1 – Clarivate (CompuMark)
Founders: Corporate evolution from Thomson Reuters IP & Science assets (CompuMark lineage).
Founded: Clarivate formed 2016 (CompuMark/Derwent lineage much older).
Headquarters: London / Philadelphia (global).
Product categories: Trademark search & clearance (CompuMark), trademark watching, brand protection analytics, domain & anti-abuse tools.
Description:
Clarivate’s trademark family (CompuMark and related assets) represents the enterprise standard for comprehensive trademark data, watch services and clearance workflows. Large brand owners and law firms use Clarivate for executive-grade clearance reports, global watch scopes and workflow integrations into enterprise IP management. For boards and in-house teams that require audit-quality research and global coverage, Clarivate’s scale – historic registry coverage plus professional analyst review – is often decisive.
Key features:
- Market-leading trademark database & examiner-grade search.
- Global watch (watchlists across jurisdictions).
- Custom clearance reporting and opinion packages.
- Integration with IP lifecycle tools and case management.
- Analyst review + automated screening to reduce false positives.
2 – Corsearch (including Incopro assets)
Founders: Longstanding brand-data business (rebranded/expanded; Incopro acquired 2021).
Founded: Corsearch modern form c.2012 (historic roots earlier).
Headquarters: Global (offices in UK, US, China).
Product categories: Trademark clearance, global watching, online brand protection, anti-counterfeiting, content-takedown services.
Description:
Corsearch positions itself as an end-to-end brand protection and trademark intelligence provider: clearance, watch, rights enforcement and online takedowns. The 2021 Incopro integration added social/e-commerce brand-abuse capabilities and human-led investigations to Corsearch’s analytics. In practice Corsearch is a go-to for multi-jurisdictional watch programs, marketplace enforcement and digital-first brands that need a hybrid (AI + human analyst) enforcement model.
Key features:
- Hybrid AI + human analysis for online abuse.
- Global trademark watch & clearance.
- Marketplace & social-media takedowns.
- Enforcement workflows and evidence bundles for counsel.
- API access for integrations and SIEM-style feeds.
3 – Questel
Founders: Launched as a France Télécom/Orange IP division; spun out as Questel.
Founded: 1978 (as IP services unit).
Headquarters: Paris, France (global offices).
Product categories: Trademark search & watch, brand monitoring, IP management software, domain infringement monitoring.
Description:
Questel is an integrated IP platform that serves both patents and trademarks; its trademark suite blends advanced searching, global watching and bespoke analytics for competitive brand monitoring. Questel’s strength is research-centric workflows: legal teams and brand owners use Questel for rapid clearance, global trademark landscape work and to tie trademark signals into broader IP strategy. Questel is a practical mid-market to enterprise option with strong European coverage.
Key features:
- Enterprise search and watch for trademarks.
- Integration with IP lifecycle & docketing.
- Market/competitive landscaping for brands.
- Localized data for EU and APAC jurisdictions.
- Professional services for bespoke project work.
4 – Dennemeyer
Founders: John J. Dennemeyer (origin).
Founded: 1962 (Luxembourg origins).
Headquarters: Luxembourg / global network.
Product categories: Trademark prosecution support, global renewals/annuity administration, portfolio audits, trademark operations outsourcing.
Description:
Dennemeyer is a long-established full-service IP operations firm that combines prosecution/renewal execution with consulting services that optimize cost and process. For trademark teams that need a single provider to run filing, renewal, opposition monitoring and regular portfolio audits, Dennemeyer offers a consolidated operational model – lowering vendor friction and centralizing global admin while delivering advisory input on pruning and cost optimization.
Key features:
- Global annuity/renewals administration.
- Trademark filing & prosecution support in many jurisdictions.
- Portfolio audits and cost benchmarking.
- IP operations outsourcing & centralized invoicing.
- Local counsel networks for oppositions and enforcement.
5 – RWS (formerly part of SDL / IP translation leaders)
Founders: Corporate evolution from translation services; RWS formed historically.
Founded: 1958 (company origins).
Headquarters: UK (Chalfont St Peter / London).
Product categories: Trademark filing support, high-quality trademark translations/localization, search & prior-art support, prosecution logistics.
Description:
RWS is widely used where translation quality is mission-critical – life sciences, chemical and engineering trademarks where claim meaning can change outcomes. Beyond translations, RWS supports filing and national-phase services and provides search/clearing services tied to linguistic expertise. If your brand enters new language markets, RWS reduces prosecution risk by ensuring marks and descriptions survive local IP office scrutiny.
Key features:
- Specialist trademark translation & localization.
- Country-specific filing support and national phase workflows.
- Technical linguists for regulated industries.
