Intellectual Property Lawyers

Virtually every business worldwide has intellectual property that may be of vital importance to its continued success.

Our role is to enable you to make the most of your intellectual property assets through protection, enforcement, commercialisation and audits. We will work with you to establish your needs and objectives for IP protection, and will identify the most suitable form, geographical extent, and availability of protection and manage the relevant process.

IP Protection

It is obviously important to ensure that your intellectual property is protected and that the protection remains current, providing what you require as your business grows and diversifies. Our IP lawyers advise on the appropriate forms of protection available and assist you to obtain relevant protections including:

Trademarks

Our service for trademarks encompasses expert legal guidance on trademark registration, portfolio management, and enforcement. We help clients in protecting their brand identity by securing trademark rights, navigating complex infringement disputes, and advising on commercial exploitation. Our proactive approach ensures your trademarks are robustly defended, maximising their value and safeguarding your market position. Whether you're establishing a new brand or managing an existing portfolio, our tailored advice is designed to align with your strategic business goals.

Design rights

We offer specialised services for the protection and enforcement of design rights. Our team  help you in securing registration, navigating complex legal challenges, and defending against infringement. We understand the importance of unique designs to your business and provide strategic advice to leverage your intellectual property effectively. Whether you're dealing with product designs or aesthetic creations, our expertise ensures your designs are well-protected, enhancing your competitive edge in the marketplace.

Patents

Our patent services are designed to protect and maximize the value of your innovations. We guide clients through the patenting process, offer strategic advice on patent portfolios, and handle complex litigation for infringement cases. Our expertise ensures robust protection for your technological advancements, providing support from initial filing to enforcement. With a focus on aligning patent strategy with your business objectives, we help secure your intellectual property rights and maintain your competitive advantage.

Copyright protection

We understand how important it is to protect and enforce copyright, ensuring your creative works are legally safeguarded. Our team provides expert advice on registration, licensing, and managing copyright portfolios, as well as robust representation in infringement disputes. We support a diverse range of clients, from authors to artists and businesses, helping to navigate the complexities of copyright law and maximise the commercial potential of your intellectual property.

Confidential information & trade secrets

Our specialist team of lawyers will help you to safeguard your confidential information and trade secrets. We understand the critical importance of proprietary knowledge to your business's success and offer robust strategies for protection and recourse against unauthorized disclosure. Our team assists with non-disclosure agreements, internal policies, and swift action in the event of breaches, ensuring your valuable trade secrets remain secure and your competitive edge preserved in an increasingly information-driven marketplace.

IP Audits

We can conduct audits of all aspects of your IP whether for new projects, acquisitions, investments, or strategic housekeeping. We have significant experience of managing IP portfolios nationally and internationally for a wide range of clients, and have looked after some clients’ brands for decades.

Enforcement and litigation

An issue you may face is the unauthorised registration and/or use of your IP. We provide advice and will represent you in addressing this, with a focus on dispute resolution where possible or swift action, whether in the Courts or IP tribunals, where it is not. If you receive or are threatened with a claim, our IP litigation experts will advise you on the merits and assist in resolving the issue, whether negotiated settlement or robust defence.

Commercialisation and licensing

Your IP is a very valuable asset and its value may be maximised through licensing, acquisitions or disposals. Our team advises on a broad range of commercial needs from research, development and joint ventures to franchising and merchandising and of course supporting you with the IP aspects of acquisitions or disposals. Whether you require the preparation of commercial contracts or just a “sanity check”, we are there to meet your needs. We also help you clear advertising (print or broadcast) and promotions, comply with regulations, and challenge third parties’ advertising where necessary.

Comprehensive Intellectual Property services

Working globally with colleagues across all relevant legal disciplines, our integrated approach for clients from the largest multi-nationals to start-ups ensures seamless advice across all your commercial requirements from inception to market. We understand the importance of your IP whatever your size. We are one of the few leading City law firms with the ability to provide a holistic approach, and a complete ‘one stop shop’, to meet your needs across the full range of intellectual property.

Brexit presented a big challenge to owners of IP and now the transition period has ended there are ongoing issues to consider as a result of the changes. For us, with offices in the UK and the EU, it is business as usual for IP matters, but we have produced guidance on the implications of Brexit on all types of intellectual property and our recommended action points here.

We are proud to have been named as 2023 UK Trade Mark Prosecution Firm of the Year by Managing IP.