An IP clinic is a free consultation with a patent or trade mark attorney, barrister, solicitor or other professional specializing in intellectual property or technology law. These consultations take place once a month at a number of designated centres. 

Here are some typical questions:

"I have an idea for a new business. I know I cannot get a patent for it because it is essentially a method of doing business but can you suggest any way of protecting my idea?

"I would like to know whether my product is likely to infringe this patent. My patent attorney says it is OK but I should like your view too."

"Can you suggest terms and conditions for my new e-commerce site?"

“This seems to be an infringing copy of my work. What do you think?"

The clinic can be a gateway to a lot of resources. It is often attended by professionals other than lawyers such as patent and trade mark attorneys, patent librarians and business advisors. Also, each of the professionals attending the clinic has his or her network of connections. If a client needs a prototype or a design consultant, an introduction to a business angel or venture capitalist or some information on the local inventors' club, the advisor can usually suggest a contact.  

For a slightly tongue in cheek account of what to expect, read "Tales from the Patent Clinic" on the IP Yorkshire blog.

At present we offer IP clinics in Barnsley, Bradford, Halifax, Huddersfield, Leeds, Rotherham and York in Yorkshire and the Wirral in Merseyside..    

We hope to open IP clinics everywhere but we will try to give priority to local demand.   If there is no IP clinic in your area and you would like us to open one near you, please complete our on-line new clinic request form.

We are keen to improve our service in any way we can. If you have recently attended a clinic, please complete our feedback form.