I was asked to review a draft agreement to manufacture goods in China on behalf of his customer. As this draft seemed to expose my client to a lot of risk I advised him that it would require a lot of changes. I also advised him to draw up a corresponding agreement with his customer so that the risk could be shared. As this was a new venture I told my client about Kickstart and introduced him to John Sims. John helped him apply for a grant which funded a thorough review of the original contract and the drafting of a corresponding agreement with the customer. As with all my work, I keep it under review and update it free of charge for up to a year after delivery,

I was asked by KickStart to supply "legal advice on intellectual property" to a local web designer. Because of the breadth and vagueness of the instructions I called the designer who told me that he really wanted a review of his terms and conditions and privacy code and advice on protecting his brand. I downloaded his existing terms and privacy code and reviewed them. I simplified them and suggested a number of additional terms. I advised him on the legal protection available for brands and reviewed the options. He chose trade mark registration so I gave him a list of local patent and trade mark agents including the names of three tried and trusted practitioners.

The client had invented a safety device for training certain tradesmen in the construction industry. He had attended a patent clinic at Leeds library but was told that his invention could not be patented. The patent agent suggested design registration and I was asked to advise. I invited the client to a free half hour conference in Bradford which his wife attended. She told me she really wanted to develop a prototype but was not sure what to do. I gave her the names of two tried and trusted product design engineers - one in Harrogate and the other in Liverpool. I also advised her of her options for protecting the product including unregistered design protection which seemed to apply in her case. I confirmed that advice in writing.