Spotlight on SMEs

We work with lots of start-ups, spin outs and SMEs and it's the kind of work we really enjoy. Working with small businesses means we are a key part of their strategic team and often involved from the very start. It's exciting, working with entrepreneurs that are passionate about their ideas and their businesses.

They bring the ideas and the passion and we bring the IP knowledge and experience in how to protect their business using IP and then leverage those key assets to build their business further. For many we've been with them right from the beginning. We have clients that started in their shed or as a one man band and sold their companies for millions. We've been there and done it for the full IP lifecycle from registering those first patents and trade marks through to supporting funding rounds, mergers and acquisitions and IPO. Some examples of the types of work we have done are listed below:

• Biotech Start-up – We’ve helped an life sciences company sell to a global market leader in a deal worth over $1BN. We worked with them as their in-house counsel to create and manage a large patent portfolio as well as undertaking IP due diligence and successfully defending a key patent from invalidation in post grant review.
• Medical Devices Company – We started working with this client in 2006 when it was one man in a garage with a plan! Covering all aspects of their IP, we have worked with them to create over 100 patent families and there has not been one invention where we failed to get a patent. We’ve supported them through various funding rounds from Angel to VC and then finally at IPO.
• Innovative Vegan Brand - We were recently instructed to act for this exciting new brand to carry out an audit of their trade mark portfolio following significant new investment and subsequent expansion plans. At the same time we became aware of an application filed by a large, very established food brand that directly infringed one of their trade marks. Determined not to be intimidated by the size of the brand and following a rejection by the infringer to our request to withdraw their application, cease use of the trade mark and pay the client’s legal fees; we are now proceeding with an opposition and preparing proceedings to file in IPEC if it is not possible to reach an agreement through mediation or commercial negotiations.
• Entertainment Brand - We work for a leading independent record label and have been assisting them in a dispute with a well-known brand for alleged trade mark infringement and passing off of their logo. Our client’s logo, which features the same animal, has been used by them for over 30 years on its illustrious music catalogue and merchandise including a high profile fashion collection. As they have explored new merchandising opportunities, including in fashion, they have come into conflict with s brand powerhouse and its iconic marks. While much smaller, our client nevertheless has a strong trade mark case and we have worked hard with them to ensure they are not steam rollered by the larger brand. Tough negotiations are ongoing, focussing on protecting our client’s back catalogue.
• Clinical-Stage Biotechnology Company – We started working with this company when they were just five people, now over 250 strong they have raised over $150M and gone from strength to strength. Working by their side we look after all their IP needs. We’ve created a large patent portfolio, helped with due diligence and freedom to operate and have even managed to get them a US patent granted super quickly in just 28 days from first filing.
• Drinks Start-up – We’ve provided strategic advice for their trade mark strategy and helped them with trade mark protection across multiple jurisdictions. They were subsequently bought by a well-known international drinks company in 2019.
• 3D Image processing Start-up – The patents we wrote for this company were recognised as key assets when they were acquired a few years ago. We are now working with the inventor on their next venture.
• Pharma Company – We’ve worked with this client right from the very start in 2000, providing support for all aspects of their IP. From helping them build a patent portfolio with more than 40 families to due diligence for numerous funding rounds and finally IPO combined with a significant acquisition and merger.
• Computer Vision Company – We were initially engaged by a VC to undertake due diligence for their investment, impressed with our work we ended up working for them directly. The technology is on the borderline of patent eligibility, so it is tricky to succeed, but we have! They have had a number of successful funding rounds since then and we continue to work with them.