patents
A patent is an exclusive right granted to the creator of an invention. Broadly put, in order to acquire such protection an invention must be technical or functional by nature; it must be novel; it must contain an 'inventive step' and it must have an industrial use.
A patent will confer on the owner the right to prevent third parties using the invention without prior consent. Once a patent registration is filed, it will be available to be viewed on the register. If a third party wishes to make use of the patented invention, it must enter into a commercial agreement with the proprietor of the patent.
Patents are territorial by nature, thus the protection of a UK patent will not have effect in, for example, Germany or Australia. If, therefore, the intended market for an invention is in a number of countries, it may make commercial sense to obtain separate patents for each country.
Certain international conventions are applicable in this context such as, for example, the European Patent Convention, which will allow for a single application to be made to the European Patent Office in respect of obtaining a single patent applicable to a number of countries (provided that they are signatories of the aforementioned agreement).
prior art searching
palmer biggs legal can help clients from the initial stages of protecting their invention, by prior art searching.
patent filing / registration
palmer biggs legal offers specialist advice and services to clients in relation to the filing and registration of a patent and in relation to infringement and unauthorised use.
We co-ordinate the drafting and filing of patent applications in the UK; through the European Patent Office; and through the World Intellectual Property Organisation.
We have a strong network of international patent agents for any local territorial issues.
If you require further information please contact us.
