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Consumer goods and retail is a vast sector, ranging from clothing to electronics and household goods. The approach to intellectual property protection needs to be similarly varied. The strategy required to protect a large-scale, international brand across a multitude of jurisdictions may be very different to that required by a bespoke, independent retailer or producer.
The consumer goods and retail sector is particularly interesting from an intellectual property perspective as it is a focal point where multiple forms of intellectual property meet. Patents can protect the technical innovations underpinning a product to reward companies for their investment in research and development. Registered designs, which help protect the appearance of the product from being copied by competitors, are important in this sector, as unique and visually appealing product designs can be a key selling point for consumers. Trade marks are also important as the companies selling the products look to establish their space in the market and are essential for building brand recognition and loyalty among customers.
As much as these rights are important for companies to secure, it is also equally important to navigate this mixture of rights when seeking to launch a product.
The growth of the digital economy and products such as cryptocurrency, NFTs, and the “metaverse” is also of increasing importance to consumer products. As brands and their products take on a second, digital life, often in the form of content production, existing intellectual property protection must be carefully considered to determine if an alternative or additional strategy is needed for this new marketplace.
The consumer goods and retail team at Boult
Our consumer goods and retail experts deal with the full spectrum of intellectual property for clients in sub-sectors across the industry. We work with a huge variety of clients at various stages of their journey of delivering to consumers.
We can help clients to secure their own rights in all of these areas, and provide advice when competitors try to enter into areas where our clients have protection.
On the other side, we assist new entrants to a marketplace in navigating existing rights to allow them to compete without infringing the current players’ intellectual property.
In addition to our offices in the UK and Germany as well as Boult Wade, S.L. in Spain, we have developed strong relationships with local IP firms throughout the world. We are able to support international clients on global portfolios. For consumer goods the supply chain is often multi-jurisdictional and so a strong international approach can be crucial.
“In today’s highly competitive marketplace, consumer goods and retail companies that invest in IP protection are better positioned to succeed, as they can maintain their technical edge, build brand recognition, and foster customer loyalty. I enjoy working at this focal point for the various types of intellectual property and seeing our clients’ products on the shelves.”
Founded by a serial entrepreneur and award winning businesswoman, our client – a footwear company – brings biomechanically engineered sandals to thousands of comfort-seeking people around the world.
Boult works with the company on drafting and prosecuting a significant number of patent applications. We have worked with the client from the beginning of its project to create footwear, that combines fashion and biomechanics, to the present day.
We have worked extensively with this company to build a portfolio with patents in more than 40 countries. We have also advised the client on its trade mark portfolio, from the filing of a trade mark for its flagship fitness shoe, to now managing its international brand portfolio. On top of this we have filed numerous registered designs for its shoe lines around the world.
Consumer goods and retail is a vast sector, ranging from clothing to electronics and household goods. The approach to intellectual property protection needs to be similarly varied. The strategy required to protect a large-scale, international brand across a multitude of jurisdictions may be very different to that required by a bespoke, independent retailer or producer.
The consumer goods and retail sector is particularly interesting from an intellectual property perspective as it is a focal point where multiple forms of intellectual property meet. Patents can protect the technical innovations underpinning a product to reward companies for their investment in research and development. Registered designs, which help protect the appearance of the product from being copied by competitors, are important in this sector, as unique and visually appealing product designs can be a key selling point for consumers. Trade marks are also important as the companies selling the products look to establish their space in the market and are essential for building brand recognition and loyalty among customers.
As much as these rights are important for companies to secure, it is also equally important to navigate this mixture of rights when seeking to launch a product.
The growth of the digital economy and products such as cryptocurrency, NFTs, and the “metaverse” is also of increasing importance to consumer products. As brands and their products take on a second, digital life, often in the form of content production, existing intellectual property protection must be carefully considered to determine if an alternative or additional strategy is needed for this new marketplace.
The consumer goods and retail team at Boult
Our consumer goods and retail experts deal with the full spectrum of intellectual property for clients in sub-sectors across the industry. We work with a huge variety of clients at various stages of their journey of delivering to consumers.
We can help clients to secure their own rights in all of these areas, and provide advice when competitors try to enter into areas where our clients have protection.
On the other side, we assist new entrants to a marketplace in navigating existing rights to allow them to compete without infringing the current players’ intellectual property.
In addition to our offices in the UK and Germany as well as Boult Wade, S.L. in Spain, we have developed strong relationships with local IP firms throughout the world. We are able to support international clients on global portfolios. For consumer goods the supply chain is often multi-jurisdictional and so a strong international approach can be crucial.
What sets us apart
Our very highly regarded team includes a number of leading experts in their fields, with in-depth experience in a wide range of sectors and industries from healthcare and beauty to consumer technology, fashion and designer goods. We have strong teams in all of the key areas of intellectual property for consumer goods, and an excellent track record in working across teams to plan and implement a comprehensive strategy for our clients.
We work closely with our clients to provide advice and support which is tailored to our clients’ needs, to provide the best possible service to them. Our service is also scalable, designed to grow with our clients as their brands and product portfolios develop.
Whatever area of the industry you operate in, our specialist advisors in the UK, Germany and Spain will offer insight and add value. We pride ourselves on being ahead of the game.
