Talk "How can I protect my Business Idea?"

Jane Lambert

I have been holding patent clinics around the country for many years and the most frequently asked question is "How can I protect my business idea?"

There is no easy answer because it depends on the nature of your business and the type of idea. For instance, a patent may afford the most extensive protection for a new product or process but if the costs of patenting, insuring and policing the are likely to outweigh the income likely to be generated from the invention you would be better off looking at other forms of legal protection.

It is for that reason that I am giving a talk at Barnsley Business and Innovation Centre (BBIC) entitled

How can I protect my Business Idea?

on 9 May 2017 between 12:15 and 13:15.

I will 

• introduce you to all the tools in the legal toolbox such as patents, trade secrecy, unregistered design rights, trade marks et cetera; 
• tell you the advantages and disadvantages of each type of protection; 
•  explain how to get each type of IP and how much it will cost; 
• give you some useful tips about insurance, watch services and enforcement; 
• advise you on the different types of IP professional, where to find them, how to instruct them and how much they are likely to cost; and finally,
• share a methodology for working out an IP strategy.

There is likely to be quite a lot of demand for places so call George or any of his colleagues on 020 7404 5252 to book your place as soon as possible,

Patent Box Roadshow in London

On 4 May 2013 I referred to the patent box roadshow that is trundling round the country (see "Patent Box Roadshows").. The patent box is an important tax concession that which came into force on 1 April 2013 in order to encourage innovation in this country.

On 12 July 2013 the roadshow came to the Liverpool embassy in London and I reported the event in our IP London blog (see "London Patent Box Workshop" 16 July 2013 IP London). There were three speakers, Howard Veares, tax director at BDO, Michael Sandys, head of commercial at Broudie Jackson Canter and me. You can download copies of our slides and handouts from here.

One of the strengths of our chambers is that we are not only strong in IP (see "We can now field a cricket team" 19 July 2013) but also in tax as we share space and facilities with Atlas Tax Chambers. One of the members of that set is Anne Fairpo who is an authority in IP and taxation.  Atlas and the IP Group work closely together.

I have put together the resources of our two groups on the patent box plus some links to some other useful sites in a new blog on the Patent Box. The London event was so successful that we are holding another at the Liverpool embassy on 13 Sep. This time Anne Fairpo will be the star speaker.   Tickets are likely to go like hot cakes so if you want to attend give us a call on 020 7404 5252 or complete our contact form.

Forthcoming Events - Sheffield and Carlisle

Two great events you will not want to miss.

Sheffield 5 March 2012

James Wallbank of Access Space will talk about Refab-Space which provides many of the facilities that are offered by the FabLabs around the world.   I heard James speak at Integreatplus's Learning Lunch  and he is a really inspiring speaker.

The talk takes place at Central Library, Surrey Street, Sheffield, S1 1XZ at 18:00 on 5 Match 2012.   If the talk is anything like the last one it will be standing room only.  Admission is free but you are strongly advised to book your place in advance. Call or email Lynne Hichcliffe on 0114 273 4736 to let her know you are coming.  See today's post  "Refab - a fabrication laboratory for Sheffield" in IP Yorkshire.

Carlisle, 8 March 2012

On the other side of the Pennines IP North West will present an Introduction to Intellectual Property Law to Freerange Artists in Carlisle on 8 March 2012 between 10:30 and 13:30.  Speakers include patent attorney Tom Hutchinson of Hutchinson IP and David Flint of MacRoberts one of the leading intellectual property lawyers in the United Kingdom.  As a Scottish solicitor, David can give some insight into some of the features of Scots law that differ from those of England and Wales.  He can obviously assist creative entrepreneurs  immediately to the North of Carlisle wall but he can also alert those in Cumbria and Westmorland with customers and suppliers to the North who prefer their own legal system of the pitfalls and advantages of Scots law.   I shall chair the meeting, introduce the topic generally and speak on enforcement.  Call or email Hannah Stewart on 01228 401324 for further information.

If anybody has any questions or comments, he or she can contact me through my contact form,, Facebook, Linkedin, Xing or twitter or call me on 0800 862 0055.