What Germain Maureau does

Germain Maureau is an independent French intellectual property (IP) consulting firm providing protection, defense, and strategic advisory services for patents, trademarks, designs, and domain names. The firm operates across 10 offices in France (Lyon as headquarters, Paris, Marseille, Grenoble, Bordeaux, Rennes, and Saint-Étienne), Switzerland (Geneva, Lausanne), and Germany (Munich), with a private international network of IP professionals covering more than 170 countries. It serves clients ranging from early-stage startups to multinational groups across verticals including aerospace, automotive, luxury goods, cosmetics, health, biotechnology, electronics, artificial intelligence, mechanics, IT, food, and wines and spirits. The firm reports over 120 collaborators including approximately 50 highly qualified experts (Conseil en Propriété Industrielle), and self-identifies as the #1 firm in France by volume of French trademark deposits and a European leader in intellectual property.

The firm's service portfolio is organized into three groups: core IP expertise (patents, trademarks, designs, domain names); cross-disciplinary services (IP valuation, IP audit/due diligence, contract strategy, blockchain timestamping, patent watch, cybersecurity advisory, mediation, wines and spirits specialization, and a startup pack); and training (preparation for the French Qualification Examination, European Qualifying Examination, and CEAB/EPAC at CEIPI). Proprietary technology includes the EpisoftWeb client extranet for portfolio management, a blockchain-based timestamping service for proof of prior use and creation integrity, an interactive European/Unitary Patent Cost Comparator, and a secure online payment platform. The firm maintains direct representation and operational relationships with the principal IP offices — INPI (France), BOIP (Benelux), EPO and EUIPO (European), WIPO (international), and IPI (Switzerland).

Germain Maureau operates as a privately held SAS (Société par Actions Simplifiée) headquartered in Lyon with a share capital of €1,263,230. Revenue is generated through professional service fees structured as fixed fees, hourly rates, or complementary results-based honoraries, with external costs (official taxes, third-party provider fees) billed separately. The go-to-market motion is direct enterprise field sales via the office network, supported by content marketing through a 'Insights IP' LinkedIn newsletter, the firm's website, industry events (ECTA, Sea Tech Week, European Cyber Week), webinars, and academic engagement at ENSTA, Mines Paris, and Strasbourg University. Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed, with multi-year engagements supporting recurring IP portfolio management. Customer acquisition spans both startups (via the Pack Startup offering with potential BPI France and INPI/EUIPO funding eligibility) and large enterprises.

Name

Germain Maureau

Legal name

Cabinet GERMAIN MAUREAU

Website

https://germainmaureau.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1980

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Germain Maureau is an independent French intellectual property consulting firm providing patent, trademark, design, and domain name services across 10 offices in France, Switzerland, and Germany, supported by a 170-country international network serving startups, mid-market firms, and multinational clients.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Intellectual Property Services

akta.pro primary industry

Patent Prosecution & Portfolio Management (BPAHAMAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Trademark Prosecution & Brand Protection (BPAHAMAB), IP Due Diligence & Freedom-to-Operate (FTO) Analysis (BPAHAMAG)

Keywords

• Intellectual property consulting
• Patent filing services
• Trademark registration
• Industrial property advice
• IP portfolio management

Headquarters

HQ city

Grenoble

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices10 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Intellectual Property Consulting Services: Professional services revenue generated through fees for patents, trademarks, designs, domain names, evaluations, audits, contract strategy, patent watch, cyber risks, mediation, and training services. Fees determined by fixed fee, hourly rate, or complementary results-based honoraries.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Germain Maureau is an independent IP consulting firm that advises businesses on protecting and defending intellectual property rights. It files and prosecutes patents, trademarks, designs, and domain names before French, European, and international IP offices, and provides cross-disciplinary IP services including valuation, due-diligence audits, contract strategy, blockchain timestamping, patent watch, cyber risks, mediation, training, and a dedicated startup protection package.

