KIRKPATRICK Intellectual Property (Patents, Trademarks and Designs)

Patents

A patent may be obtained for a technical invention which is new, inventive and susceptible of industrial application, in any type of industry, including agriculture. The invention may relate to a new product, process and/or a new use of a product. 

A patent confers a right to forbid others from making, selling, using, importing., etc…,  what is claimed therein, in the territories where you have obtained this patent, as long as you keep the patent in force.

A patent also contributes to valorizing R&D efforts, such as by generating revenues through licensing or sales of patent rights, or by attracting investors.

While you may wish to protect your innovations, you should also be careful not to infringe patent rights of third parties.

At Kirkpatrick, we work in all technical fields from  chemistry or medical devices to mechanics, industrial machines, or computer implemented inventions.  

 

How Can We Help ?

Protection

• Prior art search and study on whether or not your invention can be patented
• Setting up with you a tailor-made protection strategy that best suits your specific needs and budget
• Assistance with  preparation and drafting your patent applications, based on a thorough understanding of your business and the relevant technology
• Representing you before BPO, EPO and WIPO with respect to the various filing procedures, examination of your patent application and subsequent granting and maintenance of your patent.
• Prosecution of your patent applications in foreign jurisdictions through our network of selected associates  
• Preparing with you co-development or licensing agreements safeguarding your patent rights for the best

 

Enforcement

• Monitoring the patents of your competitors, assessing their validity and preparing a strategy
• Defence of your interests in case of oppositions
• Assisting you in cases of infringement, preparing a cease-and-desist letter and conducting negotiations

 

Strategic optimisation

• Assessing your “freedom to operate” for exploiting particular technologies or your own inventions
• Monitoring & optimizing your patent portfolio: identifying & assessing your intellectual property rights (“audit & due diligence process”)
• Negotiating and preparing agreements with different parties (non-disclosure, letter of intent, memorandum of understanding, licensing, transfer & assignment, etc.) and carrying out the subsequent registration procedures
• Conducting a thorough and regular watch to help you monitor patent activity in a certain technical field, for an in-depth knowledge of the activities of your competitors and commercial partners (“IP Watch”)
• Performing a detailed analysis of the prior art in your technical field and identifying the main trends and technical/commercial opportunities in this field so as to better support and steer your R&D (“IP landscaping”)