Patents

A patent is an important form of intellectual property protection, which legally acknowledges a particular creation as your own. Under a patent, exclusive rights to the product are granted to the inventor in exchange for full public disclosure on the product, how it is made and how it works. Owning a patent provides substantial legal protection and rights.

It is possible to apply for a patent through the Intellectual Property Office. Once granted, a patent gives you a 20-year exclusivity on the manufacture, sale, import or use of an invention.

The Intellectual Property Office retains the right to refuse any patent submitted on a number of grounds. Typically the IPO will take issue with a specific element of a patent application because it conflicts with a pre-existing patent or because it is too vague and indistinct.

 A legal service provider will be able to act as an intellectual property advisor, drawing up the application documents, including the synopsis, product action description and technical drawings.

It is worth considering a number of factors when choosing a legal expert to assist you with an intellectual property matter such as a patent application. As a specialist field of law, it is important that you bring in an intellectual property specialist to ensure that the process is completed smoothly and without any unforeseen problems.

Having a solicitor advise upon and put in place the necessary documentation to establish your patentt can often be done on a fixed fee basis. However, if you regularly require support in relation to intellectual property matters, hiring a legal expert on a retainer basis may be a straightforward and cost-effective option.

You should always speak to your chosen legal expert if you believe that your patent of intellectual property is being infringed, as they can provide essential knowledge and guidance. You can also reach out to the Intellectual Property Office.