FlowIP is an information service designed to help intellectual property firms discover and evaluate potential overseas partners. Developed by Patenty Inc., the platform leverages filing records from Korea, the United States, Europe, Japan and China to provide a comprehensive view of a candidate firm’s activity and connections. For firms looking to expand their international network, FlowIP offers a structured approach to partner discovery that reduces the guesswork traditionally involved in cross-border collaboration.
Users can search for candidates in a target market, compare their filing volumes and client relationships, and review supporting case records—all within a single interface. The service is particularly valuable for small to midsize IP firms that may lack dedicated international business development teams. By centralizing data that was previously scattered across multiple databases and jurisdictions, FlowIP saves time and helps firms make more informed decisions about potential partnerships.
What is FlowIP?
FlowIP is a web-based information service that aggregates patent and trademark filing data from five major jurisdictions: Korea, the United States, Europe, Japan, and China. It connects representative information from applications that belong to the same patent or trademark family across these jurisdictions, giving users a cross-border view of a candidate firm’s activity. The platform is built around the concept of partner discovery, allowing users to identify, compare, and evaluate overseas firms based on concrete filing evidence.
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The service includes a feature called Find Partners, where users select a target market, identify candidate firms, and compare their activity and relationships. Users can inspect supporting filing records for each candidate, including the number of filings, related clients, and case histories. For patents, FlowIP also provides prosecution and procedural histories, showing events chronologically and allowing users to compare observed intervals for candidates within the same jurisdiction. This includes metrics such as the time from an examination request to the first notice, from filing to a decision to grant, and from a notice to a subsequent response. These insights help firms assess a candidate’s efficiency and responsiveness.
What stands out
Global coverage
FlowIP covers five key jurisdictions that represent the majority of international patent and trademark activity. This breadth allows firms to explore partners in multiple markets without switching between different databases or data sources. The inclusion of both patent and trademark data is a significant advantage, as many IP firms handle both types of intellectual property.
Comparison tools
The ability to compare candidates side by side based on filing activity, client relationships, and case records is a standout feature. Users can see at a glance how firms stack up against each other in a target market, which streamlines the shortlisting process. Saved candidates and review decisions retain the original search conditions, making it easy to revisit and update evaluations over time.
Case records and histories
For patents, FlowIP provides detailed prosecution and procedural histories for cases connected to candidate firms. This goes beyond simple filing counts, offering a timeline of events that can reveal patterns in how a firm handles applications. Comparing intervals like response times can give valuable insight into a partner’s operational style.
Free trial access
New users can explore the public firm directory and profiles before signing up. A 14-day free evaluation is available without requiring a credit card, and it does not auto-convert to a paid plan. This low-risk entry point allows firms to test the service with real data before committing.
Who it’s for
FlowIP is designed for partners, patent attorneys, and international filing teams at small to midsize IP firms. These firms often need to establish or expand overseas relationships but may lack the resources to conduct extensive due diligence through traditional methods. The service is also useful for firms that already have overseas partners and want to review their current relationships against market alternatives. Larger firms with dedicated international teams may also find value in the centralized data and comparison features.
Because the platform focuses on filing records and case histories, it is most relevant for firms that handle patents and trademarks regularly. Attorneys who need to recommend a partner in a foreign jurisdiction will appreciate the ability to back up their choices with concrete data. The service can also be used to prepare for meetings with potential partners, as users can develop a shortlist and formulate questions based on actual filing activity and procedural timelines.
What makes it worth considering
FlowIP addresses a real pain point for IP firms: the difficulty of finding reliable overseas partners without extensive personal networks or expensive third-party research. By aggregating publicly available filing data and presenting it in an organized, comparable format, the service reduces the time and effort required to identify suitable candidates. The inclusion of case records and procedural histories adds a layer of depth that is often missing from simple directory listings.
Another strong point is the focus on usability. The interface is designed to guide users through the discovery process step by step, from selecting a market to inspecting individual case records. The ability to save candidates and search conditions means that evaluations can be revisited and updated as new data becomes available. The free trial period allows firms to assess the service’s relevance to their specific needs without financial commitment.
While FlowIP is still a relatively new service, its foundation in actual filing data gives it credibility. The platform’s development by a team that includes a patent attorney suggests that the features are grounded in real-world workflow needs. As the service matures and potentially adds more jurisdictions or data types, it could become an indispensable tool for international IP practice.
Verdict
FlowIP is a well-conceived tool for IP firms seeking overseas partners. Its global data coverage, comparison features, and access to case records make it a valuable asset for due diligence. The free trial and intuitive interface lower the barrier to entry, while the depth of information supports informed decision-making. For any firm that regularly needs to evaluate international patent or trademark partners, FlowIP is worth serious consideration.
Frequently asked questions
FlowIP is an information service that helps intellectual property firms find and compare potential overseas partners using patent and trademark filing records from Korea, the United States, Europe, Japan and China.
The service is designed for partners, patent attorneys, and international filing teams at small to midsize IP firms.
Yes, FlowIP includes both patent and trademark filing data, allowing users to explore partner candidates across different IP types.
Yes, visitors can sign up for a 14-day limited evaluation without providing a credit card. The trial does not auto-convert to a paid subscription.
FlowIP currently aggregates data from Korea, the United States, Europe, Japan, and China.
Yes, the service allows users to save candidates and review decisions, retaining search conditions and periods for follow-up work.
By comparing case records and procedural histories, users can develop a shortlist of candidates and prepare specific questions based on actual filing activity and relationships.
