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Intellectual Property Articles
Expert articles and practical legal guides on intellectual property for uk businesses.
TM vs ®: What’s The Difference In The UK?
If you’re building a brand, you’ve probably seen the TM and ® symbols everywhere and wondered which one you should use, and when. It’s a small detail - but getting it wrong...
8 November 2025
Reward-Based Crowdfunding in the UK: Legal Essentials
Reward-based crowdfunding can be a brilliant way for UK small businesses to raise funds, validate demand and grow a community around a product - without giving away equity. But it isn’t a...
8 November 2025
Utility Patents in the UK: Do They Exist and the Alternatives
If you’ve been researching how to protect your product or tech idea, you’ve probably come across the term “utility patent.” It’s a popular phrase online - but here’s the catch: “utility patent”...
8 November 2025
How To Trademark Your Business Name in the UK
Your business name is often the first thing customers see, search and remember. If you’re building a brand you’re proud of, it’s worth protecting - and in the UK, the way to...
8 November 2025
UK Consultancy Agreement Template: What To Include And Avoid
Bringing in a consultant can be a smart way to access specialist skills without hiring permanent staff. But before any work starts, you’ll want a clear, legally robust consultancy agreement in place...
8 November 2025
How To Register A Brand Name In The UK
Your brand name is one of your most valuable business assets. It’s how customers find you, remember you and recommend you. If you’re building a new venture or rebranding, getting brand name...
8 November 2025
What Is A Franchise Agreement In The UK?
If you’re looking to grow your brand quickly without opening every location yourself, franchising can be a powerful route. Likewise, if you want to run your own business with a proven playbook,...
8 November 2025
Patent Renewals in the UK: Deadlines, Fees and Process
If you’ve invested time and money into a patent, keeping it in force is just as important as getting it granted. Patent renewals are how you maintain your monopoly rights year after...
8 November 2025
Trading Name Meaning: What 'Trading As' Means in UK Law
Plenty of small businesses operate under a name that’s different from their legal name. You might be a company called “Smith & Co Limited” but trade as “Smith Interiors”, or a sole...
7 November 2025
Handling Requests To ‘Get Around’ Restrictive Covenants In The UK
If you run a small business, restrictive covenants are one of your key tools for protecting customer relationships, confidential information and hard‑won goodwill. But what happens when a departing employee asks you...
7 November 2025
How To Franchise My Business In The UK
Thinking “should I franchise my business?” You’re not alone. If your brand is proven, profitable and playbook-able, franchising can be a powerful way to scale across regions without opening every site yourself....
7 November 2025
Contract Lawyer Near Me: What To Look For
If you’re searching for “contract lawyer near me”, you’re probably at a point where agreements are starting to matter - you’re signing with a supplier, onboarding your first client, hiring staff or...
7 November 2025
Business Law Firms: How To Choose The Right One
Choosing the right business law firm can feel daunting when you’re growing a small business. You want clear, practical advice that protects you from day one - without unpredictable bills or legal...
7 November 2025
UK Cease And Desist Letter Example: When To Send And What To Include
If you’re facing copycats, defamatory posts, unpaid use of your content, poaching of your staff or customers, or someone harassing your team, a well‑drafted cease and desist letter can quickly stop the...
6 November 2025
Sub-Contracting in the UK: Legal Essentials
Sub-contracting can be a smart way to grow capacity, deliver specialist work, and keep overheads lean. Whether you run a creative studio, a trades business, a tech startup or a consultancy, there...
6 November 2025
Why Copyright Matters for UK Small Businesses
If you’re building a brand, publishing a website, posting on social media or commissioning designers, copyright is quietly working in the background to protect a lot of the value you’re creating. But...
5 November 2025
Business Solicitors in Birmingham: What You Need To Know
If you’re running or launching a small business in Birmingham, you’ll know the city is buzzing with opportunity. From tech startups in the Jewellery Quarter to family-run retailers in the city centre...
5 November 2025
Legal Services For Business: What Small Business Owners Need
Running a small business is exciting - but it also comes with legal responsibilities you can’t afford to overlook. The right legal services for business will keep you compliant, reduce risk and...
5 November 2025
Commercial Contract Solicitors: What They Do and When to Use One
If you run a small business, your contracts are the rails your operations run on - from how you get paid, to what happens if something goes wrong. That’s where commercial contract...
5 November 2025
Commercial Solicitors in Birmingham: What You Need To Know
If you’re running or launching a small business in Birmingham, getting the legal side right early can save you time, money and stress as you grow. From choosing the right structure to...
4 November 2025
What Is a Joint Venture?
Teaming up with another business can unlock new markets, bigger contracts and specialist know‑how you don’t have in‑house. If you’re exploring collaboration, you’ve probably asked: what is a joint venture, and is...
4 November 2025
Corporate Lawyer Near Me: Find The Right Legal Partner
Searching for a “corporate lawyer near me” usually means one of two things: you’re about to make a big decision (like bringing on an investor or hiring your first employee), or something’s...
4 November 2025
What Is A Group Of Companies?
Thinking about creating a “group of companies” to scale, protect assets or bring investors on board? You’re not alone. As small businesses grow, many owners consider a parent–subsidiary setup to separate risk,...
4 November 2025
What Is a Founder?
“Founder” is one of those words you hear all the time in startup land - but what does it actually mean in a legal sense, and how does it affect how you...
4 November 2025
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