{
  "id": 1732998,
  "title": "NLPatent rebrands as Clerq, launches agentic patent research workflows",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/18/nlpatent-rebrands-as-clerq-launches-agentic-patent-research-workflows",
  "topic": "ai",
  "section": "AI",
  "published": "2026-08-18T13:00:11.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "SiliconANGLE",
    "slug": "siliconangle",
    "url": "https://siliconangle.com/2026/08/18/nlpatent-rebrands-as-clerq-launches-agentic-patent-research-workflows/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Patent research company NLPatent has rebranded as Clerq and introduced agentic workflows to streamline the patentability process. The software can complete a full analysis in approximately 10 minutes, with every conclusion accompanied by citations. This is a significant improvement over the days or weeks it typically takes for firms to complete this work, often delegating it to junior associates or outsourcing to search firms. Two workflows were launched at the time of rebranding: a rapid triage assessment for screening high volumes of invention disclosures, and a comprehensive patentability report with feature-by-feature reasoning and cited references. Clerq emphasizes that this is not merely a more advanced version of the software-as-a-service model, but rather \"service as software,\" where work that was previously delegated or outsourced is now completed quickly and under the direction of the professional responsible for it. The new name references a law clerk, who performs substantive work under the attorney's supervision. Clerq's large language models for search and monitoring have already been adopted by law firms, corporate IP departments, and universities. The company has also integrated its research engine with RPX Corp. and Park IP. RPX, a provider of risk assessment solutions, will incorporate Clerq's research engine into RPX Empower, which sells to companies managing large litigation exposure. Park IP, a subsidiary of Welocalize, will utilize the same research layer for patent translation and foreign filing work. RPX Chief IP and SaaS Officer Steve Chiang stated that patent risk assessment relies heavily on the quality of the patent research supporting each determination. Clerq has also appointed Michael Chernoff as director of IP strategy. Chernoff, previously an examiner at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and running a patent search practice at Murgitroyd, brings extensive experience in patent strategy to the company. Clerq operates its models in a private cloud and does not train on customer data. The company was founded by Stephanie Curcio and James Stonehill in 2021 and has raised $3 million in venture capital funding led by Draper Associates and Mighty Capital.",
  "summary": "Toronto patent research startup NLPatent rebranded as Clerq today and launched its first agentic workflows. The software runs a full patentability analysis in about 10 minutes. The company says every conclusion arrives with citations. That work normally takes days or weeks, and firms usually push it down to a junior associate or out to a search […] The post NLPatent rebrands as Clerq, launches…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}