- Integration with prosecution & docketing workflows.
- Quality control workflows for high-stakes filings.
6 – TrademarkNow
Founders: Mikael Kolehmainen (founder) and early team.
Founded: c.2012.
Headquarters: Helsinki (origin) / global presence.
Product categories: AI-powered trademark search & clearance, similarity scoring, watch services, brand clearance automation.
Description:
TrademarkNow took a product-first approach – fast, web-scale clearance and similarity scoring powered by machine learning. The platform is designed for trademark teams that want realtime screening, rapid preliminary clearance and automated similarity reports. It’s especially popular with in-house counsel and brand teams that run high-velocity naming programs and want cheaper, rapid clearance before detailed legal opinions.
Key features:
- Instant AI-driven similarity & clearance scoring.
- Unlimited-use subscription models for high-volume teams.
- Clean UX tailored to non-lawyer brand teams.
- Watch services and automated alerts.
- API & bulk screening for product naming pipelines.
7 – MarkMonitor (now part of domain specialists)
Founders: Faisal Shah, Ed Priddy, James Hepworth.
Founded: 1999.
Headquarters: Boise, ID, USA (corporate transitions/ownership changes).
Product categories: Domain & digital brand protection, trademark monitoring, anti-counterfeiting, online marketplace enforcement.
Description:
MarkMonitor is known for enterprise domain portfolio management, brand abuse monitoring and marketplace enforcement. Historically popular with Fortune 500 companies, MarkMonitor combines domain registry expertise with active fraud and listing removal workflows. After recent ownership changes it sits in the domain/brand-management cluster; for firms that view the domain system as part of trademark risk, MarkMonitor remains a strategic option.
Key features:
- Corporate domain portfolio management & registrar services.
- Marketplace monitoring & takedown pipelines.
- Brand abuse analytics and report generation.
- Enterprise SLAs and security-first operation.
- Integration with legal teams for evidence packages.
8 – Markify
Founders: Benoit Fallenius, Clas Person and others.
Founded: 2010 (launched Dec 2010).
Headquarters: Stockholm, Sweden.
Product categories: Trademark search & watch, image similarity search, domain watch, API data services.
Description:
Markify is a search & watch specialist known for a strong similarity algorithm and cost-effective watch services. Legal teams and boutique firms choose Markify for precise similarity scoring, affordable unlimited watches, and specialist pharmaceutical search packages. For mid-market teams that want an accurate, no-nonsense clearance workflow without Big-vendor lock-in, Markify balances accuracy and price.
Key features:
- High-precision similarity algorithms for word & device marks.
- Cost-competitive unlimited watch options.
- Image/device search and pharma-focused datasets.
- API and raw data access for internal tooling.
- Quick turn clearance reports for naming sprints.
9 – Red Points
Founders: Josep Coll, David Casellas (and co-founders).
Founded: 2011.
Headquarters: Barcelona, Spain (global clients).
Product categories: AI-driven brand protection, online marketplace takedowns, anti-counterfeit detection, automated enforcement.
Description:
Red Points uses AI to detect and remove counterfeit, pirated and infringing listings across marketplaces, websites and social channels. Their automated takedown workflows and marketplace integrations are suited to e-commerce-heavy brands that need continuous catalog monitoring and removal at scale. Red Points is commonly used by retail and consumer brands with high exposure to online counterfeiting.
Key features:
- Automated detection of counterfeit listings & impersonations.
- Marketplace integrations & managed takedowns.
- Image recognition + text similarity engines.
- Scalable SaaS + managed service models.
- Reporting dashboards for loss/exposure metrics.
10 – BrandShield
Founders: Yoav Keren, Yuval Zantkeren and team.
Founded: c.2010–2013 (early 2010s).
Headquarters: Israel / New York presence.
Product categories: Digital risk protection, trademark monitoring, phishing & impersonation takedowns, domain-watching.
Description:
BrandShield focuses on digital risk protection across the open web – counterfeit sites, phishing pages, impersonations and social-media abuse. It’s used by enterprises that combine security & IP functions (brand + cybersecurity teams) to detect fraudulent domains, protect customers and automate takedowns. The vendor’s strength is cross-channel monitoring and reputation-oriented reporting.
Key features:
- Domain & phishing detection with takedowns.
- Social and deep/dark web monitoring for impersonations.
- Executive & brand reputation dashboards.
- Integrations with SOC/IR workflows.
- Hybrid automation + analyst review.
11 – Com Laude
Founders: Nick Wood & Lorna Gradden (founders/leadership).
Founded: 2004.
Headquarters: London, UK.
Product categories: Domain name management, corporate registrar services, digital brand protection, gTLD consultancy.
