Our methodology
We conduct research both in our archives and in other sources, in France and internationally, in intellectual property registers and outside registers.
OUR ARCHIVES
Over 30,000 references
We have been developing a highly specialised documentary collection for over 15 years. We keep as many works as possible (particularly in paper format) in order to create the most comprehensive and detailed database possible on designs and trademarks.
Why do we keep paper documents? Because they provide indisputable, dated evidence.
Books: We have more than 1,400 French and foreign books specialising in “classic” manufactured goods (jewellery, bags, shoes, perfume bottles, logos, glasses, etc.) as well as more unusual items (hangers, piggy banks, ashtrays, etc.), as well as monographic books on designers and brands (Piaget, Louis Vuitton, Virgil Abloh, Hay, Marimekko, etc.).
Magazines: Our archives contain more than 220 titles of professional and consumer magazines, drawn from both the general and specialist press, with hundreds or even thousands of issues for each title depending on their frequency (for example, we have more than 2,000 issues of Elle FR dating back to 1940). We have magazines from France and various other countries, such as Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), Vogue, Cronos, Ideat, Cosmétiquemag, L’Officiel Horlogerie et Bijouterie, Toy World, El Mueble, and more.
Sales catalogues: We have classified and archived thousands of sales catalogues in sectors as varied as furniture, lighting, decorative accessories, tableware, high-tech gadgets, jewellery, watches, toys, patterns, tools, agri-food, etc. For example, we have Manufrance catalogues from the 1960s to the 1980s, Sears (USA) catalogues from the 1930s to the 1970s, and catalogues from Mango, La Redoute, Argos (UK), Carrefour, Maisons du Monde, IKEA, and more.
We also keep brochures, auction catalogues, advertising inserts, etc.
Our collection is constantly being expanded.
Every day, we receive the latest issues of the periodicals to which we subscribe in order to stay at the forefront of trends. We also acquire recent publications that we consider relevant to our research. Finally, we collect sales catalogues and hunt for old magazines at flea markets or from private individuals to supplement our archives.
METICULOUS CLASSIFICATION
Technological investment at the service of human expertise.
We have developed a customised internal database comprising an inventory of our books, magazines and catalogues but also a “designs” database and a catalogue of our external sources.
A rigorous inventory: Every item in our collection is catalogued using bespoke in-house software. This database enables users to locate a publication and identify the products listed in it, along with their dates.
A ‘DESIGNS’ database: our team has catalogued every new design that deserves special attention, either for its originality or the identity of its creator. These designs are associated with a designer’s name, a brand, a descriptive text, and, above all, the medium in which it appeared. This database is a unique internal catalogue listing the most original designs identified by our research specialists over the years.
External sources: Our internal database lists thousands of external national and international sources: libraries, blogs, physical and online museums, documentation centres, databases, etc. Our database is updated daily by our team. It allows us to target additional sources for our research thanks to accurate referencing.
We also have a digital library equipped with ICR (Intelligent Character Recognition) technology.
ICR technology: Many of our works are archived in our digital library equipped with ICR (Intelligent Character Recognition) technology, enabling advanced and targeted text searches. See the example opposite with the product search for ‘sneakers’ between 1970 and 2022.
Thematic and chronological classification: In addition to textual searches across all publications, our archivists compile documentary files using press articles sorted by product type and date. For example, we have a documentary file entitled “Tableware – 2017” which contains all the publications on this topic for that year.
MULTI-SOURCES RESEARCH
Our mission: to provide you with reliable and relevant information, wherever it may be found.
Beyond our archives: we conduct in-depth investigations on the Internet (social networks, commercial websites, blogs, etc.), in external databases, in online museum collections, in the national and international press, in the economic and specialised press in many countries around the world (Vietnam peru, Italy, USA…), in industrial property registers in more than 70 countries, and more.
Artificial Intelligence: Our team incorporates AI-based visual recognition systems into their research on the internet and in industrial property registers in various territories, such as Europe, France, USA and China. AI is used by our archivists as a complementary technological tool. Our research specialists are trained in the limitations of this tool and the risks concerning the confidentiality of the information transmitted.
Upon request: we visit libraries and museums as Museum of Decorative Arts in Paris, Forney Museum, Barcelona Design Museum, International Shoe Museum in Romans, Fashion and Lace Museum in Brussels…
We offer a search strategy tailored to your needs.
To find out more, visit our trademark services and design services pages or contact us.
We would be delighted to answer your questions.
Expert archivists
We are a team of archivists who are experts in documentary research in the field of IP.
We know where to look for information.
We have an exclusive documentary collection that is updated daily with digital and paper publications.
We conduct multi-sources research (documentary collection, Internet, museums, IP registers, etc.):
an undeniable time-saver.
We are able to respond quickly, even urgently, to your request. We offer a search strategy tailored to your deadlines.
