IP Protection

In today’s fast moving global marketplace, it is imperative to safeguard intellectual property to ensure enduring commercial success and recoup research and development costs. Our team of IP specialists can advise about patent, trade mark and registered design protection, as well as any IP-related legal and commercial requirements. All businesses are operating at one or more stages of what we call the IP Lifecycle. The stage you are at usually depends on the maturity of your business and your level of experience and sophistication around intellectual property rights. Mewburn Ellis can be counted on to be one step ahead, looking at how IP can benefit your business both now and in the future.

At Mewburn Ellis we are renowned for our IP expertise and technical ability, our focus is on strategic advice to maximise the potential of your IP as an asset and so increase the value of your business. Our IP specialists cover all sectors and technical fields and work closely with each other, meaning we can adapt and build multidisciplinary teams structured to meet on your specific needs, operating in a way that works for your business. We’re flexible – we can even cover periods of absence, or place a member of our team on secondment with you if needed.

We’re known for providing clear, concise and to the point IP advice. We won’t crush new ideas at early stages, but from the outset we’ll be clear on what will and won’t work from an IP perspective. Our attorneys work at all stages of the IP life cycle and can manage IP in any jurisdiction. We have a clear understanding of local practice requirements worldwide and work hand in hand with trusted local attorney firms around the world.

We can advise on portfolio management, helping you to integrate your IP into your business plan and to ensure that it's fully aligned to your strategy. We also offer audits of your existing IP portfolio to help you identify what IP you currently have, providing strategic advice and guidance along the way.

Whatever your location, size, sector or business needs, we have someone that understands your business and your technology and can work with you to provide the IP Protection that you need.

Every aspect of your IP covered

I want to patent an invention

We have patent attorneys working in every technical field, many of whom hold PhDs in their subject. So whether your focus is life sciences, chemistry or engineering and electronics, we can help.

I want to trade mark a brand

Our trade mark attorneys understand brands and their importance to your business. They can work with you throughout the process of registered or unregistered trade mark adoption.

I want to protect my design

Our team has a wealth of experience in the preparation and filing of designs, often working in many fields that don’t have an obvious need for design protection, but which have found considerable benefits from including design registrations in their IP portfolio.

I need help with Patent Term Extensions

Our pharma Extensions and Exclusivity specialists have broad experience with Patent Term Extensions (including SPCs) and the Regulatory Exclusivity provisions relating to pharma products. They regularly support large and small clients with their extensions strategies and filings.

I need to validate my EP

Your European Patent (EP) does not automatically deliver Europe-wide protection on grant. Your EP will need to be validated in one or more of the member states of the European Patent Convention. Validation is something our highly efficient and experienced in-house validation team can manage for you.

I need to renew my IP rights

Our in-house renewal team has over 30 years’ experience in paying renewal fees at the EPO, UKIPO, USPTO and other foreign intellectual property offices. Where possible we pay fees directly to the patent office concerned enabling us to offer an efficient and low cost service.

I need some commercial advice

We have a wealth of experience advising on technology transfer and the commercialisation of IP, ranging from advising on the existence, protection and management of IP rights through to drafting and negotiating complex contracts involving IP.

I need help to resolve a dispute

The reality of IP ownership is the possibility of disputes, whether that be a person infringing your IP, or defending your business against allegations. We seek to deal holistically with IP disputes, which can involve a range of different options and strategies to maximise your outcomes.

I need help with an opposition

We have an excellent track record handling offensive and defensive patent and trade mark oppositions, appeals and cancellations both in the UK and Europe. We have advised hundreds of clients on their opposition and appeals strategies and have a deep understanding of this area.

I need help with challenging a domain name

We can handle both the filing of domain name complaints and responding to them, plus provide advice and assistance relating to other contentious domain name matters.