About Us
We are a vibrant patent and design attorney practice based at the innovative technology hub Nexus on the UHI campus in Inverness, UK. We have 30 years of experience in private practice and industry, supporting individual inventors, SMEs and global corporations.
Capella IP was founded in 2009 with the aim of providing clients with the ability to obtain, manage, and use their Intellectual Property effectively. It is our mission to develop clear IP strategies to drive stronger market positioning and business results.
Our vision is to be the most supportive, straight-talking, and approachable IP firm in Scotland. We really do want to make the world a better place, one invention at a time. That’s what gets us out of bed in the morning.
Our promise is that we will empower you to use your IP with skill and understanding for your business success, to open doors and create opportunities.
We represent clients from the UK and overseas before the UK IP Office, the European Patent Office, and the EU IP Office. We are members of the European Institute of Representatives before the European Patent Office. We are also regulated by the UK’s IP Regulation Board. We hold professional indemnity insurance with PAMIA.
Team
Dr Kate Macdonald, BSc (Hons), PhD, EPA, CPA, RPA, MInstP
Chartered UK and European Patent Attorney.
Kate advises and coaches on IP protection at all stages of development, from new ideas to long term IP strategies. Kate advises on European, UK and International patent and design protection (drafting, filing and prosecuting patents and designs) as well as on IP commercialisation and routes to market. Kate also advises on IP/R&D agreements, Freedom to Operate, IP validity and infringement analysis and IP training/awareness. She understands business needs, timescales and commercial realities, bringing effective solutions to IP issues. If you have an IP problem or just want to know more get in touch for a free, initial consultation.
Kate is a PhD Physicist and her career in IP spans 30 years, initially working in private practice advising businesses of all sizes followed by almost 7 years in-house at a global multinational corporation within the medical devices and diagnostics sector.
Kate's technical expertise includes: physical sciences, life sciences and healthcare, mechanical, electrical, electronic and telecoms engineering, oil and gas, subsea technologies, renewable energy, software, protocols and algorithms, mechanical devices and processes, manufacturing equipment and processes, web production technology and processes, medical devices and diagnostics, biosensors, neural networks, and user interfaces.
Allison Rodgers BSc (Hons)
Allison heads up our administration and accounting departments, taking care of all our patent formalities. She has a degree in Physics from the University of Newcastle, is a qualified bookkeeper, and has qualified for the Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys Certificate in Patent Administration and the European Patent Administration Certificate. Allison also heads up our renewals department.
Lisa Daines BA (Hons)
Lisa is an experienced administrator and PA with a degree in Modern History and Politics. She has many years of experience across the legal, property and cultural sectors. Lisa takes care of our administration and secretarial projects. She has qualified for the Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys Certificate in Patent Administration.
Our Broader Team
We liaise closely with selected specialists, co-operating on projects where appropriate. The team has significant multinational experience in-house with large US multinationals and in private practice.
