PATENTS protect INVENTIONS for NEW products or processes and can cover the product itself, how it works, what it does, how it does it, what it is made of or how it works or the process itself, how it is applied or what it produces.

Phillips & Leigh are able to file and prosecute patent applications on your behalf:

Directly for
UNITED KINGDOM (GB)
EUROPEAN (EP) OR
INTERNATIONAL (PCT) applications; and

Indirectly
OVERSEAS in any country of the world that has a patent system - via our long-established network of overseas associates.

BEFORE FILING we will at least need full information (description, drawings etc) about the invention and the identity of the applicant (full name, address, nationality, country/state of incorporation).

AFTER FILING we will need the identity of the or each inventor (full name, address, nationality) and how rights in the invention passed to the applicant (this information may be needed before filing).

DOCUMENTATION
Before Direct Filing
No documents need to be executed by the applicant

Before Overseas Filing
No documents need to be executed by the applicant; save for some very obscure countries.

After Direct Filing
GB - an authorisation is not required.
EP – an authorisation is not required.
PCT - an authorisation is required from the applicant.  If the USA is to be covered an authorisation from the or each inventor is also required.  The authorisations are needed soon after filing.

After Overseas Filing
A local authorisation may be required.