The intellectual property (IP) lawyers at leading Midlands law firm Howes Percival and the chartered patent attorneys Withers & Rogers have beaten stiff competition to win the work to protect and enhance the large IP portfolio of a major manufacturer.

The Howes Percival team, led by partner Matthew Talbot, has won the legal work to defend the IP assets of Richard Burbidge Limited, a 142-year-old business based in Shropshire which designs and manufactures interior and exterior timber products and mouldings.

Howes Percival will cover the acquisition and protection of trademarks and design rights and any litigation necessary. Withers & Rogers LLP, a leading UK firm of patent and trade mark attorneys with offices in London, Leamington Spa and Bristol, will advise on patent work.

The Richard Burbidge product portfolio runs to hundreds of items, each of which needs varying degrees of protection from copying and other design infringements. A steady stream of new products requires a variety of IP activity, including patent applications and design registration.

Josh Burbidge is head of customer and marketing services at Richard Burbidge, the firm set up by his great great grandfather in 1847. Josh Burbidge said: “We looked at a number of different firms and decided that Howes Percival and Withers & Rogers would give the best service and great value for money.

“We originate a lot of our designs and have to keep a constant eye on others in the market who are sometimes tempted to copy what we produce. It means we have to stay one step ahead and keep them in check. Defending our brand and our IP is crucial to our business being able to move forward.”

Matthew Talbot, based at Howes Percival’s Leicester office, said: “Richard Burbidge produces great designs and that design integrity needs protecting and defending. We are delighted to have won the company’s IP business and look forward to helping Richard Burbidge maintain its market leading position.”

Karl Barnfather, partner and patent attorney at Withers & Rogers LLP, said: “In the current economic climate it is even more important for companies to pay close attention to protecting their innovation. Such innovation is what gives businesses such as Richard Burbidge their competitive edge. Protecting their work effectively will enable them to hold on to market share through the downturn, while positioning the business on the front foot, ready for the upturn.”

Howes Percival and Withers & Rogers won the work after a competitive process, beating several other firms to the work including Eversheds and the incumbent HLBB Shaw.