A person with short grey hair and glasses, smiling, wearing a red and black patterned top, against a grey gradient background.

Kate Harkness

Senior Patent Attorney

Kate Harkness is a dual-qualified patent and trade mark attorney. She specialises in drafting and prosecuting patent applications in the field of computer software and hardware, especially in Europe, the UK and the US. Kate has considerable experience in obtaining protection for computer-implemented inventions that are often considered difficult to patent.

A background in mathematics underpins Kate’s expertise in subject areas such as cryptography, signal processing, networks and communications, media streaming, blockchain, image processing, database design and data management, as well as general engineering and manufacturing.

Throughout her years in private practice, Kate has worked with a range of clients, from start-ups to multinationals. This has given her a deep understanding of different business needs and IP objectives. Kate provides focused advice aimed at building, maintaining and enforcing strong IP portfolios, always considering each client’s unique commercial requirements as well as the protection needed for both products and brands.

Kate entered the profession in 2000. She qualified in 2006 and joined Murgitroyd in 2022.

The logos of the Financial Times and Statista are shown, with the FT logo featuring black text on a cream background and the Statista logo in dark blue.Beige octagonal badge with a gold outline and navy text reading “10+ YEARS IP STARS from ManagingIP RANKED,” featuring a star in the STARS logo.WIPO Rankings logo with "Highly Recommended Firm" and "UK Patents 2025" text in a mix of dark blue, light blue, and gold colours.The word Legado500 in a large, elegant serif font with black lettering on a transparent background.Bold red "Patent Lawyer" text on a black background with a small white uppercase tagline "GLOBAL REACH, LOCAL KNOWLEDGE".Chambers and Partners logo with dark blue text on a transparent background.The logo features stylised red lines, the text "IAM" in bold black and red, and "1000" underneath, set against a plain background.Logo of DéCIDEURS MAGAZINE featuring three shooting stars inside a circle and the magazine name in bold black and red text.Gold and red emblem with "China IP Awards 2024" text, featuring ribbon banner with Chinese characters, and a circular border with inscriptions.

Sector Expertise

  • Software
  • Computer hardware
  • Artificial Intelligence (AI)
  • Networks and communications
  • Signal processing
  • Image processing
  • Mathematically-derived inventions
  • Cryptography
  • Blockchain

Kate is enjoyable and unfailingly reliable to work with, always offers proactive client guidance, and drives our collaboration with an efficient and strong work ethic.

Senior Leadership, Innovative London based Company

Kate’s unusually deep understanding of both subject matter and patent law allow her to deliver highly valuable advice in a timely manner and to the highest professional standard.

Director, Data Platform Company

Insights #

The logos of the Financial Times and Statista are shown, with the FT logo featuring black text on a cream background and the Statista logo in dark blue.
A hexagonal badge with the text "10+ YEARS IP STARS RANKED from Managing IP" in navy and gold on a cream background.
The word Legado500 in a large, elegant serif font with black lettering on a transparent background.
The IAM 300 logo features bold red and black text with a stylised red graphic element on a white background.
Three red rounded bars on the left and a large red M on the right against a black background.
A certificate with a grey background, displaying a score of 1000, awarded to Murgitroyd, recommended firm for 2025, featuring the IAM logo and bold text.
WTR 1000 logo in various shades of blue, gold, and black, with a geometric design and text on a transparent background.
The image displays the Lexology Client and Industry News logo with a pattern of dark circles and the words "LEXOLOGY" and "INDUSTRY NEWS".
A round emblem with a gold eagle and the text "IP Eagle Talents 2024", surrounded by a gold border and a red ribbon with Chinese characters.
Logo of DéCIDEURS MAGAZINE featuring three shooting stars inside a circle and the magazine name in bold black and red text.
WIPR 2024 logo highlighting Diversity, with the tagline "Influential Woman in IP" on a teal background.
The Legal Benchmarking Social Impact Awards 2024 logo features a purple circle with "LBG" and bold black text to the right.
A colourful four-petal flower logo with a dark circle in the centre, accompanied by the text "IP INCLUSIVE" and the tagline "Working for diversity and inclusion in IP".
A colourful abstract logo with interconnected circles and the text "ADAPT.legal" underneath, set against a dark grey background.
European Patent Pipeline Program logo with the acronym "EPPP" in large pink letters above the full name in smaller dark blue text.
LSA logo with green text and leaf design, accompanied by black text reading "Legal Sustainability Alliance" and "Member | 2024".
A close-up of a cybersecurity badge featuring a blue background, green check mark, and the words "Cyber Essentials Certified."
A Cyber Essentials Plus logo featuring a blue and green circular emblem with a tick mark, accompanied by the text "CYBER ESSENTIALS PLUS".
The logo features the word "oveda" with a stylised, multicoloured swoosh design and the slogan “Invested in a better future” underneath.
Green and black logo featuring a stylised globe with wavy lines and the text "United Kingdom Best Managed Companies" beside it.
WIPO Rankings logo with "Highly Recommended Firm" and "UK Patents 2025" text in a mix of dark blue, light blue, and gold colours.