Weigh-Ahead, based in North Tyneside, and the brainchild of husband and wife team Gerard and Carole Stewart, also turned to TBI Solicitors for advice on commercial agreements with a partner firm, Bagport GmbH. This partnership will enable Weigh-Ahead to be introduced into airports around the world.

Weigh-Ahead designed and manufactures a baggage weighing machine and innovative fold away bags which are already being used in Bristol International Airport and Holiday Inn Bristol Airport. It allows travellers to check that they are within the baggage allowance for the airline. In the event of being ‘over-weight', travellers can buy fold away hand luggage bags which can be used to carry the excess weight.

They have gained further recognition by recently winning the Business Start Up category at the North Tyneside Small Business Awards. Carole and Gerard Stewart came up with the idea of Weigh-Ahead after witnessing travellers' frustration at the check-in desk, and the delays caused by over-weight baggage. Carole said: “Ultimately this idea will help bring the feel good factor back into flying, by enabling passengers to weigh their baggage for just £1, and redistribute any excess weight.”

“It was important to create an Intellectual Property portfolio for Weigh-Ahead, and TBI Solicitors has advised us on this. They have also helped us with commercial agreements, which means we can now look forward to seeing Weigh-Ahead in more British and European airports, and ultimately around the world.”

Amanda Mitten, Intellectual Property Specialist at TBI Solicitors, added: “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. Carole and Gerard have researched extensively, and taken four years to reach this point. It is inspiring to work with such enthusiastic entrepreneurs, and we wish them every success as Weigh-Ahead rolls out to many more airports.”

TBI Solicitors is one of the leading legal firms in the North East with offices in Wynyard Park, Hartlepool, Stockton and Barnard Castle. It has specialists in a number of fields, including intellectual property.