Levelling the IP Playing Field: Spotlight on Charles Clark, Founder of IP Arkitek

Intellectual property (IP) is often perceived as a domain dominated by multinational corporations with extensive resources. Charles Clark, an internationally recognised expert in IP strategy and the founder of IP Arkitek, is determined to change this perception. With over 20 years of in-house experience across industries from precision engineering to energy, Charles has dedicated his career to helping innovative businesses use IP effectively to drive growth, secure investment, and compete globally.

We spoke with Charles to discuss his journey, insights into the evolving IP landscape, and how businesses—especially start-ups and SMEs—can create successful IP strategies.

From Lasers to IP Strategy: A Career Built on Innovation

Charles’ career began at the UK's Ministry of Defence (MOD), where he worked as a research scientist developing cutting-edge laser and optics technology for military use. Despite the excitement of advanced projects—many of which are only emerging now, 25 years later—he found himself frustrated by the slow pace of innovation and sought a fresh challenge.

This new challenge came through intellectual property. After encountering patent attorneys during his time at the MOD and receiving guidance from a family friend in the profession, Charles transitioned into IP. His career soon took him from private practice to in-house roles at global companies including Black & Decker and Edwards Vacuum, where he gained invaluable experience managing IP portfolios that directly supported business growth.

“In-house work allowed me to engage with all aspects of IP strategy, beyond just patents and trademarks,” Charles explains. “It involved aligning IP with commercial objectives, supporting acquisitions, securing investment, and creating long-term value.”

The Birth of IP Arkitek: A New Approach to IP Strategy

The idea for IP Arkitek emerged from necessity. While leading IP strategy at Centrica, Charles reached a crossroads when corporate restructuring shifted focus away from new energy ventures. Rather than accepting a role that didn’t align with his passions, he decided to chart his own path.

“I took the leap, founded IP Arkitek, and began consulting—initially with contacts from Centrica who’d moved into venture capital,” Charles recalls. “Since then, IP Arkitek has grown to support high-growth technology companies in leveraging IP for real commercial success.”

IP Arkitek differs from traditional patent attorney firms by not drafting or prosecuting patents. Instead, Charles positions himself as a strategic advisor—often serving as a fractional in-house IP lead for businesses requiring expert guidance but not yet ready to build a dedicated internal IP team.

“I don’t compete with patent attorney firms; I work closely alongside them,” Charles clarifies. “This arrangement benefits both the clients and the attorneys, as I streamline communication, freeing attorneys to focus elsewhere, while ensuring optimal IP outcomes.”

“My role involves helping businesses understand what they should do with their IP—not just what they could do,” he adds. “It’s about making strategic decisions aligned with long-term business goals.”

Levelling the Playing Field: Helping SMEs Navigate IP Challenges

One of Charles’ core missions is to level the IP playing field, enabling SMEs to compete effectively against larger, established corporations.

“Know what you have and stick to your guns,” Charles advises. “Understand the value of your innovation and how it fits into the wider industry. If you don’t, bigger players will exploit the gaps.”

A striking example involved an SME facing IP ownership issues in a government-funded project with larger corporate partners. Under initial terms, any IP generated would belong exclusively to those larger partners—threatening the SME’s future funding prospects.

“If they had accepted these terms, their potential to secure future investment would’ve been severely compromised,” Charles explains. “We educated regulators and corporate partners about why SMEs must retain ownership of their IP. It took effort, but ultimately we reached a favourable agreement protecting the SME’s interests.”

The Future of IP: Beyond Patents and Trademarks

As technology rapidly evolves, Charles believes businesses must rethink their IP approach.

“Too many leaders view IP as merely patents and trademarks—that’s overly simplistic,” he says. “IP encompasses everything from innovative business models to customer relationships. It’s crucial to distinguish between IP itself and intellectual property rights (IPR), which are the legal mechanisms for protecting that value.”

This distinction is becoming increasingly vital in areas such as artificial intelligence. As AI reshapes industries, businesses must understand how to protect their algorithms, data, and methods.

“These discussions will continue long after I retire,” Charles notes, “but companies with a strategic understanding of their IP and how best to protect it will always hold an advantage.”

Advice for Innovators: Building a Robust IP Strategy

Charles provides three key pieces of advice for start-ups and fast-growing businesses:

1. Start with the business case
“Identify your unique selling point and the IP supporting it, then build an appropriate protection strategy.”

2. Foster an IP-aware culture
“Ensure your team appreciates the value of their ideas. An engaged team proactively protects and develops IP.”

3. Plan for the long term
“Budget carefully for IP. Many start-ups mistakenly view patents as prohibitively expensive—yet with proper planning, an effective IP strategy over three to five years can prevent expensive surprises later.”

An IP Strategist with a Mission

Reflecting on his journey, Charles is proud of the path he's forged and the impact he’s had on businesses navigating IP complexities.

“I see myself as an ‘attorney in recovery,’” he jokes. “My professional background provided an essential foundation, but stepping outside traditional practice allowed me to have greater impact.”

Through IP Arkitek, Charles continues challenging traditional IP strategies, empowering innovative businesses—regardless of size—with the tools and knowledge to protect their ideas and succeed globally.

For more information about IP Arkitek, visit their website: IP Arkitek.

Connect with Charles Clark on LinkedIn: Charles Clark | LinkedIn.

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