Overview
AppColl Prosecution Manager is a cloud-based intellectual property docketing and prosecution management platform designed for law firms and corporate IP departments that find enterprise tools like Anaqua too large or expensive. AppColl covers patent and trademark prosecution management, client billing for IP matters, deadline docketing with USPTO integration, and client-facing portals for IP portfolio visibility. Its pricing model — based on matter count rather than per-user fees — makes it cost-effective for smaller IP boutiques and general practice firms with IP practices. AppColl's automatic synchronization with USPTO filing deadlines reduces manual docket monitoring and the risk of missed deadlines. The platform integrates with QuickBooks for financial synchronization and supports LEDES billing format for corporate clients. AppColl's matter-count pricing model — typically $1–$3 per active matter per month — is cost-effective for firms with a mix of active and inactive matters, since dormant matters are not billed at full per-user rates. The platform's client portal gives corporate IP clients direct visibility into their portfolio status, prosecution deadlines, and billing activity. AppColl is best for IP boutiques and general practice firms with 2–25 attorneys handling patent and trademark prosecution. Firms with primarily licensing or transactional IP work rather than active prosecution may find the platform's prosecution focus limiting.
Key features
USPTO Docketing
Automated deadline tracking for US patent prosecution events: office action responses, appeal deadlines, issue fee payments, and maintenance fees. Syncs with USPTO records.
Prosecution File Management
Organized storage for all prosecution documents — applications, office actions, responses, and correspondence — linked to each matter record.
Deadline Management
Calendar view of upcoming deadlines across all matters. Automated reminders to attorneys and clients before critical dates.
Client Portal
Inventors and clients view prosecution status, upcoming deadlines, and documents in a self-service portal — reduces client status inquiry calls.
International Docketing
PCT filing deadlines and international prosecution tracking for firms with foreign patent activity.
Reporting
Portfolio status reports for clients and firm management. Active matters, upcoming deadlines, and billing summaries.
Pros and cons
Pros
- $150/month base pricing is accessible for solo IP attorneys and small patent practices
- USPTO integration receives official correspondence and updates dockets automatically
- Self-serve setup — no lengthy implementation project required
- Good client portal for keeping inventors informed about prosecution status
- Cloud-based with mobile access — no desktop installation
Cons
- Less comprehensive than enterprise platforms (Anaqua, Inprotech) for large portfolio management
- International docketing capabilities are less robust than enterprise alternatives
- No built-in annuity payment services — requires a separate renewal service provider
- Analytics and reporting are limited compared to enterprise IP management tools
- Not suitable for IP-intensive large corporations with hundreds of active filings
Pricing
30-day free trial — no credit card required.
Pricing current as of May 2026; verify with vendor before purchasing.
Who it's best for
Best fit for
- Solo patent attorneys and small IP law firms needing affordable docketing software
- Startups and small companies managing their own patent portfolio with in-house IP staff
- IP boutiques transitioning from spreadsheet-based docketing to a dedicated system
- Firms needing USPTO integration and client portals without enterprise implementation
Not a fit for
- Large corporations with 100+ active patents requiring enterprise IP management (use Anaqua)
- Firms with significant international portfolio volume needing robust PCT and national phase tracking
- Practices requiring built-in annuity payment services
Frequently asked questions
AppColl starts at $150/month for the base plan. Higher tiers with more users and features are available. Contact AppColl for current pricing.
Yes. AppColl receives official USPTO correspondence and updates docket records automatically for active patent prosecutions.
AppColl can be used by independent inventors, but it is primarily designed for IP attorneys. Inventors working directly with a patent attorney typically don't need their own docketing software.
Anaqua is an enterprise platform for large corporate portfolios; AppColl is for small to mid-size firms. AppColl is significantly cheaper and simpler. Large practices will outgrow AppColl; small firms will find Anaqua unnecessarily complex and expensive.
AppColl tracks maintenance fee deadlines but does not provide payment services. A separate patent renewal service provider is needed for annuity payments.