Intellectual Patent Law

Intellectual Property Solicitors in Altrincham and Greater Manchester

Intellectual Patent Lawyers

In today’s innovation-driven economy, your creative and technical breakthroughs are invaluable assets. Intellectual patent law is a specialised branch of intellectual property (IP) law dedicated to the robust legal protection of these inventions. For businesses and individual inventors in the UK, understanding and securing patent protection is not just a legal formality; it’s a critical strategic imperative for safeguarding your innovations and maintaining a decisive competitive edge in the marketplace.

At mlplaw, we understand that your intellectual property is the lifeblood of your business. Our experienced Commercial Law team is adept at navigating the complexities of patent law, offering comprehensive guidance and support to ensure your inventions are legally protected and your commercial interests are secured.

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    mlplaw – Your Expert Partner

    At mlplaw, our Commercial Law team specialises in guiding businesses and inventors through the complex landscape of intellectual property, with a particular focus on patent protection. We combine our legal acumen with a deep understanding of commercial realities to provide practical, strategic advice.

    Commercial Lawyers Manchester

    Why choose mlplaw for your patent and IP needs?:

    • Holistic IP Strategy: We help you identify all your valuable IP assets, not just patents.
    • Patentability Assessments: We advise on whether your invention meets the strict criteria for patent protection in the UK.
    • Application Guidance: We assist with the meticulous preparation and filing of your patent application with the UKIPO.
    • Responding to Objections: We provide expert support in responding to examination reports and overcoming objections from the patent office.
    • International Protection: Advice on extending your patent protection internationally, where applicable.
    • IP Due Diligence: Critical in mergers, acquisitions, or investment rounds.
    • Licensing and Commercialisation: Maximising the value of your IP through effective agreements.
    • IP Enforcement: Taking action against infringement to protect your exclusive rights.
    • Trade Mark Registration: Protecting your brand identity.
    • Design Rights: Safeguarding the aesthetic appearance of your products.

    The Patent Application Process: A Structured Journey

    Securing a patent in the UK is a detailed and rigorous process, requiring meticulous preparation and adherence to specific procedures set out by the UK Intellectual Property Office (UKIPO).
    The process can be lengthy, often taking several years, but it can be accelerated under certain circumstances (e.g., green channel for environmentally friendly inventions).

    1. Filing a Detailed Application

    The inventor or their legal representative must submit a comprehensive patent application to the UKIPO.

    This typically includes:

    – Any drawings necessary to illustrate the invention.

    – Claims: These are critical as they legally define the scope of the protection sought for the invention.

    – An abstract: A brief summary of the invention.

    2. Examination

    The UKIPO then rigorously examines the application to ensure it meets all legal requirements for patentability (novelty, inventive step, and industrial applicability). This often involves correspondence between the examiner and the applicant to refine the application.

    3. Grant of Patent

    If the UKIPO determines that the invention meets all criteria, the patent will be granted. The patent owner then has the exclusive right to exploit the invention commercially within the UK.

    What is a Patent? Your Exclusive Right to Innovate

    A patent is an exclusive legal right granted to an inventor, giving them the authority to prevent others from making, using, selling, or importing their invention without permission. This monopoly is granted for a limited period, typically 20 years from the filing date in the UK, provided renewal fees are paid. In return for this exclusive right, the inventor must publicly disclose the technical details of their invention, fostering further innovation and benefiting society as a whole.

    The Pillars of Patentability: Key Elements of Patent Law

    For an invention to be granted a patent in the UK, it must meet stringent criteria, ensuring that only genuine innovations receive this powerful protection.

    Patentable Subject Matter

    Patents are granted for inventions that are products or processes offering a new technical solution to a problem. This broad definition includes:

    • Machines: Such as novel manufacturing equipment.
    • Manufactured Articles: Like new consumer goods or industrial components.
    • Chemical Compositions: Including new pharmaceuticals or material formulations.
    • Certain Processes: Such as new methods of production or industrial operations.

