Intellectual property

The most valuable asset of many businesses, we can help you protect and make the most of your intellectual property.

To keep up with the disruptive era we live in, businesses need to invest in new ideas and products. Cutting-edge research and creative efforts can even lead to the birth of an entirely new business.

Understandably, organisations want to see these investments protected. Intellectual property can be the competitive advantage which separates success from failure.

We can work with you to ensure your business has an effective IP strategy, you get the right protection, prevent infringers benefitting from your creation and help you fully exploit your intellectual property.

Our experience

From the beginning to the end of the IP lifecycle, we've advised on issues similar to the ones you face. Whether you need to understand the protection available, licence those rights to another business, stop infringement or understand the IP landscape you want to operate in, we can steer you on the right path.

Recent experience includes:

Managing trade marks in 135 jurisdiction for IELTS Partnership (a partnership between the British Council, University of Cambridge Local Examinations and IELTS Australia)
Enforcing Jaguar Land Rover's iconic Defender trade mark against Bombardier
Advising a multinational engineering business on allegations that it infringed a competitor's patent in the USA, carrying out prior art searches and devising a strategy for negotiations
Preventing the registration of trade marks, including the geographical indication "Basmati" for APEDA (part of the Indian government's Ministry of Commerce & Industry)
Restructuring the IP holdings of a financial services group, moving all IP into two separate holding companies (one for traditional services and one for fintech) and putting in place suitable intra-group licences

Did you know?

Leaders

Chambers guide 2019 listed us as national leaders outside London and four of our lawyers were listed as Leading Individuals.

Supreme Court

We intervened in the Warner-Lambert v Actavis Supreme Court proceedings on infringement of second medical use patents for a pharmacist.

Saving lives

We advised a client on a licence to manufacture and sell low-cost, oral AIDS tests in Sub-Saharan Africa.

What our clients say about us

The advice was really pragmatic and practical. They have a strong business acumen and their turnaround was amazing.
Chambers UK
The firm is very collaborative, very approachable and has sector expertise. It has a very organised team and is able to adapt to changing circumstances.
Chambers UK
The team is very good at distilling complexities and making them super-clear. They were organised, clear and concise.
Chambers UK
They always consider the application of the work to my business and are able to discuss matters in a language I understand.
Chambers UK
Mills & Reeve have good business acumen and specialist IP knowledge, and due to having developed long-term client relationships, they know the client's risk aversion and sensitivities.
Chambers UK
Mills & Reeve are highly knowledgeable and more than capable of navigating complex transactions.
Chambers UK
The overall level of service is fantastic with rapid response times and well-communicated dates for deliverables; the firm goes above and beyond to ensure the appropriate advice is given.
Legal 500
[Mark Pearce] is fantastic; he’s straight-talking, he understands the technology and he helps us strategise.
Client feedback
[Claire O'Brien] chases things and comes up with the answers, and is very, very knowledgeable.
Client feedback
The practice is known for 'providing practical advice and making complex issues understandable'.
Legal 500

Our clients

Our clients are as diverse as the advice we give. They include public sector organisations, universities and companies, and range from technology start-ups to multinationals. They operate in fields from high street fashion to biotechnology, and higher education to the Internet of Things.

Our lawyers

Our highly regarded team of dedicated IP specialists is committed to providing focussed, cost-effective advice by getting to know your business and understanding the sector you operate in.