Engineering Patents, Trade Marks, Copyright and IP Services
In the early years of Bailey Walsh, over 140 years ago, the firm specialised in IP protection relating to engineering-based technologies. Our attorneys continue to maintain these strong engineering roots with ongoing proven success in protecting inventions within all areas of engineering.
Intellectual property protection is vital in the engineering sector for safeguarding innovations, designs, and technical solutions that give companies a competitive edge. It helps prevent unauthorised use or copying of proprietary technologies, ensuring that investments in research and development translate into an advantage in the market. Typical IP measures include patents for inventions, design rights for product appearance, copyrights for technical drawings or software, and trade marks for confidential know-how, often supported by robust contracts, licensing agreements, and data security practices.
Protection Across Engineering Sectors
Aerospace
IP protection in aerospace looks at safeguarding advanced designs, materials, and control systems through patents, trade marks, and strict export-control compliance. Collaboration between manufacturers and governments often requires tailored non-disclosure agreements to prevent the loss of high-value, safety-critical innovations.
Rail
In the rail sector, we focus on rolling stock designs, signaling technology, and operational software, typically using patents and design rights alongside licensing agreements. Strong supplier contracts and secure data management help protect innovations in an industry where interoperability is critical.
Automotive
Automotive IP strategies protect proprietary drivetrain technology, autonomous systems, and in-vehicle software through patents, trademarks, and software licensing. Rapid innovation cycles make trade secrets and confidentiality agreements essential for maintaining competitive advantage.
Construction
In construction, it’s critical to protect unique architectural designs, engineering methods, and building technologies through copyrights, patents, and design rights. Contracts and NDAs with contractors and suppliers help prevent unauthorised use of proprietary plans and materials.
Working with Bailey Walsh to protect IP in the engineering sector
Our engineering team span a range of experience in disciplines, from aerospace to agriculture. Our process makes it simple to get started – get in touch today to find out more about how we can help with your intellectual property.
Engineering IP FAQs
An engineering patent protects a novel technical solution, process, or design by giving its inventor exclusive rights to use, make, and commercialise it for a set period (usually 20 years). To be granted, the invention must be new, useful, and non-obvious. This allows engineering firms to safeguard their innovations from competitors and provides leverage for licensing, partnerships, or investment.
The simple answer is yes. One of the core principles of patents is disclosure. In exchange for legal protection, the inventor must publicly share enough detail about the design or process so that a skilled professional in the field could understand and potentially replicate it. This balances private protection with the advancement of industry knowledge.
The legal principles of patents are the same across industries, but engineering patents often focus on technical processes, systems, or product designs. Unlike fields such as software, medicine, or creative arts, engineering patents frequently involve mechanical structures, electrical components, or manufacturing methods. The complexity and technical detail required in engineering filings are typically higher.
We help engineering businesses secure their innovations through a range of IP protections, including:
Patents – safeguarding new inventions, processes, or technical solutions.
Design rights – protecting the appearance, shape, or configuration of a product.
Trademarks – securing names, logos, and brands associated with engineering products or services.
Copyright – covering technical drawings, schematics, and written materials.