    It’s important to note that certain things are generally excluded from patentability, such as literary or artistic works (protected by copyright), methods of doing business, scientific theories, or medical treatments.

    Essential Requirements for a UK Patent

    For your invention to qualify for a patent from the UK Intellectual Property Office (UKIPO), it must satisfy three core requirements:

    • Novelty: Your invention must be absolutely new and not publicly disclosed anywhere in the world before your patent application is filed. This is a strict requirement – any prior public disclosure by you or anyone else can invalidate your patent.
    • Inventive Step (Non-obviousness): The invention must not be obvious to a person “skilled in the relevant field.” It must involve a genuine creative leap beyond what is already known or could be easily deduced by an expert in that area.
    • Utility (Industrial Applicability): The invention must have a practical application and be capable of being made or used in some kind of industry. It must be something that can be practically implemented.

    Types of Patents in the UK

    While the most common is the ‘standard’ patent, it’s helpful to understand the general categories often discussed in patent law:

    • Utility Patents: These protect the functional aspects of an invention, how it works and what it does. This category covers new and useful processes, machines, articles of manufacture, or compositions of matter, as well as significant improvements to these.
    • Design Patents: Unlike utility patents, design patents protect the unique visual qualities or ornamental design of a product. This focuses on the aesthetic appearance rather than the functional aspects (e.g., the distinctive shape of a bottle). In the UK, these are known as Registered Designs.
    • Plant Patents: These are specifically granted for new and distinct, asexually reproduced plant varieties. While less common for most businesses, they are vital for the agricultural and horticultural industries.

    Understanding and securing patent protection is a non-negotiable step for any inventor or business aiming to safeguard their innovations and maintain a competitive edge. It’s an investment in your future.

    At mlplaw, we pride ourselves on a dynamic and personal approach. We take the time to understand your business, your innovations, and your commercial objectives. Our commitment to you is built on reliability, flexibility, honesty, and transparency.

    Our lawyers are ideally positioned to support businesses across Manchester, the North West, and beyond. For expert advice on intellectual patent law and all your commercial legal needs, contact us today. Protect what’s yours and build a stronger, more innovative future.

    Call us on 0161 926 9969 or email enquiries@mlplaw.co.uk

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    Meet our Team

    Stephen-Attree - Commercial Law expert

    Stephen Attree

    Managing Partner - Corporate, Commercial, IP and Disputes specialist
    Rachel Owen - Partner and Corporate Law expert

    Rachel Owen

    Partner - Corporate

    Max McGenity

    Solicitor – Corporate
    Amelia Denton - Corporate, Commercial and IP

    Amelia Denton

    Solicitor - Commercial and IP
    Karen Delamore - Partner Corporate and Commercial - mlplaw

    Karen Delamore

    Partner - Corporate and Commercial

    Stephen Attree

    Managing Partner - Corporate, Commercial, IP and Disputes specialist

    Stephen is the Managing Partner of mlplaw and has over 25 years’ experience advising on all aspects of contentious and non-contentious business law and business ownership. Recommended in both Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners, Stephen is renowned for his ability to quickly identify a client’s successful outcome and to then relentlessly pursue that outcome.

    Stephen has developed a particular specialism in digital, technology, healthcare and family owned businesses. He covers all areas of business law and ownership, including commercial litigation and private disputes, and together with his corporate and commercial team provides advice on all aspects of the law relating to mergers, acquisitions, financing, re-structuring, complex commercial contracts, standard trading terms, share options, shareholder and partnership agreements, commercial dispute resolution, joint venture and partnering arrangements, IT and Technology law, Intellectual Property, EU and competition law, Brexit, Data Protection and GDPR.

    Stephen spent over 10 years at a leading city firm before moving to mlplaw which he acquired through a MBO in 2014. He continued to develop the firm as a boutique corporate and commercial firm with a specialist private client offering renowned for the quality of its people and its first class client service. During that time Stephen has published a book “Family Business Succession – the options and pitfalls” and raised significant amounts of money for charity.

