New to Intellectual Property?

Does your product work in a new way? You need a patent.

It will be necessary to prepare a patent specification to explain your invention and there is a rigorous examination process before a patent can be granted to ensure that the idea is new and not obvious. Professional assistance from our team is highly recommended.

The patenting process can take several years and can cost several thousand pounds. However, if successful, a granted patent provides the strongest protection available. For up to 20 years, it enables you to prevent others from using your invention, regardless of what they call it or how it looks.

Remember, your patent application must filed while the idea is still confidential, so talk to us before sharing your idea with anyone, such as your customers or friends!

To find out more about patents click here.

Have you got a new name or logo for your product – or for your whole business? You need a trade mark registration.

As your business reputation grows, you can build up rights to prevent others from passing themselves off as you. However, it can be a heavy burden to prove that your reputation is strong enough and at risk of being damaged. Registering your trade mark provides maximum protection from the outset against anyone using the same or a similar trade mark for the same or similar products or services. A registered trade mark is also a valuable tool against abuse of your domain name.

The cost of a trade mark registration depends on the range of products or services you wish to protect. In most countries, a registration lasts for an initial ten-year period but can be renewed indefinitely for similar periods.

The easiest trade marks to register and enforce against infringers are invented words (e.g., Google®, Xerox®), real words that do not describe the products (e.g., Apple®, Mars®), or distinctive logos. You can file your trade mark application at any time, but do not delay as someone else may get in first.

To find out more about trade marks click here.

Does your product look different? You need design rights.

From a dress to a dressing table or a mobile phone to a mobile home, if the shape of your product makes a different impression from what has been done before, it can be protected. There can also be design rights in 2D products such as wallpaper patterns and computer icons.

Some rights are automatically granted as soon as you record the design in a drawing or model (so please be sure to retain the originals). These “unregistered” rights allow you to stop anyone from trading in copies of your design within the UK or EU, but they only last for 3 years.

You can obtain stronger rights, lasting up to 25, years by registering the design. With our assistance, the application will cost a few hundred pounds for the UK only, and you should receive the registration certificate within a few days. To ensure you do not lose any rights, talk to us while the product design is still confidential.

To find out more about design rights click here.

Is it some other original creative work (text, image, music, film etc.)? You have to rely on copyright.

If your idea cannot be protected by a patent, trade mark registration, or design rights but is still the “original intellectual creation of an author”, it will automatically be protected by copyright. This applies to most text, photographs and other graphics, including websites.

The good news is that there is no registration procedure in the UK, so it does not cost anything, and in most cases the rights last for at least 70 years. The bad news is that, without a registration, it is up to you to keep good records to prove how and when the work was created so make sure that you date and archive early drafts.

One important point to note is that – just as with your wedding photos – if you commission someone outside your business to create the work, you do not automatically own the copyright and should request a written assignment.To find out more about copyright click here.

Yes! It is important to secure IP rights before making your invention or design public. Sharing your idea — even accidentally — could harm your ability to file a patent or registered design application. We can guide you through the process to safeguard your rights.

To speak to an IP expert click here.

We understand that individuals, start-ups, and small businesses need flexible solutions. That’s why we offer:

• Clear, jargon-free advice

• Transparent pricing

• Practical strategies based on your commerical aims and budget

To book a free introductory consultation click here.

Absolutely. Whether you have a sketch in your notebook, a working prototype, or a growing brand, we will explain your options and guide you step-by-step. No pressure, no hard sell — just good advice, tailored to your needs.