Description:
Com Laude is a specialist domain management and digital brand consultancy – focused on registrar services, domain portfolio strategy and secure domain operations for large brands. With recent strategic growth and acquisitions, Com Laude is a prime pick for organizations that treat domain governance as a core part of trademark protection (e.g., corporate registrars, new gTLD strategy, domain acquisitions).
Key features:
- ICANN-grade registrar services & portfolio migration.
- Domain acquisition, recovery and monitoring.
- gTLD strategy & registry negotiations.
- Security (DNS, SSL) and domain lifecycle management.
- Consulting for executive-level domain programs.
12 – CSC Digital Brand Services (CSC)
Founders: Corporation Service Company origins (founded 1899); digital brand services built via acquisitions.
Founded: CSC 1899 (digital brand services consolidated 2010s).
Headquarters: Wilmington, DE, USA (global).
Product categories: Domain & brand protection, trademark watching, anti-phishing, online enforcement, registrar services.
Description:
CSC’s digital brand division grew via acquisitions (NetNames, IP Mirror) into a full enterprise service for domain & brand protection. CSC is used by enterprise legal/security teams for large-scale domain portfolios, anti-phishing programs, brand monitoring and registrar services with a security-focused delivery model. If your company needs audited, SLA-driven domain & trademark protection across many regions, CSC is a proven option.
Key features:
- Enterprise domain management & registrar services.
- Anti-phishing and digital threat takedowns.
- Brand monitoring across marketplaces and web.
- Deep experience with Fortune-level clients.
- Integration with legal and security programs.
13 – OpSec Security
Founders: Founded as OpSec in 1983 (corporate evolution).
Founded: 1983.
Headquarters: Lancaster, PA, USA (global ops).
Product categories: Anti-counterfeiting, on-product authentication, online monitoring, trademark enforcement.
Description:
OpSec combines physical anti-counterfeiting (secure packaging, authentication) with online brand protection, giving brand owners both upstream product authentication and downstream marketplace enforcement. For companies where product diversion, grey market and physical counterfeiting are primary brand risks, OpSec’s blended physical + digital approach can deliver a more complete protection program.
Key features:
- On-product authentication technologies (holograms, markers).
- Supply-chain anti-counterfeiting programs.
- Online monitoring & marketplace enforcement.
- Forensics & evidence gathering for enforcement.
- Global field-operations support for raids & seizures.
14 – MarqVision
Founders: Mark Lee and team (Y Combinator origins).
Founded: 2019–2020 (YC cohort).
Headquarters: Los Angeles / global teams.
Product categories: AI brand protection, counterfeit detection, marketplace enforcement, trademark application monitoring.
Description:
MarqVision is a recent entrant that pairs advanced AI detection with enforcement services and regional enforcement expertise (notably in APAC manufacturing hubs). It markets fast detection → enforcement cycles and litigation support where needed. Brands seeking quick, AI-accelerated takedowns and litigation pathways in Asia often shortlist MarqVision because of its enforcement networks.
Key features:
- Rapid AI detection + automated takedowns.
- Regional enforcement and anti-counterfeit litigation support.
- Marketplace monitoring and evidence packaging.
- Brand Exposure reporting and metrics.
- Fast feature releases and iterative product roadmap.
15 – Bolster
Founders: Security-research founders (company evolved 2017 onwards).
Founded: 2017.
Headquarters: Santa Clara / Los Altos, CA, USA.
Product categories: Digital risk protection, domain & app monitoring, phishing takedowns, impersonation removal.
Description:
Bolster takes a security-first lens to brand protection: monitoring domains, app stores, social and dark web for impersonation and phishing threats and automating takedowns. Security and brand teams who must prioritize customer protection, anti-phishing and immediate automated response find Bolster’s platform attractive because it bridges brand risk and security incident response.
Key features:
- Domain & app store monitoring + automated takedowns.
- Social media impersonation and scam detection.
- Customer abuse mailbox for fast triage.
- Dark-web monitoring for leaked credentials.
- Integrations with security & customer support tooling.
16 – Alt Legal
Founders: Nehal Madhani (founder & CEO) with co-founders Charles Amoako and Gabe Kneisley.
Founded: 2013.
Headquarters: USA (serves law firms & in-house).
Product categories: Trademark docketing & workflow software, prosecution tracking, renewals reminders, watch integrations.
Description:
Alt Legal provides a modern docketing and prosecution platform purpose-built for trademark professionals. It automates USPTO & international docket tracking, deadlines and filing workflows and includes watch/monitoring integrations. Law firms and busy in-house teams choose Alt Legal for an inexpensive, trademark-centric case management system that replaces error-prone spreadsheets.
Key features:
- Trademark-focused docketing & workflow automation.
