Innovation International recently hosted an informative session on intellectual property (IP) with Kevin Hansen, Director and Founder of Panoramix IP, a UK, European, and US intellectual property firm. The discussion focused on how innovators can create, secure, and evidence IP protection, particularly in the context of meeting the Innovator Founder Visa settlement requirements.
ILR / Settlement Criteria
For those pursuing indefinite leave to remain, applicants must satisfy both settlement criteria and success criteria. Among the six success options, the R&D and IP route has evolved significantly. The Home Office now requires businesses to demonstrate they are "engaged in significant research and development activity" and have "applied for intellectual property protection in the UK." Importantly, the emphasis is on genuine innovation and new knowledge creation, rather than simply obtaining patents for the sake of ticking boxes.
What is Intellectual Property?
Kevin explained the landscape of IP protection, covering registered rights such as patents (protecting how things work), designs (protecting appearance), and trademarks (protecting brands), as well as unregistered IP including copyright, trade secrets, and confidential information. A key development is that the Home Office now recognises an alternative pathway for innovations that cannot be easily patented. If applicants can demonstrate significant R&D activity, provide professionally reviewed research outputs, and show viable commercialization, they may satisfy the IP requirement without traditional patent protection—though some form of IP application is still strongly recommended.
Plan from the start - not at the end
The session emphasized the critical importance of planning IP strategy from day one rather than rushing to secure protection in the final months before settlement. Kevin highlighted that early engagement allows businesses to properly document their R&D journey, avoid costly mistakes such as premature public disclosure, and ensure all evidence meets the "credibility" standard that both endorsing bodies and the Home Office require. Early planning also enables companies to identify whether their innovations are protectable, explore alternatives like trade secrets when appropriate, and build comprehensive evidence over the three-year visa period.
The cost and benefit of patenting
Cost considerations were addressed transparently, with Kevin noting that a UK patent application from drafting through filing typically costs around £5,800 plus VAT, with the total cost to grant approximately £7,000 spread over three to four years. Beyond meeting visa requirements, UK patents offer substantial business benefits, including attracting investors, preventing IP theft, and qualifying for Patent Box tax relief—which can reduce corporation tax on profits from patented inventions from 25% to 10%.
Conclusion
The key takeaway from the session was clear: successful IP protection requires professional guidance, early planning, thorough documentation of R&D activities, and understanding that credibility matters more than simply having paperwork. Panoramix IP offers free initial consultations to help innovators assess their IP landscape and develop appropriate strategies for their specific circumstances, supporting businesses throughout their entire visa journey rather than just at the settlement stage.
For personalised IP guidance contact Kevin and Panoramix IP using the link below:
Richard Harrison
