Approach to costs
Solicitors at Humphreys & Co. always aim to approach
legal work in a financially-disciplined way. We offer
competitive rates. Our charging approach is both transparent
and geared to the options open to our clients. Our
solicitors generally charge by reference to time spent but
we can often agree fixed fees for specific work or in some
cases risk-adjusted funding structures.
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Send us a summary of your circumstances and objectives for a quick response. |
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Infringing
By registering a design the proprietor obtains the exclusive right for 25 years (provided renewal fees are paid every 5 years) to make, offer, put on the market, import or export the design, or stock the product for the above purposes.
These rights are infringed by a third party who does any of the above with the design, for commercial gain.
How to avoid infringing
Design applicants have to provide a copy of their design. You can ask the us to check if your design would infringe an existing design. If it would infringe, you may be able to agree terms with the owner, or even buy the design from them. If you find you are infringing get professional advice quickly from a patent attorney, trade mark agent or a solicitor, because the owner can sue you.
What if someone sues you for infringing?
There are two basic types of defence if someone claims you are infringing their design:
- You are not infringing - what you are doing does not infringe their design, or
- The design is invalid - you can take legal action to challenge the validity of the design. If you win, their design may be cancelled (revoked). The loser usually has to pay the legal costs of both sides, so think hard before starting legal action.
If someone intends to sue you for infringement, you can try to reach agreement with them on using their design.
Patent Office website 19.1.07
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Accessibility
We take instructions from UK & international clients. Our independent lawyers are available by email, telephone & fax. With central Bristol offices we are just 90 minutes from London by road or rail and 15 minutes from Bristol International Airport. We can travel to meetings if required.
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Independent approach
We are an independent professional law firm here, not a legal factory turning out mass-produced products. In our experience, determined case-handling is more likely to produce effective results.
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Turnaround time
Solicitors at Humphreys & Co. look to input not only
careful legal work and precision but also the determination
to keep matters moving. They aim to work in clients' real
interests with energy and pragmatism.
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Communication skills
Solicitors at Humphreys & Co. always try to open up the
legal process by giving advice and explaining options to
clients in a concise and straightforward way, identifying
clear courses of action whatever the technical or legal
complexities of the subject. |
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