Frequently Asked Questions
Can I patent a supplement formula?
You can! Probably… In the right circumstances, patents can be one of the most versatile tools for protecting your inventions. If your supplement meets the following criteria:
- Novelty – the development has not been publicly disclosed, unless under the conditions of a non-disclosure agreement.
- Inventive – it is a new and innovative step forward within the industry, and not an obvious combination of pre-existing elements, as judged by an industry expert.
- Commercial – The product has a viable commercial application.
You may then be able to patent your new supplement.
Our experienced IP lawyers are able to provide guidance and assistance with the viability and processing of your patent application.
Can I trade mark my fitness brand?
You certainly can. you don’t need to have invented a new workout method or training product, if your brand is recognisable and used to indicate the level of quality you bring to the market, such as a fitness programme or workout space then you can trade mark aspects of your brand such as the name, logo and designs.
This will also allow you to license your registered intellectual property and create a sustainable and profitable business model.
Should my health and wellbeing company be concerned about GDPR?
Since its introduction in 2018, GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) has been a definitive element of how companies collect and store the data they collect. It applies to any data collected from which an individual can be identified, from contact details to browser cookies.
Breaches of GDPR can result in fines of up to €10 million or 2% of a companies global turnover (whichever is higher) for small breaches and double these figures for larger breaches.
If your organisation collects personal data there are seven principles of data protection outlined in GDPR you should be aware of: lawfulness, fairness and transparency; purpose limitation; data minimisation; accuracy; storage limitation; integrity and confidentiality (security); and accountability. The only one of these not already outlined in previous legal provisions for data protection is accountability, which requires a company be able to prove they are handling data in a GDPR compliant manner.
For help navigating your data and GDPR compliance just get in touch and our experienced IP solicitors will get back to you shortly.