A LOCAL firm of solicitors has played a key role in helping a company which has created a machine to help airline passengers avoid excess baggage charges.
Entrepreneurs Gerard and Carole Stewart, from North Tyneside, turned to TBI Solicitors when they came up with their Weigh-Ahead machine.
The husband and wife team asked the firm to protect the intellectual property rights of their invention and advise on commercial agreements with Bagport GmbH, a partner firm.
The partnership will enable Weigh-Ahead to be introduced into airports around the world.
The baggage weighing machine and fold-away bags are already in Bristol International Airport and Holiday Inn Bristol Airport.
Travellers can check if they are within the weight limit and buy a fold- away bag to take any excess.
The couple got their idea watching frustrated passengers at a check-in desk and recently won the Business Start Up category at the North Tyneside Small Business Awards.
Amanda Mitten, Intellectual Property Specialist at TBI Solicitors, said: "Weigh-Ahead is a great, but simple idea, and for this reason it was vital to maximise protection with a portfolio of intellectual property rights for the products to avoid imitations.
"Alongside patent protection, we secured design registrations and trade mark protection in the UK and Europe."
TBI Solicitors has offices in Wynyard Park, Hartlepool, Stockton and Barnard Castle.
ENDS
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