Elkington + Fife

What Elkington + Fife does

Elkington + Fife is a UK-based intellectual property law firm, founded in 1927 and structured as a limited liability partnership (Elkington and Fife LLP), regulated by IPReg. The firm delivers patent, trade mark, design, supplementary protection certificate (SPC), domain name and copyright services across the UK, Europe and through a partner network globally. Core technical capability is human expertise in patent drafting, prosecution, EPO oppositions and appeals, freedom-to-operate opinions, due diligence, and representation before the Unified Patent Court; partners are described as 'familiar faces' on the EPO opposition circuit handling dozens of cases per year.

The firm's product portfolio is organised around three core service lines (Patents, Trade Marks, Designs) plus specialised modules (SPCs, UPC, portfolio management, due diligence) and an 'Other IP services' bundle covering domain names, plant variety rights, passing off and copyright. There is no proprietary software platform; delivery is performed by a team of chartered patent attorneys, chartered trade mark attorneys, counsel, associates and trainees organised into technical groups covering pharmaceuticals and life sciences, chemistry, materials science, physics and engineering, and electronics and IT.

Commercially, Elkington + Fife operates a professional services model with fee-earning partners and attorneys delivering work via flexible pricing structures including fixed-fee arrangements and ongoing portfolio mandates. Go-to-market is sales-led through direct client engagement, referrals and industry reputation; customers include blue-chip multinationals, SMEs, universities and contract research institutes. The firm holds dual offices in Sevenoaks (headquarters) and central London (Holborn), and markets itself through Legal 500 rankings, WTR1000 recognition, professional association memberships (CIPA, CITMA, ITMA, INTA, IP Inclusive) and a thought-leadership blog.

Name

Elkington + Fife

Legal name

Elkington and Fife LLP

Website

https://elkfife.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1927

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Elkington + Fife is a UK-based IP law firm (founded 1927) offering patent, trade mark, design and UPC services to blue-chip corporates, SMEs, universities and entrepreneurs across Europe through offices in Sevenoaks and London.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Intellectual Property Legal Services

NAICS

Offices of Lawyers (541110), Legal Services (5411)

SIC

Services-Legal Services (8111)

akta.pro primary industry

IP Due Diligence & Freedom-to-Operate (FTO) Analysis (BPAHAMAG)

akta.pro secondary industry

IP Compliance, Anti-Counterfeiting & Enforcement (BPAHAMAK)

Keywords

• Patent attorney services
• Trade mark protection
• Intellectual property law
• EPO oppositions appeals
• IP portfolio management

Headquarters

HQ city

Sevenoaks

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Patent Services: Comprehensive patent services including drafting, filing, prosecution, oppositions, validity and infringement opinions, freedom-to-operate opinions, due diligence, and portfolio management. Revenue generated through professional service fees, with options for fixed-fee arrangements or comprehensive ongoing service.
2. Trade Mark Services: Trade mark searching, filing, registration, opposition, cancellation proceedings, disputes, and portfolio maintenance. Services offered with flexible billing options.
3. Design Services: Design filing and prosecution services for aesthetic and technical designs in UK, European Union, and international territories.
4. Other IP Services: Additional intellectual property services including domain name registration, domain name disputes, plant variety rights, passing off, and copyright advice.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Elkington + Fife is a firm of patent and trade mark attorneys providing intellectual property legal services including patent drafting, filing and prosecution, EPO oppositions and appeals, supplementary protection certificates, freedom-to-operate opinions, due diligence, portfolio management, trade mark searching and registration, opposition and cancellation proceedings, design registration, domain name registration and disputes, plant variety rights, and Unified Patent Court advisory services. Services are delivered through partner-led engagement with attorneys specialising in pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, chemistry, materials science, electronics, IT, and engineering sectors.

