Services

IPG's Services, across the growth-cycle of your IP

IP Greenhouse
Protect. Nurture. Grow.

Conception stage: Problem/solution scoping 

Problem scoping: Initial background research into the extent to which your idea, design, or concept addresses both a technical problem and a market requirement. This is vital, in order to avoid expensive 'speculative' patent filings and to ensure that the right problem is addressed, in a way the market is likely to 'get'. IPG can 'interrogate' the target market(s) for your technology, at the levels of existing users, existing providers and importantly, relevant standards bodies. 

Solution scoping: Research into existing & emerging solutions, being promoted by existing market 'players'. Investigating the extent to which the problem is being addressed/ignored/denied. This can be invaluable, in recognising the truly unique aspects of your solution - vital information in determining how best to draft invention records and patents, as well as how best to develop products  and/or services incorporating your ideas.

Preparation stage:  Initial patent 
drafting

Once it's been established that your idea, design, or concept addresses a real technical problem and a market requirement, and that there is a gap between your inventive idea and existing 'solutions' we can begin drafting a patent application brief. By drafting the patent application brief in light of the market investigations carried out during the Conception stage, the chances of a resulting patent application being granted can be significantly increased. 

Start-ups, SMEs and investors cannot afford to engage in 'speculative' filing. Getting the basics right at this stage is therefore crucial.

IPG will help you draft your patent application brief in a compelling, clear and market relevant way, before you need to go spending serious amounts of money on patent attorneys. The more clarity and detail that can be generated at this stage, the more affordable the next stage can be. But more importantly, the more confident you will be that what gets filed meets the needs of your business.

Protection stage: Attorney selection & briefing

Once your invention has gone through Conception and Preparation stages, and a patent application brief has been written, you're 'Attorney ready'. By using IPG, you have avoided having to spend large sums of money on the first two stages, as well as ensuring that your Patent Attorney will be well briefed.

The UK is blessed with a large array of highly professional Patent Attorney firms, from large City firms, each covering a wide range of technology specialisms, to smaller 'boutique' practices, with narrower specialisms, but whose services are typically available at lower cost. 

IPG can assist in finding the right Patent Attorney for you. The greater the clarity and detail generated during the Preparation stage, the wider and more affordable your options become at this stage.

We have engaged with and instructed a large number of Patent Attorneys worldwide over a number of years and will therefore be able to find the best 'fit' for your business.

Proliferation stage: 
When things get big

At various stages throughout the lifetime of your patent application, you will need to make some critical decisions regarding where in the world you want to acquire, or continue to maintain protection. Some of these decisions will be purely technical (such as how to respond to search reports and examination reports) and will generally be made in consultation with, and on the advice of your patent attorney. Others will be driven by commercial and strategic factors, such as where sales of products/services based on your IP are occurring, or are likely to occur, or where your competitors and potential licensees are filing their patents.

The need to pay filing, examination and renewal fees in each of the territories in which you choose to file, makes 'blanket coverage' a non-option. IPG will help you align your portfolio of filings with the needs and aspirations of your business.

This is typically also the stage at which you will be reaching-out to potential users (customers and licensees) of your technology/solution, as well as potential go-to-market partners and suppliers. The process of engagement can be both complex and time-consuming, and typically involves delicate negotiations aimed at finding the appropriate fit between technology and market need. It can also involve conversations across the 'cultural divide' between the SME/Start-up and corporate worlds. IPG has decades of experience in straddling this divide.

IP Greenhouse: Your helping hand through all four stages

Whether you are thinking of filing your first invention, or looking for help with a particular stage in its growth cycle, IPG is here to help. 

Similarly, if you have an IP portfolio which has grown to a point where managing it is taking up too much 'bandwidth' IPG can help.

Whatever aspect of your IP portfolio planning and management process requires help, contact IPG.
Contact IPG
Share by: