Kermi GmbH is a German enterprise specializing in heating technology and shower solutions with a substantial IP portfolio that includes over 500 intellectual property renewals. 

Johanna Winter-Robl, Kermi’s Head of IP, recently shared her experience of switching to PatentRenewal.com, highlighting the platform’s key role in simplifying and optimizing their operations.

The challenge

For years, the company relied on patent attorneys to handle the renewals. While the attorneys were dependable, this setup presented three critical issues:

  1. High costs: Patent attorneys charge substantial fees for their services, adding a significant financial burden to Kermi's operational expenses. 
  2. Lack of transparency: Invoices from patent attorneys were often provided as single lump-sum figures, covering a combination of official fees and attorney charges.
  1. Limited portfolio oversight: Without a centralized platform or tracking system, monitoring the status of IP renewals was unmanageable.
“We had no overview. It would have been very useful to have one, but it was not available in the old setup.”‍


These challenges made it difficult for Kermi to manage their IP portfolio efficiently, leading to the search for a more transparent and cost-effective solution.

“We had issues as we could not see what we were paying for. You have the attorney fee and the official fee, but it is one sum. You don’t really know what it entails and what you are paying for.“

Why PatentRenewal.com

The need for clearer financial control and significant cost savings drove Kermi’s decision to seek an alternative. After evaluating several providers, they chose PatentRenewal.com, which offered a cost-effective solution with estimated annual savings of around €10,000.

While exploring options, Kermi was particularly impressed by the proactive and supportive approach of PatentRenewal.com.

“I checked other players too, but the offerings of PatentRenewal.com stood out. The cost savings were absolutely substantial. Also, their team’s helpful and hands-on approach really shaped our decision.”

The solution

Since transitioning to PatentRenewal.com, Kermi has seen a significant improvement in how they handle their IP portfolio, thanks to:

  • An efficient onboarding process
  • Responsive customer support
  • The platform’s simplicity

The onboarding process stood out as a key highlight. Johanna praised the transition, noting how quickly they adapted to a centralized and transparent system.

“The onboarding process was incredibly smooth, we uploaded our entire portfolio in just a few days with hardly any effort.”‍


Another standout feature was the responsive customer support. Any concerns were addressed immediately, ensuring smooth operations and giving Kermi the confidence they needed to manage their portfolio effectively.

“It’s easy to communicate, if I have a problem, I get an answer immediately. It’s reassuring to know someone is always ready to help.”


This level of responsiveness gave her confidence in the service and ensured that any concerns were resolved quickly and effectively.

Kermi particularly appreciated how easy the system was to understand and use. The platform has introduced transparency and automation that reduced complexities and cut costs, turning a traditionally burdensome process into a seamless operation.

"The platform impressed me, it’s easy-to-use and straightforward. I can see the price and what the cost will be next time. It provides complete transparency by showing all cost categories related to renewal."

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Given these advantages, Johanna rated PatentRenewal.com a perfect 10 out of 10, highlighting that the combination of cost savings, transparency, and user-friendliness made it an excellent choice for modernizing their IP processes.

"Overall, it’s streamlined, transparent, and reliable, making the entire process of managing our intellectual property far simpler and more efficient. It has truly been a super solution for our needs. If somebody asks me, yes, of course, I would recommend PatentRenewal.com."

Conclusion

By providing a reliable, efficient, and user-friendly solution, PatentRenewal.com has become an essential partner for Kermi.

For businesses looking to simplify and optimize their intellectual property renewals, PatentRenewal.com offers an unmatched combination of cost savings, transparency, and ease of use. 

Contact us today for a free price comparison, or book a meeting with one of our experts to learn more about our solution and how we could help you and your clients optimize IP renewal processes.