Patents

The importance of patents as a commercial tool and business asset cannot be over-estimated. We at WP Thompson & Co are fully aware of this and are ever mindful that our advice to clients must have a commercial edge. Patents provide protection for products, processes, materials, machinery and software developments. If a new idea warrants time and money spent on research, development and marketing, such investment should always be protected and patent protection can prove particularly useful for this purpose.

Through its partners and technical assistants the firm is able to provide expertise in a wide range of technical disciplines including chemistry, electronics, all aspects of mechanical engineering and the increasingly important discipline of biotechnology.

In addition to drafting, filing and handling the prosecution of patent applications, the firm is able to provide advice and assistance in the strategic assessment of patent portfolios, due diligence investigations and patent audits. We are also able to handle litigation involving issues of patent infringement and validity, negotiation of licences and assignments.

The firm is highly regarded for its experience and expertise not only in the filing and prosecution of UK patent applications but also in relation to European applications filed under the European Patent Convention (EPC) and International applications filed under the Patent Co-operation Treaty (PCT).

In addition we have close links with a large number of overseas associates covering practically every country of the world through whom national patent applications can be pursued.

With the possibility of pursuing protection via one or more of a national application and/or a European application and/or an International application, our clients are presented with a variety of routes for seeking the geographical patent coverage they require. Our offices can readily form a focal point from which such a variety of applications can be prepared, prosecuted, coordinated and monitored.

While the various routes each have their own formal requirements and advantages, a basic outline of the filing requirements for each follows. Further and more detailed information including cost estimates, can be provided upon request: