Posts by Vicki Strachan

A lot of time and energy (and, often, money) goes into carefully crafting your patent specification and claims. Then you file your UK patent application.  And you can get on with commercialising your innovation.  But what happens next?  Read on to find out what to expect after filing your UK patent application… It normally takes…

When it comes to protecting innovation, timing is everything—but starting the conversation early is just as critical. For innovative product development businesses, understanding how and when to approach patents and other forms of intellectual property (IP) can make a significant difference to both legal protection and commercial success. Why Timing Matters for Patents and other…

How to Use Patents to Fund Your Innovation Developing new products is expensive. Many of the costs—research, prototyping, and testing—are incurred long before you generate any revenue. But what if your intellectual property could help fund that journey? In the UK, patents don’t just protect your innovation—they can also reduce your tax bill, attract investors,…

When you’re developing a product, it is only natural that you will want to protect it, so that you can stop your competitors from muscling in on your market share.  Many people think the best/only way to do that is to have a patent. And then try to design a product specifically to try and…

Have you thought about how you’re going to stop your competitors from copying your new products or technology?  Or how you’re going to hold onto your market share as your company grows and develops? In the competitive world of tech startups, patents are often touted as a key differentiator—something that can elevate a fledgling or…

You’ve identified a problem with, or an improvement to, a consumer product used by millions.  You’ve developed your idea into a viable new product – a process ha is rarely simple and never without significant cost, both financial and effort.  You’re pretty confident that, once people see it, your product will be popular.  And popular…

Many innovators and product developers view patents as expensive or unnecessary—but are they really? The truth is, the most successful technology companies, both large and small, file patents for every major innovation. If you’ve invested time, money, and resources into developing a new product, patenting your idea can protect your investment. Without one, competitors could…

In today’s hyper-competitive and innovation-driven economy, businesses are increasingly relying on intangible assets to gain a competitive edge. Among those, intellectual property (IP)—such as patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets—plays a critical role in turning creative ideas into commercially successful ventures. But why does Intellectual Property matter to commercial success? Let’s break it down. 1.…

Why register your designs? Think about how we buy products these days.  If you’re anything like me, your buying habits will have become increasingly ‘visual’.  I will search online for something I want to buy, and the overwhelming choice available these days means that I often have to rely on visual recognition of the product…

How could your brand be globally-recognized for over a century? Be like Coca Cola ® – Use a Multi-faceted IP Strategy Can you believe that Coca Cola was originally invented in 1886 – nearly 140 years ago!!  Its inventor, Dr John Stith Pemberton, started his business by carrying a jug of the new drink to…