Inventions, as new technical solutions, are the most important drivers of innovation and economic growth. New inventions involving inventive step and susceptible of industrial application may be patented, while the design, structure or arrangement of components of a given object may be registered as a utility model. Protection affords you, as the inventor, a monopoly over the use of the particular solution, for, without your prior consent as proprietor, no one else can manufacture or sell the invention for a period of 20 years in the case of patents and 10 years in the case of utility models from the date the initial application is filed.

In conjunction with our experienced patent attorney partners, we advise on patent and utility model matters at both national and international, European Union, levels. When it comes to a new invention or technical solution we set great store by exploring together with you all possible avenues, evaluating actual market demand and providing the necessary legal perspective to support your business decisions, bearing in mind that in certain scenarios it may prove more expedient to keep your invention secret than to disclose it for an exclusive right.

When filing your application it is advisable to check whether the given invention or solution is indeed new and does not conflict with any prior legitimate rights, as this will maximise the chances of successful registration and may reduce the risk of future infringement. We therefore collaborate with our patent attorney partners in conducting patent novelty and freedom-to-operate searches.