Our Research and Development Service
Who We Help
We support a wide range of clients involved in innovation and research and development projects, including:
- Technology companies and software developers
- Start-ups and scale-ups developing new products
- Established businesses investing in innovation
- Universities and research institutions
- Investors and funding partners
- Businesses entering into joint ventures or strategic collaborations
Whether you are leading a project or collaborating with third parties, we provide tailored research and development legal advice aligned to your commercial objectives.
How We Help
We provide practical, end-to-end legal support across the lifecycle of innovation projects.
Our legal advice for innovation projects includes:
- Advising on the most appropriate legal structure for your project
- Drafting and negotiating a research and development agreement
- Preparing and reviewing a collaboration agreement
- Protecting intellectual property and managing ownership rights
- Advising on confidentiality, data sharing, and regulatory compliance
- Supporting commercialisation, licensing, and go-to-market strategy
We work closely with you to ensure your agreements are clear, commercially effective, and aligned with your business goals.
We also recognise that disputes can arise at various stages of an innovation project, whether the dispute is between shareholders, relates to IP ownership, licensing terms or royalty payments or arises as part of the day-to-day operation of the project.
Our expert commercial litigation solicitors are able to provide sound strategic advice to assist you through such difficult times.
Our Legal Services for Innovation and R&D Projects
Technology and innovation projects move quickly, and business requirements often evolve.
Our team provides practical legal advice for innovation projects, ensuring your agreements keep pace with development and delivery.
We regularly advise on:
- Drafting and negotiating a research and development agreement
- Preparing and reviewing a collaboration agreement
- Structuring contracts for innovation partnerships, joint ventures, and joint development projects
- Protecting and exploiting intellectual property rights, including patent strategy
- Confidentiality and information-sharing arrangements
- Licensing and commercialisation strategies
We ensure every research and development agreement and collaboration agreement clearly defines scope, responsibilities, ownership, and risk allocation.
Where relevant, we also advise on payment structures, delivery terms, and contract management processes.
Collaboration Agreements and R&D Contracts
A well-drafted collaboration agreement is central to any successful innovation project. It sets out how parties work together, share information, and manage development outcomes.
Our solicitors ensure your agreements address:
- Roles, responsibilities, and project scope
- Ownership of existing and newly created intellectual property
- Confidentiality and use of sensitive information
- Licensing rights and royalty arrangements
- Governance, decision-making, and dispute resolution
We tailor each research and development agreement and collaboration agreement to reflect your commercial objectives, funding arrangements, and delivery timelines.
Where collaboration is structured as a joint venture or partnership, we clearly define governance, responsibilities, and contributions.
Managing Risk in Innovation Projects
Innovation projects often involve legal and commercial complexity. Our research and development legal advice helps you identify and manage risk at every stage.
Key considerations include:
- Protecting intellectual property and patent rights
- Managing confidential information and data sharing
- Ensuring appropriate contractual structures
- Defining liability, termination, and dispute processes
- Aligning agreements with regulatory and compliance requirements
Clear, well-drafted agreements reduce the risk of disputes, protect outcomes, and support successful project delivery.
Our Research and Development Expertise
We have significant experience in advising clients on all stages of R&D projects including corporate structures, confidentiality agreements, licensing, intellectual property rights protection and exploitation and production and development agreements.
Recent examples of our work in this area include:
- assisting a scientific analytical company on the acquisition of laboratory facilities and advising and negotiating the terms of a manufacturing agreement for testing kits working to extremely tight deadlines;
- advising a PPE business on going to market, putting in place shareholder protection, and ensuring that intellectual property licences are in place;
- advising a product manufacturer on the terms of an undergraduate secondment agreement for an R&D project;
- advising an entrepreneurial company on the terms of a research and development agreement for the development of a prototype product to be commoditised;
- drafting terms and conditions for the collection, transportation and testing of soil samples for possible contaminants;
- assisting an environmental science company with the extension of its UKAS accreditation.
We also recognise that disputes can arise at various stages of an innovation project whether the dispute is between shareholders, relates to IP ownership, licensing terms or royalty payments or arises as part of the day to day operation of the project. Our expert commercial litigation solicitors are able to provide sound strategic advice to assist you through such difficult times.
Innovation Projects and Collaboration Agreements Case Studies
Powering AI Retail Innovation Through Strategic SaaS Agreements
Client Intro
SeeChange is a world leader in real-time AI-powered recognition services.
SeeChange was originally a subsidiary of Arm but is now an independent entity.
Case Overview
SeeChange approached Myerson with the objective of securing expert legal support and assistance.
We supported SeeChange with the preparation of its software integration and VAR agreement for use with its international clients wishing to integrate SeeChange Software with their products, devices and services.
Further to this, SeeChange partnered with Diebold Nixdorf to deliver AI-powered self-checkout solutions as part of Diebold Nixdorf’s retail operations.
We supported SeeChange in their contract negotiations for the deployment and integration of its SeeWare® with Diebold Nixdorf’s Vynamic® Smart Vison to create smart checkouts.