    Stephen works closely with mlplaw’s leadership team to implement improvements and innovations that enhance the service we provide to clients and that make mlplaw an even greater place to work.  This includes a collaborative and innovative approach to pricing including aligning our charges to the outcomes delivered for clients and monthly retainers that covers all our services and a full commitment to hybrid and flexible working and an impressive, flexible, benefits package.  He champions our “Do the Right Thing” initiatives especially our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion efforts and supporting our chosen social enterprises and charities with free advice.

    Email: stephena@mlplaw.co.uk
    Phone: 0161 926 1524

    Rachel Owen

    Partner - Corporate

    Rachel is a highly experienced Corporate lawyer who joined mlplaw in 2019 from a national law firm and now leads the Corporate Team.

    Rachel’s main area of work is mergers and acquisitions covering share and asset acquisitions and disposals, but includes management buy-outs, investments, group re-organisations, demergers, joint ventures, shareholders agreement, articles of association, cross options, share capital arrangements, corporate governance, employee ownership schemes and share incentive schemes.

    She has a pragmatic approach and understands client’s priorities and objectives. She assists with the day to day needs of business clients.

    Rachel has gained particular experience in the Insurance and Healthcare sectors, but acts for clients from across the spectrum.

    Email: rachelo@mlplaw.co.uk
    Phone: 0161 926 1579

    Max McGenity

    Solicitor – Corporate

    Max is a Solicitor in the Corporate team and works with a variety of clients such as owner-run businesses, national corporations and private individuals.

    Having joined mlplaw as a Corporate Paralegal in November 2021, Max has built up experience in this area and hopes to continue developing his Business Services skillset.

    Max graduated from the University of Oxford in 2014 and has since been a manager at a national education charity and started his own business as a Personal Trainer and Yoga Teacher. He completed his LPC and LLM at BPP University Manchester, having gained legal work experience at both a mid-sized Liverpool practice and a large London firm.

    Having stepped away from the fitness industry to return to the law, Max’s love of exercise continues outside of work; he is a regular gym-goer and a fan of physical challenges. He also enjoys live music and comedy, and a good pub quiz.

    Phone: 0161 926 1523

    Amelia Denton

    Solicitor - Commercial and IP

    Amelia is a Solicitor in the Commercial and Intellectual Property team at mlplaw, having joined the firm in 2021 as a paralegal. During her training, she gained a broad range of legal experience, completing seats in Commercial and Intellectual Property, Corporate, Employment, and Litigation. This diverse background allows her to provide both contentious and non-contentious advice with a strong commercial focus.

    Prior to joining mlplaw, Amelia worked in-house at a construction company and a tech start-up, developing a deep understanding of legal issues from a business perspective. In addition, she gained legal work experience in private practice at a national law firm and small to mid-sized regional firms, offering insight into various legal environments and client needs.

    Amelia is committed to delivering pragmatic, commercially focused legal solutions that align with clients’ strategic business objectives.

    Outside of work Amelia enjoys trying different restaurants, live music and comedy, country walks and spending time with family and friends.

    Email: ameliad@mlplaw.co.uk
    Phone: 0161 926 1528

    Karen Delamore

    Partner - Corporate and Commercial

    Karen has broad and extensive experience in corporate and commercial law and particular expertise in equipment leasing and asset finance, both working in law firms and in- house positions.

    Karen studied French and Russian at Oxford University before attending Chester law school and training in a London law firm. She relocated, shortly after qualifying, to Paris and spent several years working in the Paris branch of the London law firm, specialising in shipping and aviation finance where her clients included French banks ,a leading Irish aircraft lessor and a major French shipping company. She returned to the UK in 1998 and spent 12 years as senior counsel in GE Capital’s European equipment leasing business and (after its sale from GE ) 4 years for TIP Trailer Services working on major customer leasing transactions and disposals and acquisitions of related businesses . Prior to joining MLP Karen was a partner in a national law firm. In her spare time Karen enjoys golf, yoga, dancing and learning Spanish.

    Email: karend@mlplaw.co.uk
    Phone: 0161 926 9969

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