Patent
Solicitors and Lawyers

Patent Protection & Dispute Resolution

Patents protect inventions, following a formal examination by a Patent Office. They are territorial in nature and last (subject to renewal) for 20 years from application.

For an invention to be patentable the invention must be new (novelty), not to be obvious over what is already known (inventive step) and it must be capable of industrial application.

Patents are generally granted for products or processes or methods for producing products. Inventions protected by patents range from the simple, such as a novel type of paper clip, to the immensely complicated, such as a new technique to produce semiconductor chips or a new pharmaceutical product. Contrary to popular belief computer software can be protected by patents; an area of law which is still developing rapidly.

Patents give their owners the rights to stop others making a product or using a process which is covered by the claims of the patent; the claims being the part of the patent which defines the scope of protection. A patent owner may exploit his patent himself or grant a licence to others. We can assist you in the negotiation and drafting of licences involving your patents or patents for which you are seeking a licence.

Patent disputes tend to be hard fought and complex, often involving expert evidence from the world’s top scientists. Our patent lawyers have experience of cases (including trials and appeals) in a range of technologies including genetic engineering, antibody technology, pharmaceuticals, herbicides, microporous filters, blood collection devices, pharmaceutical manufacturing equipment, bar code technology, personal stereos, medical devices, compact discs and paper making equipment.

Key Patent Protection Personnel:

Please click on the links below to find out more about the key members of our IP team