Fee Earner Comment
Partner and Head of the Tech Team at Myerson, said:
Jason and Mark approached us to support their business with the preparation of terms and conditions for engaging value-added resellers and users accessing SeeChange software, services and technology, and we have worked closely with them to develop an understanding of how their solution functions and the underlying contractual relationships. The technology and partnership with Diebold Nixdorf raised many interesting points for consideration from the legal perspective but also from a personal perspective as a user of self-checkouts and how the user experience will be improved. It’s been a pleasure working with Jason and Mark.
Client Testimonial
Jason Souloglou, CEO, said:
We had a first-rate experience working with Carla on this. Selling real-time AI products and services through a large international partner such as Diebold Nixdorf is complex and detailed from a contractual perspective. Carla’s legal expertise, as well as a perfect balance of attention to detail and practicality, along with lots of patience, was key to getting this over the line.
Why Work With Our IT/Technology Team
- Myerson Solicitors' IT lawyers can provide businesses with extensive legal advice and support on a wide range of IT-related matters.
- Members of the Society for Computers & Law
- Active participants in the UK technology ecosystem
- Working with Myerson Solicitors means you'll have access to legal experts who can support and help your business stay ahead of the curve in today's ever-evolving digital landscape.
- An alternative to the major, regional, and national firms by offering high-quality Technology law advice from specialist solicitors, but on a much more cost-effective basis.
- By working closely with our IT clients, we can ensure we meet their expectations for business operations and provide clear, specialist expertise. We are easy to deal with and understand that a common-sense approach is often required.
- Extensive experience in dealing with a broad range of IT disputes, such as data protection and software development issues, giving businesses fast and helpful advice based on knowledge of their business, its history, and pressures.
- A partner-led service and a genuinely accessible team of experienced IT law solicitors due to our size, structure, and unique culture.
- Our Technology Solicitors are happy to discuss your situation in a free, no-obligation telephone consultation. We are committed to transparent pricing and will always discuss costs with you at the outset. Fixed fees and retainers may be available where appropriate.
We are trusted by founders, investors and in-house counsel who require commercially astute advice delivered with accessibility and strategic insight.
Testimonials
Chambers UK
Myerson's technology team is recognised for its strengths in commercial contracts. The lawyers advise on a variety of matters, such as software implementation, SaaS agreements and cloud migrations. The firm has noteworthy experience in regard to fintech.
Legal 500
It struck me that Myerson have a very collaborative approach, both within the firm and toward the client in order to solve the client’s needs. There were several occasions where advice was double checked or the best approach sought from colleagues within the firm giving a sense that the firm operates cohesively and is able to use its range of specialisms to good effect.’
Legal 500
An abundance of care and tact. Even when addressing potentially delicate matters, things were sensitively handled, I was kept very much in the loop and got the sense that a collective effort was made to look beyond the immediate requirements of the brief to safeguard the smooth running of affairs into the future. All of this was presently honestly, fairly and without pressure.
Legal 500
The team are very approachable, flexible and above all else they know what they are doing.
Gary Johnson - Group Managing Director, CDL
CDL and Myerson have worked together for over 10 years and in that time CDL have been fortunate to attract, court and secure many new contracts including large banking and global organisations.
Janice E. Pratt, Attention IT
Myerson Solicitors has been providing our company with legal services since 2008. They have always been exceptional to answer all my questions and help to determine what legal counsel is needed, as well as the appropriate steps to solve the issue at hand. I trust their knowledge and his abilities to take care of my issues. I would highly recommend Myerson Solicitors to anyone seeking legal counsel. I am confident in their legal expertise and the services they provide.
Tony Sampson (Finance Director), J2 Retail Ltd
J2 is a group of companies operating internationally in the IT sector. We have used Myerson as our company’s solicitors for over 10 years. During that time they have dealt with a range of legal work, including acquisitions, disposals, banking, employment, property and litigation.
Matt
As a start-up company, we needed specific advice, work and contracts drafting on key contracts. (Customer and Supplier) along with specific website and cookie policies. Myerson's completed this work on time and to a high standard. Importantly, they advised on which areas to focus on to spend time and money - very important for a start up. Every member of the team was very capable and if they did hand over, the person handover to was always fully briefed and up to speed with our account and work. Highly recommended.
Peter
Myerson deserves more than 5 stars. I am exceptionally pleased with the work done by Richard M at Myerson who worked on the Terms for my startup. Incredible depth of knowledge and amazing turnaround time. Highly recommended!
Mohammed
I worked with Richard Meehan at Myerson Solicitors to draft my company’s T&Cs. He was knowledgeable, responsive, and made the process seamless. The final agreement fit our needs perfectly, highly recommended.
Jason
Myerson created a clear, flexible VAR agreement from our complex requirements. It’s practical, easy to use, and already proven successful with a major multinational, an excellent experience.
George Ahye
Richard & Karam have been great to work with. They supported us with drafting our SaaS agreement and introduced us to other helpful professional services. They’re quick to respond, thorough and considered in their recommendations, and fair and reasonable with their billing. Thanks as well to Amanda for helping resolve some technical issues on our side. Overall, a genuinely excellent experience - highly recommended!
Meet Our Technology Solicitors
Home-grown or recruited from national, regional or City firms. Our Technology lawyers are experts in their fields and respected by their peers.
Contact Our Experts
You can contact our lawyers below if you have any more questions or want more information:
0161 941 4000
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