Ask an Expert
What Our Customers Say...
I want to personally thank Charlie Heal , Emily Fox, Cara McAtee, and the entire team at Albright IP for their hard work, dedication, and professionalism in helping me submit my first ever patent: the Baffer Ball fire suppression system.
From the very first meeting, Charlie and Emily made everything feel clear, comfortable, and respectful. They listened carefully to my ideas, even though I’m not from a technical or legal background – I’m a painter and decorator by trade. But they believed in my vision and treated it with such care and seriousness that I felt truly supported as an inventor.
Over several months, we worked closely by email and phone. Charlie and the team guided me step by step to build one of the strongest, clearest, and most professional patent drafts I could have hoped for. The claims they wrote are powerful, and the language used shows how deeply they understood my invention. They didn’t just file a document – they helped shape a legacy.
Charlie, even though he is young, is incredibly professional and experienced. I am amazed at how he managed such a complex project with kindness, patience, and precision. Emily and Cara were also fantastic throughout.
This was not just paperwork – this was my dream since childhood. And Albright IP helped me make that dream real.
💬 I look forward to working with them again on future patents. The Baffer Ball is just the beginning – and I am proud that Albright IP was there from Day 1.
Thank you so much again — from the bottom of my heart.
— Morteza
He’s not only incredibly knowledgeable, but also warm and approachable. No question has ever felt too small, and he genuinely cares about the success of my business. I’d highly recommend Marc to anyone looking for a dedicated, trustworthy, and skilled patent attorney.
The patent was filed within weeks and had a depth of technical input from Albright that was excellent. I'm very pleased.
I have filed patents in the past but working with Albright IP was a totally different experience. I recommend them without hesitation.
Their knowledge regarding the patent process is extensive.
They have help me navigate the complex process to gain patent granted on my first design and patent pending on my second design.
I feel reassured and confident to put my designs in their hands knowing they will give the best advice based on the facts and not for their own financial gain.
Brilliant company.
Kathryn Haslam
Comfyi.
They were also very clear regarding fees, and set out a very helpful visual timeline and cost breakdown on the whole patent application process at the pre-sales stage. This emphasis on making sure I understood all aspects of the work, and having documentation to help with that, is something I didn't see with any of the other patent services I was talking to at the time. This clear communication continued throughout our interactions.
Would recommend Albright IP to anyone looking to patent an invention. The patent they filed for me was for a software invention.
No upselling for their fee either, just a fair, professional appraisal...
Thanks to Allbright, I am not spending thousands on a low hope project (when I so easily could have been).
Then end result being that we accomplished everything I wanted to in time and budget.
Highly recommend.
Need a Product Designer?
Helpful Tips
Do I have to identify the designer?
It is possible to waive the name of the designer when filing a European Community Design, but you should be sure that you have the rights to the design
GLOSSARY (S)
SEARCH
All patent applications are subject to a search procedure. This search involves establishing any evidence of disclosure of the invention before the filing (or priority) date of the patent application. Such evidence might be found in existing patents, websites, journals and books. Oral disclosures may also be taken into account depending on the jurisdiction. Similar inventions relevant to the inventive step of the new invention may also be identified and reported.
SHAPE MARK
A Shape Mark is a non-conventional Trade Mark, which is composed of shapes. The scope of Shape Marks can extend to three-dimensions. Accordingly, it is possible to register the shape of the packaging or the shape of the product itself as a Trade Mark.
SOFTWARE PATENT
In the United Kingdom and Europe, computer programs “as such” are specifically excluded from patentability. Many computer programs will also fall foul of the exclusion covering “a scheme, rule or method for performing a mental act, playing a game or doing business.” Software patents are therefore very difficult to obtain in the UK and Europe. However, it may be possible to patent a method implemented by a computer if the method itself would be patentable. A program which controlled and enabled a novel and inventive industrial process, for example, may be patentable.
SOUND MARK
A Sound Mark is a non-conventional Trade Mark, which consists exclusively of a sound or a combination of sounds. A Sound Trade Mark uses sound to uniquely identify the commercial origin of the goods or services.
SPECIFICATION
The specification includes the description of a patent, the claims, the drawings and the abstract.
SUBSTANTIVE EXAMINATION
Once a search has been carried out, an Examiner then considers the documents found in the search, also known as prior art, and gives his opinion as to whether the invention meets the requirements for patentability. It is then up to the applicant (or more precisely, the patent attorney) to skilfully argue that a patent should be granted. This occurs during the examination process, the duration of which is dependent, amongst other things, on the prior art found, the complexity of the subject matter and the responses filed.
SUFFICIENCY
In return for a limited monopoly in the invention, a patent applicant must disclose their invention in such a way that would enable a third party to work the invention. If this is not possible from reading a patent application without undue effort and skill, then the patent lacks sufficiency, and can be revoked.
SUPPLEMENTARY PROTECTION CERTIFICATE
A supplementary protection certificate is a special intellectual property right which can maintain protection for an invention for a time after a patent has expired. It is only available for certain types of invention, namely human and veterinary medicines, pesticides and herbicides. The purpose of the certificate is to provide an additional monopoly period to compensate inventors of these products for the additional investment which is required to obtain regulatory approval.
SURRENDER
The proprietor of a patent may surrender it at any time. If surrendered, one cannot sue afterwards for infringements that occurred prior to the surrender.