Product overview

Germain Maureau is a leading independent French intellectual property consulting firm offering a comprehensive portfolio of IP services organized into core expertises (patents, trademarks, designs, domain names), cross-disciplinary competencies (IP valuation, due diligence, contract strategy, blockchain timestamping, patent watch, cyber risks, startup package, mediation, wines & spirits, training), and client-facing digital tools. The core offerings are professional consulting services delivered by ~50 expert consultants across 10 offices in France and Switzerland. Supporting these services are proprietary digital tools including EpisoftWeb (client extranet), a European/Unitary Patent Cost Comparator, blockchain timestamping service, and online payment platform. The firm serves clients ranging from startups to large multinationals across diverse sectors including aerospace, automotive, luxury, cosmetics, healthcare, biotechnology, electronics, AI, and food & beverages.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Brevets (Patents) Patent filing and prosecution services for protecting technological innovations, including European patents, international PCT applications, and unitary patents, providing a 20-year exploitation monopoly. For inventors, R&D teams, and corporate IP departments.
• Marques (Trademarks) Trademark registration and management services covering French, European (EUIPO), and international filings, with strategic brand management and anti-counterfeiting support. For brand owners and marketing teams.
• Dessins et Modèles (Designs) Industrial design registration services covering the visual appearance of products including shapes, contours, decorative patterns, icons, and graphic interfaces. For product designers and manufacturers.
• Noms de domaine (Domain Names) Domain name registration, strategy, and dispute resolution services including UDRP proceedings before WIPO for recovering domain names from cybersquatters. For brand owners and digital asset managers.
• Evaluation (IP Valuation) Intellectual property valuation services for assessing the financial value of patents, trademarks, and other intangible assets. For CFOs, investors, and M&A teams.
• Audit Propriété Intellectuelle (IP Due Diligence) Comprehensive IP audits for investors, M&A transactions, and fundraising processes to evaluate intellectual property portfolios and risks. For investors, entrepreneurs, and corporate development teams.
• Stratégie contractuelle (Contract Strategy) Contract drafting and negotiation services for IP-related agreements including licensing, technology transfer, and co-development arrangements. For legal teams and business development managers.
• Horodatage Blockchain (Blockchain Timestamping) Blockchain-based timestamping service that protects creations by proving prior use and integrity of works in case of litigation, accessible via blockchain.germainmaureau.com. For creators, inventors, and IP owners.
• Veille Brevets (Patent Watch) Patent monitoring and surveillance services to track competitor filings and technological developments in specific technical fields. For R&D and competitive intelligence teams.
• Cyber Risques (Cyber Risks) Cybersecurity advisory services addressing intellectual property risks in digital environments. For CISOs, IT risk managers, and corporate security teams.
• Pack Startup Bundled IP protection package designed for startups to secure intangible assets while focusing on core business activities, with potential BPI France and INPI/EUIPO funding eligibility. For startup founders and early-stage ventures.
• Médiation (Mediation) Mediation services for resolving IP disputes, including domain name conflicts and commercial disagreements, with mediators registered at the Paris Court of Appeal. For parties to IP disputes.
• Vins et spiritueux (Wines and Spirits) Specialized IP services for the wine and spirits industry including designations of origin, geographical indications, and brand protection. For wineries, spirits producers, and beverage brands.
• Formation (Training) Professional training programs including preparation for the French Qualification Examination (EQF), European Qualifying Examination, and European Patent Administration Certificate (CEAB/EPAC) at CEIPI. For IP professionals and trainees pursuing IP qualifications.
• EpisoftWeb Secure client extranet enabling clients to consult their files, access correspondence, and manage their intellectual property portfolio online. For Germain Maureau's IP service clients.
• Comparateur de coûts Brevet européen / Brevet unitaire Interactive cost comparison tool enabling clients to compare European patent and unitary patent expenses and optimize their patent filing strategy across contracting states. For patent applicants and IP managers.
• E-Paiement (Online Payment) Secure online payment platform for paying deposits and invoices via credit card. For Germain Maureau's clients.