- USPTO automation and deadline tracking.
- Watch integrations & client reporting.
- User experience built for trademark teams.
- Cost-effective SaaS for small to mid firms and in-house teams.
17 – IPfolio
Founders: Spin-out from Unycom / founding team (company profiles).
Founded: 2012.
Headquarters: US (Berkeley / Indianapolis origins).
Product categories: IP portfolio management (patents & trademarks), invention capture, docketing integrations, reporting dashboards.
Description:
IPfolio is an IP management SaaS that supports trademarks as part of an enterprise IP portfolio. Its strengths are configurability (custom fields, workflows) and tying IP to products and revenue streams – which helps in-house teams present trademark KPIs to business stakeholders. For companies wanting a single pane for all IP assets (not just trademarks), IPfolio is a lightweight, practical choice.
Key features:
- Flexible IP portfolio dashboards (patents & trademarks).
- Inventor/inventor portal and capture workflows.
- Reporting for finance and product teams.
- Docketing & renewal integrations.
- Scales for startups to enterprise IP teams.
18 – NameProtect
Founders: Early domain/trademark monitoring pioneers (company history).
Founded: c.1997 (NameProtect brand established late 1990s).
Headquarters: US (Madison/Wilmington listings historically).
Product categories: Trademark watching, domain & brand monitoring, online enforcement, marketplace monitoring.
Description:
NameProtect was an early entrant in combining domain services and trademark watching; historically used by corporations in the US to protect names, domains and marks. For regional programs and small-to-mid firms that started brand protection programs in the 2000s, NameProtect (and similar legacy services) still surface in enterprise stacks as part of multi-vendor protection strategies.
Key features:
- Early trademark & domain monitoring services.
- Domain acquisition and defensive registration.
- Watch reporting and incident triage.
- Useful for legacy enterprise programs and regional monitoring.
- Integration options for legal teams.
19 – NetNames (now part of CSC / legacy player)
Founders: Ivan Pope (founder).
Founded: 1995.
Headquarters: London (historically).
Product categories: Domain management, online brand monitoring, trademark enforcement, acquisitions & recovery.
Description:
NetNames was a pioneer in domain name management and online brand protection in Europe. After several acquisitions it became part of larger digital brand services groups (CSC) and its technology/knowledge helped shape enterprise domain & trademark protection services in the region. NetNames’ legacy matters if you need deep European marketplace know-how or migrations from legacy platforms.
Key features:
- Domain portfolio management & migrations.
- Experience with European marketplaces and registries.
- Recovery and acquisition services.
- Legacy program migrations to modern platforms.
- Consulting on gTLD strategy.
20 – Rouse (specialist IP firm with trademark consulting)
Founders: Rouse established by experienced IP practitioners (UK).
Founded: 1990 (London).
Headquarters: London / global network.
Product categories: Trademark prosecution, portfolio strategy, enforcement, brand policing, commercialisation & licensing.
Description:
Rouse is a specialist IP firm that mixes legal prosecution with strategic trademark consulting: portfolio rationalization, enforcement programs, domain strategy and monetization. For businesses that prefer a law-firm partner for both counseling and hands-on enforcement, Rouse offers boutique-style counsel with global reach – particularly strong for European/Asian expansion and cross-jurisdiction enforcement programs.
Key features:
- Full-service trademark law & prosecution.
- Strategic portfolio reviews and pruning.
- Enforcement & litigation across jurisdictions.
- Domain & digital brand advisory.
- Sector specialists for consumer, luxury and tech brands.
How to use this shortlist (practical buyer advice)
- If you need audit-grade clearance and enterprise reporting, shortlist Clarivate (CompuMark), Corsearch and Questel.
- For online takedowns & e-commerce enforcement, prioritize Corsearch (Incopro), Red Points, MarqVision, BrandShield or Bolster.
- If domain governance is central, choose Com Laude, MarkMonitor or CSC (NetNames heritage).
- For high-quality translations & country filing risk reduction, use RWS.
- For fast name-generation & high-volume screening, TrademarkNow or Markify fit best.
- For docketing & in-house workflow, consider Alt Legal or IPfolio.
Shortlist 3 firms, ask for: sample deliverables (clearance memo, watch dashboard, takedown evidence pack), SLA/time-to-takedown metrics, a CV of the proposed lead, and a small pilot (5–10 marks or a 30-day watch) to validate quality.
Conclusion – matching capability to risk
Trademark consulting vendors are specialized: some excel at data and clearance, some at digital enforcement, and others at domain governance or legal strategy. Choose by the risk you face (naming vs. marketplace counterfeits vs. domain hijack vs. cross-border enforcement) and validate through short pilots and required evidence packages. If you’d like, I’ll:
