With the explosion of manufacturing capabilities and international trade, innovators in consumer products quickly find copycats on the market. This can not only detract from sales of the innovator, but can dilute their reputation in the market. FPA can support you to develop an effective and adaptable patent or design portfolio that allows you to cost-effectively protect your products and respond swiftly to competitor infringements.
At FPA, we support local designers and manufacturers of a range of consumer goods, including appliances, clothing, footwear and sporting accessories. We also act for many multinational manufacturers, from mobile phones to whitegoods.
Our technical range of expertise includes:
- Consumer electronics
- Kitchen appliances
- Clothing, footwear and fashion accessories
- Sporting equipment and accessories
- Whitegoods
- Toys
- Shop fittings
- Furniture
- Packaging
- Tapware and accessories
- Architectural fittings and lighting
Our expertise in action
Our client, who is a worldwide trend setter in their market segment, had a problem. Their new product range was unlike anything anyone had seen before, and was sure to attract attention when it was launched at a trade show. The nature of the product was such that it had hundreds of potential variations that might be copied and protection of all variations was not viable – what is worse, the client could not predict which of the variants would be a hit.
We assisted this client by developing an innovative filing strategy that leveraged the international filing process to secure early protection but also maintain flexibility until they could test market perceptions of the new range. We even assisted them to attract grant funding for part of their product development.