Named customers3 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Live for GoodminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2026Germain Maureau animated a webinar for entrepreneurs supported by Live for Good, a French association supporting young entrepreneurs under 30 developing social or environmental impact projects.
• CEIPI (Centre d'Etudes Internationales de la Propriété Industrielle)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2026Matthieu Objois, Partner at Germain Maureau, serves as tutor for CEIPI training on the European Patent Administration Certification (CEAB/EPAC) issued by the EPO. The firm actively participates in knowledge sharing and education in industrial property.
• WIPO (World Intellectual Property Organization)coreTechnology or Integration · 1 April 2025William Lobelson, WIPO arbitrator since 2002, represents Germain Maureau at WIPO celebrations. Firm handles domain name dispute resolution through WIPO arbitration procedures.
• EPO (European Patent Office)coreTechnology or IntegrationDirect collaboration with European Patent Office for patent filings and procedures. Firm participates in EPO training and certification programs.
• EUIPO (European Union Intellectual Property Office)coreTechnology or IntegrationDirect collaboration with EUIPO for European trademark and design filings.
• INPI (Institut National de la Propriété Industrielle)coreTechnology or IntegrationDirect collaboration with French National Institute of Industrial Property for national filings and procedures.
• IPI (Institut Fédéral de la Propriété Intellectuelle, Switzerland)coreTechnology or IntegrationDirect collaboration with Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property for Swiss filings, facilitated by Geneva and Lausanne offices established since 1980.
• BOIP (Benelux Office for Intellectual Property)coreTechnology or IntegrationDirect collaboration with Benelux Office for Intellectual Property for Benelux region filings.
• Pôle Mer Bretagne AtlantiqueminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with maritime innovation cluster. Firm participates in Ocean BtoB events and workshops on IP strategy for maritime sector.
• ENSTA BretagneminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGermain Maureau Rennes office provides IP introductory lectures to engineering students at ENSTA Bretagne annually.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Plasseraud IP: Plasseraud IP is one of the largest independent French IP consulting firms, offering patent prosecution, trademarks, designs and IP litigation with offices across France. It competes head-to-head with Germain Maureau for the same Conseil en Propriété Industrielle mandates and major French corporate clients.
• Regimbeau: Regimbeau is a long-established French IP firm combining patent and trademark attorneys with IP lawyers, serving similar client profiles (startups to CAC 40/SBFs) across patents, trademarks, designs, and IP litigation. Direct competitor to Germain Maureau in the French CPI market.
• INLEX IP Expertise: INLEX IP Expertise is a French IP consultancy offering patent and trademark prosecution, IP strategy, and contract services, headquartered in Paris with a comparable mid-sized expert bench. Competes with Germain Maureau for French and international IP prosecution mandates.
• Lavoix: Lavoix is a Paris-headquartered European IP firm combining patent attorneys, trademark attorneys, and IP lawyers, with offices in several European countries. Direct peer to Germain Maureau in pan-European patent and trademark prosecution.
• Marks & Clerk: Marks & Clerk is one of the largest IP-only firms globally, with extensive European coverage including France, offering patent and trademark prosecution and IP strategy. Competes with Germain Maureau especially for French and pan-European patent mandates of multinational clients.
• Mewburn Ellis: Mewburn Ellis is a UK-headquartered European IP firm with a strong patent prosecution bench serving multinational corporates and SMEs. Comparable to Germain Maureau in business model (IP-only, partner-led, sector-specialized) and pan-European client base.
• HGF Limited: HGF is a top-5 European IP firm with offices across the UK, Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland, Ireland and France, offering patent and trademark prosecution and IP litigation. Overlaps directly with Germain Maureau's German and Swiss offices for European patent mandates.
• Hoffmann Eitle: Hoffmann Eitle is one of Europe's largest IP-specialist firms, headquartered in Munich with deep expertise in patent prosecution and opposition work before the EPO. Directly comparable to Germain Maureau for German/European patent mandates from engineering-heavy clients.
• Novagraaf: Novagraaf is a European IP service group (part of the IPH Limited network) offering patent, trademark, and design services across multiple European jurisdictions. Competes with Germain Maureau for cross-border IP portfolio work, particularly for Benelux, French, and Swiss filings.

Broad incumbents

• Bird & Bird (IP practice): Bird & Bird is a large international law firm with a market-leading IP practice covering patents, trademarks, designs and IP litigation across Europe and Asia. It competes with Germain Maureau particularly on IP mandates tied to broader corporate, technology, and communications engagements.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/germainmaureau
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/germainmaureau

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles15 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Germain Maureau