Intellectual Property Articles
Expert articles and practical legal guides on intellectual property for uk businesses.
Business Agreement Template: What To Include And When To Use It
If you’re running a small business, it’s only a matter of time before someone asks you to “just send over an agreement”. Maybe it’s a new client. A supplier. A freelancer you...
4 April 2026
Can You Copyright a Computer Program Algorithm in the UK?
If your business is building software, chances are you’ve had this exact thought at some point: you’ve spent months (and a lot of budget) developing a clever algorithm, and now you want...
4 April 2026
Joint Venture Agreements In The UK: Key Terms And Common Pitfalls
Teaming up with another business can be a smart way to grow faster, enter a new market, or bring a new product to life without doing everything alone. But if you’re searching...
3 April 2026
How To Register A Brand Name In The UK: Trademarks And Legal Steps
When you’ve finally landed on the perfect brand name, it’s tempting to jump straight into building your website, ordering packaging, and launching your socials. But before you invest too much into a...
3 April 2026
Contract Drafting in the UK: Practical Tips for Startups and SMEs
When you’re running a small business or scaling a startup, your time is usually split between winning customers, delivering work, hiring, and keeping cash flow steady. Contracts can feel like “admin” compared...
3 April 2026
Buying a Restaurant in the UK: Legal Checklist for Owners
Buying a restaurant can be an exciting shortcut into the hospitality industry. You’re not starting from scratch - you’re taking over a venue that (hopefully) already has a customer base, a team,...
3 April 2026
What Is A Contractor In The UK? Business Hiring Guide
If you’re building a small business, hiring contractors can feel like the perfect middle ground: you get specialist skills, flexible support, and you don’t need to commit to a long-term hire. But...
3 April 2026
IP Contracts: Key Clauses UK Businesses Need To Protect IP
If you’re building a business, your intellectual property (IP) is often the thing that makes you different - your brand, your designs, your content, your software, your processes, and the “know-how” that...
3 April 2026
Crowdfunding Pros And Cons: UK Legal Risks And Compliance For Startups
Crowdfunding can feel like the perfect solution when you’re building a startup or growing an SME: you get funding, early customers and a bit of buzz all at once. But crowdfunding isn’t...
3 April 2026
Series A Funding: UK Legal Steps, Key Documents And Founder Pitfalls
Reaching Series A is a big milestone. It usually means you’ve proved there’s real demand for what you’re building, you’ve got early traction, and you’re ready to scale with a serious cash...
3 April 2026
Director’s Contract: What It Should Include And Why You Need One
If you run a limited company, it’s easy to assume your directors are “covered” just because they’re on Companies House and you’ve agreed things verbally. But when you’re moving fast (raising investment,...
2 April 2026
Agency Contracts In The UK: Key Terms To Include And Risks To Avoid
If you’re growing a small business, there’s a good chance you’ll eventually rely on someone else to help you win work. Maybe it’s a sales agent introducing you to customers, a representative...
2 April 2026
Who Owns the Rights to Peter Pan? Copyright and Trademarks Explained
If you’re building a product, campaign, event, or creative project around a well-known story, it’s normal to assume the “classic” ones are free to use. Peter Pan is one of those stories...
2 April 2026
How To Renew A Trademark In The UK And Stay Protected
You’ve put real time (and money) into building a brand people recognise - your name, logo, tagline, or even a product line name. Registering a trade mark is one of the best...
2 April 2026
Can You Use Internet Images Without Permission? UK Copyright Rules
If you run a small business, chances are you post on social media, update your website, send newsletters, or create ads. And at some point you’ve probably wondered whether you can use...
2 April 2026
Joint Venture Agreement: Key Clauses And How To Draft One In the UK
If you’ve found another business with the skills, contacts, or resources you need, a joint venture can be a smart way to grow faster without taking on everything alone. But joint ventures...
2 April 2026M&A Due Diligence Checklist For Buyers And Sellers
If you’re buying a business (or selling one), it’s easy to get swept up in the headline figures: price, timing, and what the “deal” will look like after completion. But the real...
2 April 2026
Need a Trade Mark? 5 Things You Need to Know (2026 Updated)
If you're building a brand in 2026, chances are you're already investing time (and money) into your name, logo, packaging, website, and marketing. But there's a common trap for growing UK businesses:...
1 April 2026What Is a Registration Mark? Registered Trademarks and Brand Protection in the UK
If you’ve ever noticed a little ® symbol next to a brand name or logo, you’ve seen a registration mark in action. For small business owners, it’s easy to assume it’s just...
1 April 2026Can You Trademark A Colour In The UK?
If you’re building a brand, colour can feel like your secret weapon. Maybe it’s the colour you use on your packaging, your website buttons, your storefront signage, or the background behind your...
1 April 2026
Modelling Contracts: Key Terms And Clauses Businesses Should Know
If your business works with models (for fashion, product shoots, e-commerce, events, fitness campaigns, brand content or influencer-style campaigns), having a proper modelling contract in place is one of the simplest ways...
1 April 2026Directors’ Agreement: When You Need One And Key Terms To Include
If you’re running a limited company, your directors are the people making the big calls - on strategy, spending, hiring, growth and risk. But here’s the thing: many small businesses appoint directors...
1 April 2026What Is A Trade Secret? (2026 Updated)
If you run a business, you probably have at least one "thing" that gives you an edge - a recipe, a process, a client list, a pricing model, or even just the way you pitch and deliver your service....
1 April 2026
What Is A Collaboration Agreement? (2026 Updated)
Collaborations can be exciting. You've got a shared vision, complementary skills, and (hopefully) a plan to build something bigger than what either of you could do alone. But when a collaboration starts...
31 March 2026
Need help with your business legals?
Speak with Sprintlaw to get practical legal support and fixed-fee options tailored to your business.