Intellectual Property Articles
Expert articles and practical legal guides on intellectual property for uk businesses.
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 2026
M&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 2026
What 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 2026
What 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
What UK SMEs Must Include In Their Contracts (And When To Get Legal Help)
If you run a small business, you’re probably making agreements every week - with customers, suppliers, contractors, partners, venues, platforms, and more. The tricky part is that many of those “agreements” are...
31 March 2026How To Trademark Your Company Name In the UK
You’ve picked a company name, bought the domain, set up your socials, and started building real momentum. Then someone tells you to “trademark it” - and suddenly you’re wondering whether you’ve missed...
30 March 2026
How To Draft A Contract In The UK: Clear, Enforceable Agreements
If you run a small business, contracts probably show up everywhere - quoting a customer, onboarding a supplier, hiring a freelancer, or partnering with another business. And yet, “we’ll just put something...
30 March 2026
How Much Does a Worldwide Patent Cost? International Filing Fees & Options
If you’ve built something genuinely new - a product, a process, a piece of hardware, or a technical improvement - you’ll probably hit the same question most growing businesses do: How much...
30 March 2026
How To Trademark A Logo And Business Name In the UK
Your name and logo are often the first things customers remember about your business. They’re also the easiest things for competitors (or copycats) to imitate if you don’t protect them properly. If...
28 March 2026
How To Buy An Existing Business In the UK: Legal Checklist
Buying an existing business can be one of the fastest ways to grow - you’re not starting from zero, you’re stepping into an operation with customers, suppliers, systems, and (hopefully) revenue already...
28 March 2026
How To Sell Your Company In the UK: Legal Checklist
Selling a business can be one of the biggest (and most emotional) decisions you’ll make as a founder. Maybe you’ve built something valuable and you’re ready to exit, or perhaps a buyer...
27 March 2026
How To Register A Design In The UK
If you’ve spent time (and money) developing how a product looks, you’ll want to protect it before it starts gaining traction. Whether you’re launching a physical product, packaging, a new piece of...
26 March 2026Licensing vs Franchising: Key Differences For UK Businesses
If you’ve built something that works - a product, a brand, a process, or a whole business model - it’s completely normal to start thinking: “How do I grow this without doing...
25 March 2026
How To Trademark A Brand Name In The UK
When you’re building a business, your brand name can quickly become one of your most valuable assets. It’s what customers remember, what they search for, and what they recommend to others. But...
25 March 2026
Patent vs Trademark: What’s the Difference for UK Businesses?
If you’re building a new product, brand, or tech-enabled service, you’ve probably heard people throw around “patent” and “trade mark” as if they’re interchangeable. They’re not. Understanding the difference between a patent...
24 March 2026
Intellectual Property Assets: What They Are And How To Protect Them
When you’re building a small business, it’s easy to focus on the things you can physically see: stock, equipment, premises, cash in the bank. But for many UK businesses (especially service businesses,...
24 March 2026
Legal Packages for UK Startups and SMEs: What’s Included and How to Choose
If you’re building a startup or running a growing SME, you’ll probably reach a point where you think: “We need to get the legal side sorted… but where do we even start?”...
24 March 2026Essential Legal Documents UK Startups & SMEs Need To Protect Their Business
When you’re building a startup or small business, it’s easy to focus on the exciting stuff first: finding customers, improving your product, hiring your first team member, and getting your brand out...
24 March 2026
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