Feel the Beat of Innovation: Exploring Music Tech IP with Iain Russell of Russell IP

World IP Day 2025 – “IP and music: Feel the beat of IP”

Feel the Beat of Innovation: Exploring Music Tech IP with Iain Russell of Russell IP. Music is more than rhythm and melody — it’s deeply entwined with invention. From the earliest mechanical instruments to today’s AI-generated soundscapes, the intersection of music and technology is constantly evolving. And at the core of this innovation is intellectual property (IP), quietly shaping the soundtrack of our future.

This World IP Day, PatWorld sat down with Iain Russell, UK and European patent attorney and founder of Russell IP, to talk about music technology, the role of patents in creative innovation, and what it means to truly “feel the beat” of IP.

Passion Meets Profession

Iain Russell isn’t just a seasoned patent attorney — he’s also a lifelong musician and founder of DefibFest, a music-driven not-for-profit supporting public access to defibrillators. “Music’s always been there,” he says. “It’s my passion, alongside patents.”

This dual perspective gives Iain a unique lens on innovation. He combines legal expertise with hands-on musical insight, making him particularly attuned to the needs of UK-based music-tech innovators.

A Patent Perspective on Music Tech

The team at PatWorld recently analysed global patent activity in the music technology space. The findings — covering trends over the past 40 years — revealed intriguing patterns. While overall filing volumes have increased significantly, music-related filings have maintained a steady, if relatively niche, share of global innovation, accounting for around 1% of all filings.

“That might sound small,” Iain says, “but when you consider the sheer number of sectors covered by patents — from pharmaceuticals to telecoms — it’s actually quite remarkable that music tech consistently holds its ground. It’s alive and kicking.”

Though fluctuations exist, the data indicates a resilient and relevant sector. “The technology behind music is evolving rapidly,” Iain adds. “A lot of innovation has continued around musical instruments and hardware, and there is increasing growth in areas like software (for example, DAW plugins), and now generative AI.”

Surprising Innovators — and Why They Matter

One of the more unexpected findings in the PatWorld data was the presence of non-traditional music companies among the top UK-based patent filers in music tech — names not typically associated with instruments or music.

According to Iain, this may reflect how music overlaps with audio, voice recognition, UX design, and even AI platforms. “You start with questions like ‘what is music tech?’ and you realise it blurs into other sectors. Some of these filings may be classified under music, even if music isn’t the core focus.”

These cross-sector innovations highlight the value of due diligence. “For start-ups especially, resources are limited. But understanding who’s working in your space — even tangentially — can help shape a smarter IP strategy,” says Iain.

Prosecution Realities: Music vs. Finance

Another striking insight from the data was the comparison between software patent outcomes in music versus finance. In the UK, music-related software patents have consistently higher grant rates than financial software.

Why? “Music tech often involves real-world signals — audio captured by microphones, processed, and output in new ways,” Iain explains. “That tends to be seen as more ‘technical’ under UK patent law. Financial software, which some patent offices consider to be about processing more abstract data, faces a steeper challenge.”

The takeaway? Music tech is a relatively fertile ground for software-based patents as well as patents with a hardware focus — a critical insight for inventors unsure about what is patentable.

The Global Soundstage

Patent filing activity in music tech is geographically diverse, with strong representation from China, the US, Japan, Europe, and South Korea. For UK-based companies, this raises important strategic questions.

“Even if you’re just operating locally, you need to think internationally,” Iain advises. “You might not plan to sell in the US or Japan, but someone else might — and licensing or selling your IP could be a revenue stream. The key is to consider your options early.”

Emerging Themes: AI, MIDI and More

Iain is particularly interested in the evolving world of AI-generated music, but his fascination stretches back to what might be seen as the humble MIDI file — a digital representation of the ‘DNA’ of certain types of music.

“Technology lets us record, edit and produce music in ways that were unimaginable when I first started recording music in my parents’ garage 25 years ago,” he says. “With a basic setup, I can now create a full track — vocals, guitar, drums, effects — from my home. It’s endlessly creative, and patents play a part in enabling that creativity.”

As AI continues to redefine what’s possible in music, the lines between creator, instrument, and software can grow increasingly blurred — a challenge for innovators, and an opportunity for those who understand the IP landscape.

Advice for Music-Tech Innovators

For early-stage music-tech companies, Iain offers a few guiding principles:

– Know your IP toolkit: patents, trade secrets, trademarks, registered designs, and especially copyright can all play important roles in music-related ventures.

– Do your research: novelty searches, competitive analysis, and understanding prior art can significantly increase your chances of success.

– Find the right support: working with advisors who understand both tech and music helps make your case clearer to examiners and collaborators.

Above all, Iain encourages innovators not to underestimate what’s patentable: “Even in something as well-established as guitars, there are thousands of patents — pickups, strings, fretboards, you name it.”

Celebrating Music and IP — Together

World IP Day is a reminder that behind every beat, riff, and chorus, there’s innovation at work. It’s in the algorithms, the amps, the apps, the streaming platforms, and the instruments themselves.

And thanks to professionals like Iain Russell, the inventors driving this innovation have someone to help them protect it.

About Russell IP

Iain Russell is a UK and European patent attorney and founder of Russell IP, a firm dedicated to supporting tech innovators. He’s also an inventor and lifelong musician.

Learn more at www.russellip.com. Connect with Iain on LinkedIn Iain Russell | LinkedIn.

About DefibFest

DefibFest is a not-for-profit event raising money for life-saving defibrillators through the power of live music. Watch this space for more on their October 2025 event in London.

Postscript: Supporting the Beat Behind the Scenes

This article would not have been possible without the insights and expertise of Iain Russell, whose passion for music and deep understanding of intellectual property shaped every part of this story. Our thanks also go to Casey Higgon, IP Manager at PatWorld, for producing the data-led research and charts that supported the analysis.

At PatWorld, we work closely with patent attorneys and IP professionals to provide the tools and insights they need to support innovators — including those operating in the ever-evolving music technology space. Our intuitive patent search platform, combined with expert-led support and training, helps uncover competitive landscapes, track filing trends, and strengthen client strategies.

To find out how PatWorld can support your firm or in-house team, check out the links below or contact us directly on [email protected].

IP SearchesPatent DatabasePatent Searching Courses

By Sue Leslie, Digital Marketing Manager, PatWorld. Sue Leslie | LinkedIn