Using the Green Channel to accelerate a UK patent application.

AdamsonJones was able to obtain patent protection for client, LLEO Ltd, in just 15 months from the moment the Green Channel was used. This acceleration was crucial as intellectual property was key to securing funding and investment for their Axomap technology.

The Green Channel for patent applications is available to UK and overseas applicants for inventions that have an environmental benefit.

LLEO Ltd Founder & managing director, Keith Geary, created the concept of Low Level Earth Observation, which uses electrically powered micro drones to survey large areas.

The Axomap patent relates to a new technique that enables the grading of crops before harvesting. This technique uses high resolution imagery collected by drones to map and monitor crops, such as potato crops, from emergence through to senescence (biological deterioration).

AdamsonJones was able to show that the use of Axomap technology would help reduce crop wastage as well as reduce the amount of chemicals used to suppress growth and sprouting in storage. The patent was granted in February 2019, taking 18 months in total and just 15 months from requesting use of the Green Channel. A standard patent application can take as long as 8 years.

Intellectual property has been key for LLEO when approaching potential investors for venture capital and applying for grants in relation to Axomap.

LLEO Limited obtained funding in 2018 via a grant from Innovate UK to form a partnership with the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) Crop Storage and Research Centre at Sutton Bridge, receiving 100% funding in order to conduct field trials and periodical assessments of the harvested potato tubers during storage to validate the Axomap concept. The total value of the grant award was £65,000 with £43,000 being allocated to LLEO Limited.