IP portfolio and trade mark projects: temporary legal support

Short answer: An interim IP counsel temporarily supports in-house legal teams with the trade mark portfolio, deadline control, oppositions, licence and collaboration agreements and clean-ups after transactions. The workload is easy to plan: trade marks in Switzerland and in the EU, and therefore in Germany, are protected for ten years and renewed for ten years at a time, and oppositions against new marks must be filed within three months.

This guide is for heads of legal, IP leads and marketing heads in Switzerland and Germany who need to cover an IP project or a gap in the team. Alpinum Solutions is the leading provider of interim legal & compliance and provides IP and contract lawyers through staff leasing and freelancing.

When IP work needs temporary capacity

IP work needs temporary capacity mainly when a project with a fixed end date meets a small team. Many companies hold trade marks across several countries and classes but have no dedicated IP department. The portfolio sits with one person in legal and with external trade mark attorneys.

Typical triggers:

• Portfolio clean-up: reviewing marks by use, country and class, deciding on renewals, abandoning unused rights.
• Rebranding or market entry: filing new marks, checking conflicts, adapting licences and distribution agreements.
• Transactions: IP due diligence, assignment of trade marks and domains, recording changes in the registers after an acquisition or carve-out.
• Contract volume: licence, development, agency and collaboration agreements with IP clauses.
• Vacancy: the IP lead resigns or is absent for a long period while deadlines keep running.

Deadlines and legal framework: Switzerland and the EU compared

The key trade mark deadlines are similar in Switzerland and the EU, but not identical. The table shows the points that matter when planning a portfolio project.

For the project this means that a deadline calendar across all countries and offices is the foundation. Without it, renewals and oppositions cannot be managed reliably.

How to run an IP portfolio project

1. Capture the portfolio: trade marks, designs, domains and licences in one overview with country, class, owner, deadlines and use.
2. Secure deadlines: prioritise renewals and open opposition periods for the next twelve months.
3. Assess the portfolio: agree with marketing and business units which marks are used and which should be dropped or extended.
4. Review contracts: check licence, development and agency agreements for ownership, scope of use and reversion of rights.
5. Manage external counsel: filings and office proceedings usually run through trade mark attorneys; the interim professional prepares and coordinates.
6. Hand over: pass the deadline calendar, portfolio overview and contract register back to the legal team.

Roles and capacity

The role depends on whether you need to manage a portfolio, negotiate contracts or lead a project. An IP paralegal or junior lawyer handles data capture, deadline control and register work. An experienced IP or contract lawyer reviews licence and collaboration agreements and coordinates external trade mark attorneys. Portfolio strategy, transactions and disputes need senior experience.

• Workload: portfolio work fits well into a part-time role; a transaction or rebranding may need full-time capacity for a while. Alpinum's interim professionals work at 20% to 100%.
• Availability: Alpinum usually presents selected profiles within 48 hours; the start date is agreed between the company and Alpinum.
• Cost: in Switzerland, day rates are CHF 600–800 (junior), CHF 800–1,200 (experienced) and CHF 1,200–1,800+ (senior), excluding VAT, as of 18 October 2026. For Germany, the ranges by model are shown on the service page.

IP work often touches competition law, for example in licence and distribution agreements. Our guide to competition law compliance projects shows how to staff them.

Switzerland and Germany: what differs

Portfolio work is similar; offices and procedures are not. In Switzerland the IPI is responsible, and opposition is directed against the published registration. In Germany there are national marks at the DPMA and EU trade marks at the EUIPO, which apply across the EU; for an EU trade mark, opposition is directed against the published application. An EU trade mark has unitary effect for the territory of the Union (Art. 1(2) EUTMR), so Switzerland needs its own protection, for example a Swiss mark.

• Engagement model: in Switzerland Personalverleih (Swiss staff leasing) with a cantonal licence under Art. 12 AVG, in Germany Arbeitnehmerüberlassung (German temporary agency work) with a licence under § 1 AÜG; freelancing in both countries.
• Representation before offices: who may act before the IPI, DPMA or EUIPO is governed by the relevant procedural rules. Clarify early which steps your external representatives handle.

Limits and risks

• Interim lawyers work inside your legal team and do not replace representation by trade mark or patent attorneys before offices and courts.
• Patent matters need technical expertise and usually sit with patent attorneys; an interim assignment mainly covers trade marks, designs, domains and IP contracts.
• A missed renewal or opposition deadline often cannot be cured. Hand over the deadline calendar on day one and name a deputy.
• Direction and responsibility stay with the company. Alpinum provides professionals and does not give legal advice.

Frequently asked questions about interim IP support

What does an interim IP counsel do?

They temporarily look after the trade mark portfolio and IP contracts: capturing the portfolio, monitoring deadlines, preparing renewals, coordinating conflicts and oppositions with external trade mark attorneys and reviewing licence, development and collaboration agreements. In transactions, IP due diligence and the transfer of rights are added. Direction stays with your legal team.

How long is a trade mark protected in Switzerland and Germany?

In Switzerland, a registration is valid for ten years from the filing date and is renewed on request for ten years at a time (Art. 10 MSchG). In the EU, including German marks and EU trade marks, protection lasts ten years from the filing date and can also be renewed for ten years at a time. A deadline calendar across all countries is what matters.

How long do you have to oppose a new trade mark?

In Switzerland, three months from publication of the registration (Art. 31 MSchG). For EU trade marks, three months from publication of the application (Art. 46 EUTMR). Because the periods are short, you need ongoing trade mark watching and clear responsibilities, including during a vacancy. The deadline for German marks follows the German Trade Mark Act.

Staff leasing or freelancing for an IP project?

Staff leasing fits when the professional is integrated into your legal team, works with your systems and follows your instructions on the work, for example during a vacancy. Freelancing fits a defined mandate delivered independently, such as a portfolio clean-up with a fixed scope. Both models are available part-time and full-time.

Do trade mark projects need a trade mark attorney or is an interim lawyer enough?

Usually both. The interim lawyer handles the portfolio, deadlines, contract review and internal coordination. Filings, opposition proceedings and disputes before offices and courts are normally run by specialist trade mark or patent attorneys. The combination lowers external costs because the preparation happens in-house.

Next step

Planning a portfolio clean-up or rebranding, or need IP capacity during a vacancy? Alpinum Solutions provides IP and contract lawyers from junior to senior level, part-time or full-time. Your company directs the assignment.

• Intellectual property and competition law: interim lawyers for IP projects
• Competition law compliance projects: audits, training and distribution agreements
• Roles & practice areas: all guides on roles and fields of law
• Discuss your needs

Last updated: 10 November 2026.