The fast-changing world of intellectual property

P&TS was established in 1998 in Neuchâtel and has come a long way since then.

Why P&TS was created

The 1990s turned out to be an exciting decade – it was when the telecoms monopoly ended, and it became possible to patent software. In the space of just a few years, the world of intellectual property was transformed as innovation turned into a key success factor and patents became an important marketing tool. Globalisation and the end of national borders further highlighted the need for companies to protect their ideas through legal means. The time was therefore ripe for an innovation-focused consulting firm. We also brought with us a fresh, agile and versatile approach – traits that are appreciated by R&D engineers in dynamic small businesses and multinationals.

The start-up market

In 2004, we decided to go after the start-up market. This was risky because of the complex technologies associated with start-ups and, frankly, the lack of funds. However it is where our services are needed. Then the country’s specialised schools and Federal Institutes of Technology were instructed to focus on technology transfer. So our strategy paid off: our company emerged as a key partner in this market as well. We are proud of the role we play in the region’s economic growth.

At the forefront of innovation

P&TS is an intellectual property consulting firm with offices in Neuchâtel, Zurich and Clermont-Ferrand. Founder and CEO Christophe Saam explains what sets P&TS apart from the rest.

What has made us so successful ?

Innovation is in our DNA. Most of our employees have both a technical and legal background, so we speak the same language as our clients regardless of their industry – IT, watchmaking, machine tools, microengineering or chemicals. They appreciate the fact that we fully understand their needs. We do not just protect our clients’ inventions – we work with our clients to build a global intellectual property strategy around their patents, designs and trademarks in order to maximise their return on investment.

Leading the market

P&TS quickly emerged as a market leader, meeting the needs of companies of all sizes from start-ups to large corporations both in Switzerland and abroad. We grew very quickly: by 2014, we were the largest patent consulting firm in Switzerland and one of the most dynamic in the world, according to Managing IP rankings. Our efforts were further recognised when we were among the finalists for the Prix SVC Suisse Romande in 2014 and named Swiss Patent Law Firm of the Year in 2015. This clearly demonstrates the high quality of the work we do for both our Swiss and European clientele.

Protecting your innovations through comprehensive intellectual property services

P&TS is an intellectual property consulting firm. We provide both Swiss and international clients with a comprehensive range of services in the following areas:

• patents
• design
• trademarks
• protection for semiconductors
• software protection
• patent searches and technology intelligence
• IP due diligence
• IP-related agreements

A wide range of IP-focused talents

We stand out from the crowd thanks to our management approach and values.

Our management principles

Our employees are our capital – our competitiveness depends on them. We have a very international team bringing together a number of rare skill sets. These are people who need to be able to grow and develop. And we try to meet their needs, offering things like part-time contracts – even for managers – the option of working from home and training opportunities. Why? Because a stable workforce is crucial for us and brings major added value for our clients. Patent filing takes years, and it is important that our clients work with the same person throughout the process.

Our broader values

We are passionate about innovation – not only because it is our core business but because we believe it can change the world. We are also a socially responsible company with a well-developed environmental conscience. We encourage gender equality, and in fact half of our staff are women. We are taking steps to reduce our carbon footprint. As a services-sector company, of course, our impact in this regard is limited. However there is one way we can make a big difference, and that is through our clients’ inventions, particularly in the area of green technologies. We support numerous greentech projects and provide grants to small Swiss companies to help them protect their intellectual property.