IP law

Intellectual property law, or IP law, governs a wide range of intangible rights over property and can be complicated. If you have an invention, creation or work that you want protected, you would be well advised to instruct an intellectual property lawyer. An IP lawyer can assist you by advising you which type of application you should make, helping to complete the relevant forms, advising what evidence you need to send and helping you to write an abstract about your creation.

What type of application you make will depend on what your creation is. Inventions are usually protected by patents which stop people copying the technology you have invented for a limited period. A patent lasts for five years initially, although applications to renew the patent can be made for up to twenty years.

Another type of application that can be made is for a trademark: something that distinguishes your product in the minds of a consumer. This might be a style of writing or a symbol that you wish to retain sole use of. If you do not register the trademark and your product becomes popular, you allow others to sell the product as if sold by you.

It may be that one product needs a number of different intellectual property rights applied to it and you may need an IP lawyer to advise you on which rights you should apply for.

If you would like to obtain legal advice on intellectual property law or any related issue, Contact Law can put you in touch with a local specialist intellectual property / IP lawyer free of charge. So, if you have any questions or would like our help in finding intellectual property / IP lawyers please call us on 0800 1777 162 or complete the web-form above.