Intellectual Property Articles

Expert articles and practical legal guides on intellectual property for uk businesses.

Reward-Based Crowdfunding in the UK: Legal Essentials

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
Read more
Utility Patents in the UK: Do They Exist and the Alternatives

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
Read more
How To Trademark Your Business Name in the UK

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
Read more
UK Consultancy Agreement Template: What To Include And Avoid

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
Read more
How To Register A Brand Name In The UK

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
Read more
What Is A Franchise Agreement In The UK?

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
Read more
Patent Renewals in the UK: Deadlines, Fees and Process

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
Read more
Trading Name Meaning: What 'Trading As' Means in UK Law

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
Read more
Handling Requests To ‘Get Around’ Restrictive Covenants In The UK

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
Read more
How To Franchise My Business In The UK

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
Read more
Contract Lawyer Near Me: What To Look For

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
Read more
Business Law Firms: How To Choose The Right One

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
Read more
UK Cease And Desist Letter Example: When To Send And What To Include

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
Read more
Sub-Contracting in the UK: Legal Essentials

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
Read more
Why Copyright Matters for UK Small Businesses

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
Read more
How to Choose a Business Solicitor in Birmingham

How to Choose a Business Solicitor in Birmingham

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
Read more
Legal Services For Business: What Small Business Owners Need

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
Read more
Commercial Contract Solicitors: What They Do and When to Use One

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
Read more
Commercial Solicitors in Birmingham: What You Need To Know

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
Read more
What Is a Joint Venture?

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
Read more
Corporate Lawyer Near Me: Find The Right Legal Partner

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
Read more
What Is A Group Of Companies?

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
Read more
What Is a Founder?

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
Read more
Franchise Agreements In The UK: What To Know Before You Sign

Franchise Agreements In The UK: What To Know Before You Sign

Thinking about joining a franchise network or franchising your own concept? A strong franchise can fast-track growth, provide proven systems and brand credibility, and reduce some of the guesswork that comes with...

4 November 2025
Read more
Need support?

Need help with your business legals?

Speak with Sprintlaw to get practical legal support and fixed-fee options tailored to your business.