Intellectual Property

Learn the basics on protecting and exploiting your IP with guidance from our experts.

What we can do for your business:

  • Answer basic queries regarding patents, trademarks, copyright, design and licensing.
  • Help search patent and other IP databases.
  • Subject to eligibility criteria, part-fund the cost of patent filing and trademark applications or the costs of formulating licence agreements.
  • Help in formulating an IP strategy.
Apply for a UK patent

Use this service to apply for a UK patent through the Intellectual Property Office (IPO).

Design right

Design right automatically protects your design for 10 years after the design was first sold or 15 years after it was created - whichever is earliest.

Register a trade mark

Read the guide to getting a trade mark, including what you can and can’t register as a trade mark.

Register a design

You can register the look of a product you’ve designed to stop people copying or stealing it.

Patent your invention

A patent protects your invention and lets you take legal action against anyone who makes, uses, sells or imports your invention without your permission.

How copyright protects your work

Copyright protects your work and stops others from using it without your permission.