Keith Loven – Over 40 Years of Commercially-Grounded IP Advice at Loven Patents & Trademarks

With more than four decades as a dual-qualified Chartered Patent Attorney and Chartered Trade Mark Attorney, Keith Loven, founder of Loven Patents & Trademarks in Lincolnshire, has built a reputation for frank, business-focused IP advice that prioritises the client’s commercial interests over billable hours. In a recent conversation, Keith reflected on his career journey, the evolving needs of SME clients, and why early, honest guidance remains the cornerstone of his practice.

From chemical engineering to a lifelong IP career

Keith’s route into intellectual property was far from planned. After studying chemical engineering at the University of Birmingham, he quickly realised that a career with large oil companies held little appeal, partly, he admits with a smile, due to the “bit of a hippie thing” prevalent at the time.

A university jobs brochure changed everything. A friend pointed out an advert for a London firm of patent agents. One rejection later, a second application succeeded, and Keith found himself in a small London office wondering what he had let himself in for.

What hooked him was the blend of skills the job demanded: technical understanding (his chemical engineering background proved surprisingly broad and useful), precision with language, and an introduction to the legal world. “Chemical engineering gave me the basics of mechanical, electrical and civil engineering too,” he explains. “When an inventor starts talking, I can usually say ‘yes, I understand the fundamentals’, that builds confidence straight away.”

SME needs: the impact of Brexit and beyond

Over 40 years, Keith has watched SME requirements shift, often driven by external forces rather than changes in the businesses themselves. The creation of the European Patent system and, for a time, frictionless EU trade encouraged many smaller UK exporters to seek broader protection. Brexit reversed that trend sharply.

“For smaller clients, exporting became harder and more expensive,” Keith notes. “Many have refocused almost entirely on the UK market. It’s not been a positive development for most of them.”

Despite political and legislative upheavals, core SME needs remain constant: affordable protection that adds genuine value and, crucially, advice they can trust.

The importance of saying “don’t file”

Loven Patents & Trademarks has long been known for telling clients when not to pursue an application, advice that is rare in some quarters.

“If there’s no commercial advantage in filing a patent or registering a trade mark, I’ll say so,” Keith states. “Clients quickly learn that we’re not just trying to sell services. That honesty builds trust, some clients have stayed with me for 25 or 30 years because they know I’ll give them the advice that’s right for their business, not mine.”

Common (and costly) pitfalls

Keith regularly sees clients arrive in crisis having launched products without basic freedom-to-operate checks. A recurring theme in recent years is UK sellers sourcing goods from platforms such as Alibaba, reassured by suppliers that “everything is fine”, only to face infringement claims weeks later.

“A little research upfront saves a lot of tears later,” he says. “Naivety isn’t an excuse when cease-and-desist letters land.”

Building long-term relationships in the SME space

Transparency on costs and options is central to Keith’s approach. “I lay out the routes forward, the pros, cons and likely costs. Clients hate surprises, so we try to eliminate them.” He also pushes businesses to think strategically: where does IP fit into the broader plan? How will it add value in three or five years’ time?

Global networks built on trust

Strong relationships with overseas attorneys are vital. “You work with people you trust to do excellent work at sensible cost,” Keith explains. “Reciprocal arrangements exist, but the real value is the mutual help, a quick call to sort a problem without an immediate invoice. Some of those relationships have lasted decades.”

Patents, trade marks and the bigger picture

When a client arrives with “a great invention” that isn’t actually patentable, Keith’s role shifts to holistic strategy: registered designs, powerful branding, or sometimes just disciplined commercial execution.

“A strong brand can protect you even when technical IP can’t,” he points out. “People assume copies will flood the market the moment they launch. Often the bigger challenge is getting anyone to notice the product in the first place.”

Giving back through CIPA

Now Chair of CIPA’s Small Practice Committee and a member of its Council and Internal Governance Committee, Keith has a deeper appreciation of the profession’s representative work.

“For years I was out in Lincolnshire, getting my CPD points and little else. Becoming involved showed me everything CIPA does behind the scenes, shaping policy, supporting members, and giving [KL1] patent attorneys a voice.” His current focus is two-way communication: helping sole practitioners and small firms understand the benefits CIPA delivers while feeding their specific concerns back to the Institute.

Looking ahead: AI and the SME challenge

Asked about the next five years, Keith highlights artificial intelligence as the dominant theme.

“Large companies are already blanketing AI-related technologies with patents. SMEs will increasingly have to navigate that crowded landscape, and avoid assuming that adding ‘with AI’ suddenly makes something inventive.”

Still enjoying the craft

After more than 40 years, what keeps Keith engaged? “It’s still fun,” he laughs. “Solving tricky examination objections, finding the argument that turns a refusal into a grant, there’s real satisfaction in that. And of course the occasional ‘thank you’ when a client realises you’ve saved them time and money.”

Outside work, grandchildren, a never-ending battle with the garden, and decades of family-history research (“they’re all peasants, no aristocrats in sight”) keep him occupied.

As Keith prepares to hand over more day-to-day responsibility to the next generation at Loven Patents & Trademarks, his core philosophy remains unchanged: give honest, commercially grounded advice as early as possible, and never be afraid to tell a client when not to file. It’s an approach that has served both him and thousands of UK innovators remarkably well for over four decades.

About Loven IP

Lincolnshire-based and founder-focused, LOVEN Patents & Trademarks delivers patent strategies, trademark and design protection, and IP-portfolio management for innovators, inventors and brands across the UK and beyond. Established in 1989, the firm combines technical know-how and legal expertise to help clients lock in their inventions, designs and brand identity — ensuring ideas stay protected as the business grows. LOVEN partners with SMEs, inventors and larger organisations to craft robust IP that underpins innovation, commercialisation and long-term value.

Website- Home – Loven Patents & Trademarks

Linkedin- https://www.linkedin.com/in/keithloven/

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