Agriculture Investments
A leading UK-based controlled environment farming business.
Background #
Agriculture Investments, a leading UK-based controlled environment farming business, first sought Murgitroyd’s Intellectual Property (IP) expertise in 2019, being new to the world of patents. We were privileged to be recommended by another of our agriculture clients who recognised the value of our services.
The challenge #
Agriculture Investments faced the challenge of securing extensive patent protection for their innovations, given the global interest in novel growing techniques and the locations of their competitors. They required an IP portfolio built from scratch, strategic advice and guidance around existing IP obstacles, and education for their team about the intricate and rigorous IP process.
Action #
To address these challenges, the Murgitroyd team proactively immersed themselves in the controlled environment & vertical farming sector, cultivating a deep understanding of the technology involved. Additionally, we provided targeted IP education to Agriculture Investments, ensuring the team was well-informed about the scope of protection, short and long-term cost and time implications, and strategic alignment of the proposed patent protection with their business goals.
In 2020, we filed Agriculture Investments' first patent application. We continued to keep a finger on the pulse of the technological developments over the subsequent 12 months, continuously reviewing and updating our draft of the invention specification to reflect the latest innovations. This process culminated in filing a thorough and comprehensive international (PCT) application at 12-months from the initial filing.
Following that, we assisted Agriculture Investments with pursuing patent protection in various key jurisdictions, including Australasia, North America, Japan, and Europe. Our tailored strategy not only safeguarded their innovations, but also positioned them for continued growth and success in the competitive global market of vertical farming.
Outcome #
In recent months, Agriculture Investments’ increased market share and industry confidence have drawn the attention of other vertical farming enterprises, establishing them as an innovative and IP-astute player. Strategically crafted with future-proofing in mind, their patent applications encompass all envisioned modifications, ensuring freedom to operate and deterring competitors as they scale up development.
Agriculture Investments continues to innovate and grow their business, seeking our professional advice and support as they explore new horizons in controlled environment & vertical farming and agricultural innovation.
Feedback #
Agriculture Investments praised the Murgitroyd approach to explaining complex concepts in an easily accessible format, stating:
“Murgitroyd's advice helps us focus on the most important details of our IP at any given time without getting bogged down in unnecessary information. They understand our priorities and provide valuable insights into the strategic implications of our IP route map, allowing us to make informed decisions with clarity and confidence.”
Attorneys Involved #
