UK family business Guthrie Douglas enhances shading systems industry with Lightbringer's patent solutions
Navigating the intricate landscape of patent acquisition can be daunting for any innovator. For Andrew Kitching, Managing Director of Guthrie Douglas, ensuring robust patent protection for their custom-made shading systems posed significant challenges. Here, Andrew shares how Lightbringer transformed their approach, elevating the quality and precision of their patent applications to safeguard their innovations effectively.
Can you introduce yourself and tell us about your company, Guthrie Douglas?
Andrew: My name is Andrew Kitching, and I am the Managing Director of Guthrie Douglas. We are a family business that started in 1981, specializing in technical shading systems for extraordinary spaces. Our innovations include patented solutions like spring-tension mechanisms for custom-made shading systems. Our focus has always been on creating high-quality, innovative solutions that meet the unique needs of our clients. Over the years, we’ve grown from one man’s vision to a global business with over 50 employees.
“Our innovations include patented solutions like spring-tension mechanisms for custom-made shading systems”
Can you share the challenges you faced with patent applications before using Lightbringer?
Andrew: As a family business with a strong focus on innovation, we at Guthrie Douglas have always prioritized securing patents. However, the traditional patent application process was complex in terms of both process and resource requirements, specifically time and money. We often struggled to draft our claims just right, considering three perspectives simultaneously: a business strategy perspective, an innovation perspective, and a legal perspective. The costs associated with such teamwork were frustratingly variable and often escalated beyond our initial budget.
How did Lightbringer address these challenges for your company?
Andrew: Lightbringer has been a game-changer for us.
“Lightbringer’s AI-powered patent application building process, combined with the excellent support from our assigned patent attorney Andrew, ensured that our patents were drafted with the precision and clarity needed for a high-quality application”
The platform's structured 10-step process helped us comprehensively describe our innovations, covering all necessary technical details and alternative solutions. Additionally, Andrew (our patent attorney) provided us with outstanding service and expertise. This thorough approach gave us confidence that our patent applications were robust, aligned with our business goals, met patent office requirements, and included all the essential information for overall success.
How did Lightbringer assist you in defining the right scope of your patent applications?
Andrew: Lightbringer makes sure that the uniqueness of our inventions is highlighted clearly and that the application speaks to both current and future scopes of innovation. This forward-thinking approach is vital for our business as it ensures that our patents remain relevant and protected as our products evolve.
Would you recommend Lightbringer to other innovators and businesses?
Andrew: Without a doubt. Lightbringer has transformed our approach to patent applications.
