Dr Tom Olbrich European Patent Attorney at Murgitroyd a global firm of European patent attorneys and trade mark attorneys shares how good communication led to business success.
Dr Tom Olbrich, who is based at Murgitroyd’s Newcastle upon Tyne office, isn’t your typical patent attorney; in his native Germany he spent a few years in the special military forces, where he competed in athletics and bobsleigh before going on to achieve a number of degrees. This has enabled him to specialise in a range of subject matters from electrical engineering and physics (particularly computer-related subject matter), medical devices, sports equipment, semiconductors and power tools.
In his experience, he’s best placed to advise a client if he gets to know the company and the products. It’s an approach that’s followed by the attorneys at Murgitroyd who offer regular complimentary meetings to understand new developments with the client, what they are working on and get to grips with any queries they may have.
These sessions are mutually beneficial and in the case of one client led to a successful and key portfolio patent
inov-8, the all-terrain footwear, apparel equipment specialist, had teamed up with The University of Manchester to become the first-ever company to incorporate graphene into running and fitness shoes.
Tom reflects: “The client dropped into conversation about the work they were doing with The University of Manchester on the use of graphene. I instantly knew that this was something they needed to protect, but it wasn’t something that they had yet considered.”
James McKay, Product Director at inov-8 comments: “Product innovation is a number-one priority at inov-8. It’s what enables us to compete against major sports brands. And Tom understands this and takes the time to get to know us and our products.”
Tom echoes this and adds: “In our regular meetings we often discuss ideas and I can provide guidance on what they should and can protect and what they can’t. My well rounded experience means I can also offer a technical perspective of will it even work’.”
James says: “I can talk to Tom freely about all parts of the business and use him as an impartial soundboard at times. It’s one of the key reasons we’ve continued to be a client for the past six years.”
Graphene, despite being the thinnest material in the world, is also the strongest and is 200 times stronger than steel. It’s also extraordinarily flexible, and can be bent, twisted, folded and stretched without incurring any damage.
When added to the rubber used in inov-8’s G-Series shoes, graphene imparts all of its properties, including its strength. A unique formulation makes these outsoles 50% stronger, 50% more stretchy and 50% more resistant to wear than the corresponding industry standard rubber without graphene. The graphene-enhanced rubber can flex and grip to all surfaces more effectively, without wearing down quickly, providing reliably strong, long-lasting grip.
The patent was filed at the end of 2017 and inov-8’s graphene-enhanced footwear, which was launched in June, has received great praise by the BBC and Runner’s World. Murgitroyd is a global firm of European patent attorneys and trade mark attorneys. Its Newcastle office specialises in IP advice and support for the mechanical, physical science, electronics and engineering, charities, creative, media and entertainment sectors.
If you would like to discuss protecting your IP more information can be found at www.murgitroyd.com or you can request a meeting with one of our patent and trade mark attorneys on +44 (0) 191 211 3550.
