questel’s patent, trademark, and design database was considered an “incredible learning ground” for Qantent’s algorithms, added Kim Gerdes, CTO at qatent.
Founded in 1978, Questel was formerly a France Télécom subsidiary before separating in 2001 and focussing on IP.
In the last five years, Questel has increased its employee count from 250 to 1500 and its subsidiaries now include Equinox, Markify, DoeLegal, Brandstock, and Yoomap.
Headquartered in Paris, the IT service management company has offices in North America, Japan, China, Germany, India, Korea, Taiwan, and Singapore.
