Mark Houghton

Mark Houghton is a Patent Attorney specialising in intellectual property law. He helps commercial clients identify, protect and exploit valuable intellectual property assets, including patents, trade marks and registered designs. His approach is firmly grounded in commercial reality, helping clients use intellectual property not simply as a legal right, but as a practical business tool that protects innovation, strengthens market position and creates commercial value.

Having worked in industry and run his own business, Mark understands that intellectual property must deliver practical commercial value. He helps clients protect their innovations, brands and product developments while ensuring their intellectual property supports wider business objectives.

A distinctive feature of Mark’s practice is the combination of legal expertise and significant commercial experience. Before working in intellectual property law, he spent several years in industry in management roles and also ran his own business. As a result, he understands first-hand the commercial pressures, practical challenges and strategic decisions faced by business owners and management teams. This experience allows him to provide pragmatic, commercially focused advice that reflects the realities of operating a business rather than focusing solely on legal theory.

Mark’s background includes experience in researching, developing and bringing products from initial concept through to commercialisation. Combined with his legal knowledge, this gives him a strong understanding of the innovation lifecycle and enables him to advise clients on protecting intellectual property at every stage of product development. He works closely with a team of qualified paralegals to guide clients through the often complex requirements of intellectual property law and registration processes.

His work regularly includes:

• Advising and representing clients facing allegations of patent or trade mark infringement.
• Protecting business names, brands, logos and product identities through trade mark applications and portfolio management.
• Advising on product naming and company branding strategies.
• Assisting clients with enforcing patent, trade mark and design rights against infringers.
• Identifying, protecting and developing intellectual property arising from new products and innovations.

Mark holds both legal and technical qualifications and is a European Patent Attorney and Chartered UK Patent Attorney. He also holds a PhD together with undergraduate and postgraduate qualifications in relevant technical disciplines.

His professional accreditations include Chartered Scientist, Chartered Chemist and European Chemist status, and he is a Member of the Royal Society of Chemistry. He is also an Arizona Microchip approved Design Partner. Mark has rights of representation before the Intellectual Property Enterprise Court and the European Patent Office.

Throughout his career, Mark has represented clients in a wide range of intellectual property disputes. While he strongly favours resolving issues without court proceedings wherever possible, he is experienced in supporting clients through contentious matters when litigation becomes necessary. His focus remains on achieving commercially sensible outcomes while protecting clients’ intellectual property rights and business interests.