FAQ’s

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Where can I learn about IP?

    The UK Intellectual Property Office (UKIPO) is the official government body responsible for Intellectual Property (IP) rights in the United Kingdom. Their website covers all aspects of IP including patents, trade marks, designs and copyright.

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  • Why should I use a Chartered Patent Attorney?

    A chartered patent attorney has passed a rigorous set of professional exams on the core skills of drafting, prosecution and infringement advice for patents. A patent attorney puts these skills to use to argue your case before patent examiners and to help you navigate through the costly and time consuming process of obtaining patent protection.

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  • How do you charge for your services?

    Like many patent firms we have a variety of charges based around so-called docket fees and attorney hourly rates. However, at HLBBshaw we are different to most other patent firms, because cost control, in the sense of minimising costs, is effected prospectively by task planning, prudent task assignment, avoiding waste and organised scheduling so that work proceeds without having to extend time limits. Please contact us for more information and we will be happy to provide you with an estimate or we can provide you with a yearly patent budget around your work requirements.

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  • How will you go about it if I contact you with the idea for a patent or trade mark?

    An attorney will most likely speak to you in the first instance by telephone in order to flesh out your idea and understand your commercial requirements. The attorney will also give you an indication of costs, timescales and any problems they foresee. If you want to move forward a meeting can be arranged if necessary. In many cases such a meeting is provided free of charge if just an initial consultation is required. Other requirements can lead to chargeable work – please contact us and we will let you know.

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  • I'm not near any of your offices - does this matter?

    Not at all. There is often no need to meet face to face. We can discuss your invention or trade mark by telephone and/or email. Similarly, any documentation or models can be sent to us by post or email. Our belief is that we should work to your convenience and if that means an attorney coming to visit you, then we will endeavour to make that happen.

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  • What are your Terms of Business?

    Click here for your Terms of Business.

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  • I’m not a company, just an individual with a great invention. I’ve never patented anything before but I know from talking to other people that the cost of patenting is out of my reach. I really want to have some protection – is there an alternative?

    Our sister company PatentStart has devised an online patent protection product for people like you. It provides a basic level of protection for a relatively low price. Visit www.patent495.com for further information.

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  • I've got an idea that I'd really like to talk to someone about but I don't want to have a formal meeting - or spend any money at this stage.  Can you help?

    We provide free IP clinics at all of our offices. These are held every Wednesday afternoon between 1pm and 4pm. Although there is no need to book, we recommend that you telephone us in advance to check how busy we are.

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  • Can you give me a list of clients that you work for?

    Many of our clients like to keep these things confidential as far as possible. We do act for many universities, sole inventors, brand name UK and EP SMEs and well-known multinational corporations. Some of these names are listed on our website.

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