Intellectual Property
Protect, exploit and defend your intellectual property with holistic legal advice tailored to your business goals.
We’ll help you identify the best way to protect and exploit your IP portfolio and shape the most profitable IP strategy for your business. Whatever stage you’re at – we’ll help commercialise your intellectual property so that you take full advantage of your most valuable business assets.
How we can help: Intellectual property legal advice for every stage of the IP lifecycle
Our intellectual property solicitors can support you with:
Intellectual property strategy: A comprehensive audit and strategy service.
We will not only assess your existing intellectual property assets and advise on any protection you may need, but also put your intellectual property to work. We’ll take a holistic approach, helping you identify a strategy that capitalises on your existing IP, assists you in meeting your commercial objectives, and supports international expansion.
Intellectual property disputes: Expert advice from experienced negotiators.
We’ll guide you to the right process, using methods of alternative dispute resolution to help you avoid costly disputes. When litigation has a place in that process, we’ll make full use of the Intellectual Property Enterprise Court (IPEC) and its cost-effective and streamlined procedure to get you the best possible outcome.
IP licensing: Licensing out or in, nationally and across borders to support new routes to market.
We’ll help you make efficient use of intellectual property licensing so that your IP assets become more profitable, and you can make the most of third-party innovations, drafting and negotiating IP agreements that help you reduce risk and expand into new territories.
What our clients say
We pride ourselves on delivering an excellent service for clients, but don’t just take our word for it.
Choosing Harper James was one of the best choices we made as a start-up. The firm has provided invaluable advice and insight throughout the early stages of our business.
My colleagues and I have found them to be adept at dealing with the variety of challenges facing early stage companies. They are a trusted source for sound, sensible advice and practical deal management.
Harper James have become a vital part of our business. We get quality advice from experienced solicitors at prices that other firms do not appear to be able to match.
Friendly, competent lawyers
Commitment, value for money, a handle on expenses
I was looking for intelligent, fast feedback on things I couldn’t do myself. Every step of the way, Harper James have fulfilled that promise – they’ve been so responsive. It’s run as a business, not as a law firm. Anyone who’s been near a law firm knows the difference. It’s a real pleasure.
Fast, flexible access to specialists.
Over the years Harper James have helped us navigate complex legal issues and red tape, providing distilled options and legal consultancy that far exceeds the service levels we’ve previously experienced from more traditional law firms. The team act like our own in-house counsel so, regardless of which lawyer we work with, we feel supported and that they truly have our best interests at heart.
…very efficient and helpful, especially given that it was difficult logistically with most of the directors away!
Always great to have HJ on hand
9/10 Great communication and speed
Our scale of growth would not have happened without the support of Harper James.
Knowing you have that level of legal support enables any new business to be able to move forward with more confidence. With Harper James we have that – and more.
The on-demand service we get from Harper James allows us to combine their expertise with that of our own in-house counsel. It means we can get quick and trustworthy legal advice from specialists in every legal area, as and when we need it. There are no hidden extras and the service we have received has always demonstrated an awareness of our fast-moving commercial requirements.
Amanda and Gemma were extremely accommodating at the lack of time we could dedicate to supporting the trademark applications and utilised the data we supplied to complete the applications in a speedy timeframe which was very much appreciated.
Intellectual Property Applications & Agreements: Correctly drafted, expertly negotiated, and efficiently renewed
Our intellectual property solicitors can negotiate, draft and manage the full range of intellectual property licences, agreements and documents required for effective IP exploitation.
Our intellectual property management expertise includes (but is not limited to):
Patent prosecution: Your technological developments safeguarded. |
Investing heavily in R&D? You need the right tools to protect your technological developments. Get legal advice from our patent prosecution experts who will advise you through each step of the process: application, examination, publication, opposition and registration of your patents.
Copyright: Remain compliant and successfully exploit your own creative. |
Get the legal knowledge required to avoid infringement and the means to protect your own copyright works. Our intellectual property specialists will also help you commercialise your work, using licensing or assignment of copyright to get more from your intellectual property.
Trade marks: Differentiate your brand from the rest. |
We’ll identify trade mark opportunities that will help distinguish your business. Plus, we’ll manage registration, renewal, assignment processes, and make sure any opposition, trade mark disputes or infringements that arise are handled efficiently to protect your reputation.
Design rights: Protect your aesthetic. |
Your designs are in safe hands with our team of expert IP solicitors. By putting preventative measures in place, we can help stop the competition taking advantage and advise on any enforcement or opposition if required.
Utility models: Obtain the protection you need for novel products. |
When you need to protect an invention fast, we’ll help you explore the option of utility models to keep you ahead of the curve. With the right IP legal advice, you’ll be able to police your innovations and make sure they’re sufficiently safeguarded.
Who we help: IP advice for small businesses, SMEs, start-ups, spin-outs and large companies
Whether you’re at the beginning of the IP lifecycle or you already have a considerable IP portfolio, our specialist intellectual property solicitors provide a tailored solution. We act for clients in various sectors, including:
- Information Technology
- Life sciences
- Engineering
- Healthcare
- Telecommunications
- E-commerce
- Retail
Examples of our work
Why choose our intellectual property solicitors? Our solicitors’ IP experience
We’ve guided numerous companies from start-up and scale-up through to exit, helping them create value through their innovations. Our understanding of the investment and the venture capital sector is also second-to-none. We make sure you get the best IP protection and management that fits with your long-term strategic objectives.
As High Court litigators for top 50 private practices, our lawyers have in-depth experience taking patent and trade mark cases through to the High Court and the Court of Appeal.
We’ll gladly work alongside your in-house counsel and current intellectual property solicitors or adopt a full-service approach if you prefer.
Pricing plans
Our three transparent pricing packages are designed to give you the widest possible access to high-quality legal advice, whatever the size and nature of your business:
City
Straightforward access to senior solicitors at a competitive rate.
An affordable solution for businesses needing one-off legal support. Receive ‘City’ partner-level expertise at a fraction of ‘City’ prices.
Enterprise
Have legal peace of mind for £189 per month with additional support from £99 per hour.
A monthly subscription legal support package specifically designed for start-ups and smaller businesses.
On-Demand
For businesses requiring 60+ hours of support a year, with prices equivalent to £99 per hour.
Fully account managed quarterly subscription service for businesses with more complex legal needs.
