Patents
Harness IP Helps Growth Company Protect Innovative Sunscreen Technology
Challenge
The firm’s client owned the patent for a unique sunscreen technology for which Harness IP also managed the rights in multiple countries around the world. With this technology in its back pocket, the company looked to the future. They set their sights on creating a first of its kind sunscreen lotion that would use only the highest quality all natural ingredients.
The stakes were enormous. The organic and all natural food boom of recent years was making its way into new corners of the market, including everything from laundry detergent to furniture to cosmetics. To be the first to market with a sunscreen lotion in the all natural personal care segment — projected to be worth $13.2 billion in 2018 — would mean locking up considerable market share.
With the formula finalized and ready to begin production, the client submitted their product for testing under the FDA’s specific Monograph System as well as the European Commission’s guidelines for UVA protection, both of which it met. They then took their commitment to quality a step further by having their new product approved by the gold standard of natural and organic cosmetic certification, the COSMOS-standard AISBL.
While many new companies are enthusiastic to move forward, they can overlook counsel for valuable protections. This regrettable occurrence happens all too frequently for new businesses with innovative technology. Fortunately, the client turned to Harness IP for expert counsel on their revolutionary product.
Solution
As a firm of trusted business advocates, Harness IP is known for having deep insight into nearly every business segment and market — and deeper insight still into the business potential of our clients. Upon learning about the client’s plans to publicly disclose their innovative sunscreen lotion, Harness IP immediately counseled them on filing for patent protection based on the product’s unique chemical compound.
The result was a collaborative plan that supported the roll-out goals of their innovative sunscreen lotion while preserving their right to file for patent protection before the application would be time-barred.
Harness IP looked to its deep bench of patent attorneys with a range of technical backgrounds. The firm was able to instantly match the client with an attorney capable of drafting a patent application involving chemical compositions.
The young company then began a Kickstarter campaign to provide pre-orders to consumers who wanted to have the very first orders of the client’s initial production. The client also planned to announce their premium retailers after the campaign concluded.
Just days after the Kickstarter campaign began, the client was able to mark its sunscreen lotion “patent pending,” assuring the global sunscreen market that their innovative product was unique, high quality, and properly vetted by outside sources.