IP Assets

Patents

Patents are for inventions of a technical nature.  A patent may be obtained for an invention that is new or improved, a new use for an existing invention, or a novel process that can be used in industry.

Patents deal with how things work, what they do and how they do it.  Few patents are for entirely new inventions.  Most patents are for improvements in known technology.

Inventions are only patentable if they are new and have never been made public in any way. This means that an inventor must ensure absolute secrecy before the patent is applied for.

Granted patents do not guarantee that the owner can make and sell the product. Rather, the owner can stop others from making, using or selling the patented product or process for up to 20 years.

Patents, what can they offer me?

There are a number of commercial reasons for obtaining a patent:

• You get protection for a defined period, allowing you to keep competitors at bay.
• Patents can act as a sign of credibility for investors or customers.
• You can license or sell your patent and allow others to exploit it, as with any other business asset. This can provide an important source of revenue for your business.
• A granted patent may afford the opportunity to take advantage of a reduced rate in Corporation Tax.

N.J. Akers & Co and Patents

N.J. Akers & Co is experienced with assisting clients with all matters relating to patent protection and enforcement.  We actively represent clients before the UK and European patent offices obtaining granted patents, defending patents from opposition and challenging the patent rights of others.

N.J. Akers & Co offers particular expertise in the fields of oil exploration, production and refining, the bulk chemical industry, the healthcare industry and the automotive industry.

Trade Marks

Trade Marks are one of the following:

• signs
• logos
• words
• sounds

Trade Marks are often seen as the badge of a business. They act to distinguish your products and services from those of your competitors. A Trade Mark is a very powerful marketing tool as it enables customers to recognise your business for the quality of its products or services.

What additional rights do Registered Trade Marks give?

Registering a Trade Mark confers an automatic right to prevent anyone else using your mark on the goods or services for which you have it registered. A Registered Trade Mark can last indefinitely as long as the renewal fees are paid.

The Commercial advantages of having a Registered Trade Mark:

You get protection for an indefinite period, allowing you to exclusively trade on your reputation.

A Trade Mark may be a sign of credibility for potential investors or customers.

You can license or sell your Registered Trade Mark and allow others to exploit it, as with any other business asset.

You can mark your product and or product literature with the ® symbol.

Registering a trade mark can serve as a deterrent to people who might otherwise infringe it.

N.J. Akers & Co and Trade Marks:

N.J. Akers & Co represents clients before the UK Trade Mark Registry obtaining registration of marks and challenging the marks of others.

Design & Copyright

Design Rights:

A design refers to the appearance of a part or the whole of a product resulting from the features of, in particular, the lines, contours, colours, shape, texture or materials of a product.

The design may subsist both in the shape of a product and in the decoration applied to a product;

Registered Designs confer additional rights?

A granted registered design lasts for up to 25 years but does not guarantee that the owner can make and sell the product. Rather, design registration gives the owner the right to stop others from making, using or selling a similar product. This right is in addition to any unregistered design rights or copyright protection that may exist automatically in the design.

Why should I register my Design?

• Design rights give additional protection and commercial flexibility.
• They can act as a deterrent to potential copiers of your ideas.
• You can mark the product and product literature with the registered design number.
• Registered designs are valuable assets that may be licensed and sold, as part of a business.

N.J. Akers & Co and Design Rights:

We advise clients on the protection of their designs and regularly represent them in obtaining UK registered designs.

Copyright:

Copyright protection arises automatically from the creation of an artistic or literary work. Copyright allows the owner to prevent others from copying substantial portions of the protected work.