Intellectual Property Articles
Expert articles and practical legal guides on intellectual property for uk businesses.
Legal Steps and Risks When Buying a Business in the UK
Buying an existing business can be a smart way to fast‑track growth. You get customers, brand recognition, suppliers and systems on day one – without starting from scratch. But a successful purchase...
11 November 2025
How To Trade Mark A Name In The UK
Your business name is often the first thing customers remember - it’s your identity, your reputation and your competitive edge. If you want to stop competitors using a confusingly similar name, the...
10 November 2025
Software Intellectual Property In The UK: What You Need To Know
If you’re building an app, a SaaS platform or custom tooling for your business, your most valuable asset is often your software intellectual property (software IP). Getting the legal protection right from...
10 November 2025
Franchising Pros And Cons In The UK
Franchising can look like a shortcut to growth - whether you’re thinking about buying into a proven brand or turning your own successful concept into a network. But it’s not a one-size-fits-all...
10 November 2025
Software Licence Agreement: What To Include In The UK
If you build, sell, distribute or use software in your business, a clear Software Licence Agreement is one of the most important contracts you’ll put in place. It sets the ground rules...
10 November 2025
How To Hire a Small Business Lawyer in the UK
Whether you’re incorporating a new venture, hiring your first employee or signing a chunky supplier agreement, there will be moments where you think: “We should probably get a lawyer to look at...
10 November 2025
How To Register A Sole Trader Business Name In The UK
If you’re about to launch a small business as a sole trader, your brand name is a big deal. It’s how customers remember you, search for you, and recommend you. But UK...
10 November 2025
UK Trademark Classes Explained
Registering a trade mark is one of the most effective ways to protect your brand. But before you file, you’ll need to decide which “trademark class” (or classes) your application should cover....
9 November 2025
Copyright vs Trade Mark In The UK: Which Do You Need?
Building a brand you’re proud of takes time, money and creativity. The last thing you want is a copycat piggybacking on your work - or, just as risky, an unexpected letter claiming...
9 November 2025
Chinese Trade Mark Register: How To Search And File In China
Expanding into China or manufacturing there? Protecting your brand on the Chinese Trade Mark Register is one of the most important steps you can take as a UK business. China is a...
9 November 2025
How To Buy A Domino’s Franchise In The UK
Thinking about buying a Domino’s franchise in the UK? It’s a proven brand with a strong delivery model, national advertising and systems that can fast-track your growth compared to starting a pizza...
9 November 2025
Can You Patent a Name in the UK? How to Protect Your Brand
If you’re building a brand, your business name is one of your most valuable assets. It’s on your shopfront, your website, your invoices - and it’s how customers recognise and recommend you....
9 November 2025
Franchising Law in the UK
Thinking about turning your successful concept into a franchise, or buying into a proven brand? Franchising can be a powerful way to expand with lower capital outlay and faster market penetration. But...
8 November 2025
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
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