LOVEN Patent & Trademark Attorneys

22/01/2026

LAMMA isn’t just a shop window for impressive machinery. It’s a live snapshot of where agricultural innovation is heading—and, crucially, where commercial advantage is being created and defended.

Walking the NEC last week, one thing was clear:the winners weren’t just clever engineers – they were businesses building protectable value.

If you’re running an agricultural machinery, ag-tech or farming business, here are three innovations that matter—not because they’re flashy, but because of what they signal commercially.

1. Hanskamp’s “Cow Toilet”: Simple Ideas, Serious Competitive Edge

Hanskamp picked up Gold for Environmental Innovation and Bronze for Livestock & Dairy Innovation with a product that perfectly illustrates a commercial truth:

The best innovations often look obvious – once someone else has protected them.

LAMMA isn’t just a shop window for impressive machinery. It’s a live snapshot of where agricultural innovation is heading—and, crucially, where commercial

24/06/2025

We recently hosted a dynamic webinar roundtable focused on how rural businesses can future-proof themselves in an ever-evolving landscape. Our panel consisted of

Andrew Ward MBE, Director of Roy Ward (Farms) Limited

Julie Robinson, Head of Agriculture, Roythornes solicitors

Brian Knight, Owner of Knight Farm Machinery

Bernard Savage, Owner/Founder, Size 10 ½ Boots, a specialist marketing and business development agency

To catch up with what proved to be a very interesting and lively discussion, you can view a full recording of the webinar from Friday, 20th June 2025, by clicking the link below:

https://youtu.be/plS666gK9fQ

We recently hosted a dynamic webinar roundtable focused on how rural businesses can future-proof themselves in an ever-evolving landscape. Our panel consisted o

23/05/2025

Join us for an energising lunchtime webinar hosted by our intellectual property team, shining a spotlight on success stories and smart strategies from the farming and rural business world.

We’re bringing together a panel of experts who are actively embracing change — from innovation and diversification to digital transformation and protecting IP. This is about what’s working right now in a fast-evolving sector.

When: Friday 20th June, 12:00–13:00Where: Online via Teams

Why attend?This engaging session will provide real-world insights, ideas, and inspiration to help business owners in the farming and rural sector adapt and thrive.

Our expert panel includes:

Andrew Ward MBE, Director of Roy Ward (Farms) Limited

Julie Robinson, Head of Agriculture, Roythornes solicitors

Brian Knight, Owner of Knight Farm Machinery

Bernard Savage, Owner/Founder, Size 10 ½ Boots, a specialist marketing and business development agency

Expect an upbeat discussion packed with practical takeaways.

Join us for an energising lunchtime webinar hosted by our intellectual property team, shining a spotlight on success stories and smart strategies from the farmi

09/05/2025

EU design law changes started to come into effect on 1 May 2025:

- The name for design protection in the EU of “Community Design” has been changed to “European Union Design”.

- There is a new symbol to mark a registered EU design, Ⓓ, which can be used in the same way that ® is used for registered trademarks.

- The definition of ‘design’ has been broadened to include animation, movement and transition. This update ensures that animated designs are fully protected under EU law and clarifies the subject matter of design protection.

- The definition of product has also been revised, now explicitly including non-physical items such as digital creations, while retaining its broad scope for industrial or handicraft items. This means that products can now also include graphic works, logos, user interfaces and other non-physical forms.

- Features which are not visible during normal use of the product are not protectable only for component parts of complex products.

EU design law changes started to come into effect on 1 May 2025:The name for design protection in the EU of “Community Design” has been changed to “E

16/01/2025

Small companies are often put off the idea of seeking patent protection because they think patents are all about legal battles. In fact, only a very small number of patents are ever litigated; patents should really be considered as very valuable commercial tools.

Here are five reasons why:

A patent puts an obstacle in the path of your competitors, allowing you more time to recover your investment in innovation.

It can be used to reduce your company’s corporation tax bill through the Patent Box scheme.

It tells your customers that your products are special/technological.

It enhances the attractiveness of your business to investors.

A patent can earn your company royalty income if you license others to use your technology.

The costs of obtaining patent protection are generally not as high as most companies fear, and an initial consultation may not cost you anything. Call us today on 01522 801111.

Small companies are often put off the idea of seeking patent protection because they think patents are all about legal battles. In fact, only a very small numbe

22/08/2024

Many businesses now get their products manufactured in China – it can be difficult for British manufacturers to compete, and quality is often more than adequate. In many cases, products are supplied from China with the UK company’s branding applied to the product.

Many businesses now get their products manufactured in China – it can be difficult for British manufacturers to compete, and quality is often more than adequa

11/04/2024

We have had several examples over the last year of clients with existing trademark registrations that were directed to the services provided not by the client themselves, but by duly authorised businesses in a particular trade.

In some cases, the client was a trade association which allowed its members to use the marks to indicate membership of the association.

We have had several examples over the last year of clients with existing trademark registrations that were directed to the services provided not by the client t

06/11/2023

Recognising that (a) we are based in the agricultural county of Lincolnshire and (b) many of our clients are involved in aspects of agriculture and food production, we held an on-line panel event on 2nd November 2023 to discuss issues currently affecting UK agriculture.

Recognising that (a) we are based in the agricultural county of Lincolnshire and (b) many of our clients are involved in aspects of agriculture and food product

24/04/2023

If you missed it, you can now watch a recording

Wednesday, 19th April, at 2pmAI Specialists Adam Hamilton Fletcher and Richard McKenzie-Small were in conversation with Keith Loven on how they use AI in their businesses, and how AI might be applied to other businesses. They also looked at the opportunities and threats from the use of artificial intelligence or machine learning.

If you missed it, you can now watch a recordingWednesday, 19th April, at 2pmAI Specialists Adam Hamilton Fletcher and Richard McKenzie-Small were in conver

12/04/2023

Wednesday, 19th April, at 2pmAI Specialists Adam Hamilton Fletcher and Richard McKenzie-Small will be in conversation with Keith Loven on how they use AI in their businesses.

Wednesday, 19th April, at 2pmAI Specialists Adam Hamilton Fletcher and Richard McKenzie-Small will be in conversation with Keith Loven on how they use AI in the

20/01/2023

We have come across a couple of instances lately where clients have been at risk of losing their patents, trademarks and/or registered designs as a result of company reorganisations. Ownership of IP rights is something that can get overlooked when winding up one company and transferring the business to another.