Intellectual Property Law · European Union
Protect Your Invention With a Patent Lawyer Who Gets It
A patent can be the difference between owning a market and watching a competitor copy your innovation. We match you, free of charge, with a vetted patent lawyer who handles filing, strategy and disputes across Europe every day.
- Patents, utility models & strategy
- Inventors, startups & tech firms
- No fee to get matched
No commitment. No hidden fees.
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Tell us about your situation and receive a free, confidential case review.
Who this is for
If you have invented something new, a patent is how you stop others from taking it
A patent is a legal right, granted by a state or a regional office, that lets the holder exclude others from making, using or selling an invention for a limited period — typically around twenty years — in exchange for disclosing how it works. It is how inventors, engineering teams, startups and technology companies turn a technical breakthrough into a defensible commercial asset. But patents are demanding: the invention must be new, inventive and capable of industrial application, and the application must describe it precisely enough for someone skilled in the field to reproduce it. A single misstep in drafting the claims can narrow the protection you actually receive, or lose it altogether. We match you with a patent lawyer who understands your technology, can advise whether patenting is the right route at all, and can build an application or strategy that holds up.
Why inventions go unprotected
The idea may be brilliant — the protection is won or lost in the details.
Most applicants do not realise how technical it is.
Patents are won on precision: the wrong claims, a missed deadline or an early disclosure can quietly destroy years of work.
Disclosing the invention too early
In most countries, publicly revealing your invention before filing can destroy its novelty and bar a patent. A demo, a conference talk or even a published paper can ruin your chances if you do not file first.
Claims drafted too narrowly
A competitor can often design around a patent whose claims are too narrow or imprecisely worded. The value of your patent is set by how the claims are drafted, not by how impressive the underlying invention is.
Missing priority and filing deadlines
Patents run on strict, unforgiving timelines — priority periods, national phase entries and renewal fees across multiple countries. A single missed date can mean losing protection in an entire market permanently.
What you get
A patent lawyer who protects the real technical value of your work
We only match you with lawyers and attorneys who handle patent drafting, prosecution and disputes in your technical field.
Patentability assessment
Before you spend time and money, your lawyer and, where needed, a technical specialist assess whether your invention is likely to be new and inventive, and advise whether a patent is genuinely the right protection.
Careful claim drafting
Get claims and a specification drafted to capture your invention’s real inventive core — broad enough to block copycats, precise enough to survive examination and opposition.
Filing & prosecution strategy
Your lawyer plans where and when to file — national, European or international — and manages examination, office actions and deadlines, so your application moves forward without costly gaps.
Enforcement & defence
Whether someone is infringing your patent or challenging its validity, your lawyer assesses the technical and legal position and represents you in opposition, infringement or revocation proceedings.
Coverage
Patent lawyers across Europe
Patents are territorial, and while a European patent can be validated in many countries, the strategy and cost depend on where your market actually is. We match inventors and companies with patent lawyers in the following countries and beyond:
Frequently asked
Patents — common questions
What makes an invention patentable?
Generally, an invention must be new, involve an inventive step, and be capable of industrial application. It must also fall within patentable subject matter — discoveries, mathematical methods and purely mental acts are typically excluded, though the exact rules vary by country.
How long does a patent last?
In most countries a patent lasts up to twenty years from the filing date, provided the renewal fees are paid on time. Some supplementary protection is available for certain products, such as pharmaceuticals, but the standard term is the same across most of Europe.
How is a European patent different from national patents?
A European patent is a single application examined centrally that, once granted, can be validated in the countries you choose, becoming a bundle of national rights. A national patent is filed and granted in one country only. The right route depends on your markets and budget.
Do I need to keep my invention secret before filing?
Yes, in almost all cases you should avoid any public disclosure before filing, as revealing the invention can destroy its novelty and bar you from obtaining a patent. If you must discuss it, use a confidentiality agreement and take advice first.
What is a patent claim and why does it matter?
The claims define the exact legal scope of your protection — what you can stop others from doing. They are the single most important part of the application, because competitors can often design around claims that are too narrow or vague, so drafting them well is essential.
Can I patent software or a business method?
It depends on the jurisdiction and the technical character of the invention. Pure software and business methods are often excluded unless they produce a further technical effect. This is a complex and fast-changing area, so specialist advice is essential before you file.
Free case review
Your invention deserves protection before the competition catches up
Tell us what you have built and where you plan to sell it, and we will connect you with a patent lawyer who handles your technical field every day — free of charge, with no obligation to hire.