Intellectual Property Law
As the mainstay of legal protection in the digital environment, intellectual property - trade marks, copyright, designs, patents, trade secrets & confidential information - is a valuable commercial asset in its own right and, properly protected and exploited, it gives businesses a competitive edge in the market and adds capital value to the business. Treating intellectual property as part of an essential framework for business rather than as separate rights yields the most value. For some businesses, such as software developers, without intellectual property they have no business assets.
Our intellectual property services include:
risk management and safeguarding intellectual property assets
- advice to protect against copyright infringement of works created by software houses, publishers, photographers, writers and artists
- registering and safeguarding trade mark rights - from registration to image rights and brand protection
- legal assessment of passing off actions and trade mark infringement
- devising IP brand protection strategies, including digital rights management
- protecting confidential information from misuse
- providing legal advice on patents and patent protection
- licensing of products and services; technology and computer based inventions; software
- outsourcing transactions
- character merchandising
- domain name disputes and associated IP ownership matters
We are able to assist our clients protect, develop and exploit their brands, copyright, inventions and other subject matter in which intellectual property protection is available. From developing a brand and image protection strategy through to enforcement of intellectual property rights, and recovery for infringement of those rights. The focus is on maintaining & enhancing the asset value and competitive edge held by the business.
Increasingly, companies are alive to the financial reality that their net worth is far higher when intangible assets are taken into account such as the brand & goodwill, trademarks, copyright, design rights, registered designs and patents. As with any valuable asset, it makes sense to take a strategic view for their development and exploitation and if need be, their enforcement. Such a strategy usually includes measures to render enforcement cost effective.