Product overview

Elkington + Fife is a firm of patent and trade mark attorneys offering intellectual property services. The portfolio consists of core service lines (Patents, Trade Marks, and Designs) supported by specialized service modules and a unified approach to IP protection. The Patents service includes drafting, filing/prosecution, oppositions/appeals, validity and infringement opinions, SPCs, freedom-to-operate opinions, due diligence, and portfolio management. Trade Marks encompasses searches, filing/registration, opposition/cancellation, disputes, and portfolio maintenance. Designs covers design filing and prosecution. Additional services include domain names, plant variety rights, passing off, copyright, and UPC advisory services. The firm operates as a professional services firm rather than a software product company.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Patents Comprehensive patent services including drafting, filing, prosecution, oppositions, validity and infringement opinions, SPCs, freedom-to-operate opinions, due diligence, and portfolio management, provided to corporate, SME, and university clients across technology sectors.
• Trade Marks Trade mark services including comprehensive searches, filing and registration across UK, EU, and international registers, opposition and cancellation proceedings, dispute resolution, and portfolio maintenance for brand owners.
• Designs Registered design protection services covering the appearance of products including shape, surface decoration, and colour, with filing and prosecution in the UK, European Union, and international territories via the Hague system.
• Other IP Services Bundled IP services including passing off advice, domain name registration and disputes, plant variety rights filing and prosecution, and copyright advice including assignments, licensing, and monetisation.
• Unified Patent Court (UPC) Services Guidance on the Unified Patent Court and Unitary Patent system including opt-out decisions and representation before the UPC for clients navigating the new European patent litigation framework.

Quantifiable outcome

• Won crucial EPO opposition victory against seven opponents for pharmaceutical patent protecting $500m+ drug
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Global Network of International IP FirmscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorExtensive network of highly respected firms throughout the world used for filing patent applications outside Europe. Allows the firm to select the firm best suited to the client's technology and specific needs.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Mathys & Squire: UK-based patent and trade mark firm serving similar client segments in life sciences, chemistry, and electronics. Directly comparable in patent drafting, EPO oppositions, and trade mark portfolio management.
• Mewburn Ellis: Long-established UK patent and trade mark attorney firm with comparable technology-sector strengths in life sciences, chemistry, and engineering. Directly comparable on EPO oppositions, portfolio management, and university spin-out work.
• Carpmaels & Ransford: Boutique UK IP firm with a leading pharma/life sciences practice and elite reputation for EPO oppositions and appeals. Highly comparable on the pharma patent lifecycle, SPCs, and high-stakes opposition work that anchors Elkington + Fife's marquee engagements.
• Marks & Clerk: Largest UK-headquartered patent and trade mark attorney firm with a similar full-service IP offering across patents, trade marks, designs, and litigation support. Directly comparable in client mix (pharma, electronics, consumer products) and in EPO opposition/appeal work, but with substantially greater headcount and global office network.
• Potter Clarkson: UK patent and trade mark firm with strong specialisms in chemistry, pharma, and engineering. Closely comparable service mix including patent prosecution, opposition work, and IP portfolio management.
• HGF Limited: Major UK IP firm with deep patent and trade mark practices serving pharma, life sciences, and electronics clients. Closely comparable service portfolio (drafting, prosecution, oppositions, SPCs, UPC work) and similar reliance on sector-specialist partners.
• Boult Wade Tennant: Mid-sized UK IP firm with a similar mix of patent and trade mark services for SMEs, universities, and corporate clients. Comparable in EPC and UKIPO prosecution, oppositions, and trade mark disputes.
• Kilburn & Strode: Boutique UK patent and trade mark firm with comparable technical sector strengths (biotech, chemistry, engineering) and EPO opposition capability. Similar client profile of European and multinational corporates.
• J A Kemp: Long-established UK patent and trade mark firm with comparable technical sector coverage (life sciences, chemistry, physics, engineering). Similar partner-led model and high-quality EPO opposition practice.

Broad incumbents

• Bird & Bird: Large international law firm with a significant IP practice covering patents, trade marks, and UPC litigation. Broader full-service offering than Elkington + Fife, but overlapping on patent prosecution strategy, oppositions, and IP disputes for similar blue-chip technology and life sciences clients.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Elkington + Fife