Intellectual Property (IP)

Overview

IP can be your most valuable asset so don’t overlook it

IP can provide competitive advantage, generate revenue, and build long-term value for a business, yet IP protection is often an area that is overlooked. We help clients develop a clear understanding of their IP and knowledge-based assets, and how to harness, protect, manage, and leverage them.

Our team includes specialist IP lawyers with comprehensive knowledge of the many forms of IP, from confidential information and trade secrets, brands, and trade marks through to patents and designs.  We advise throughout the lifecycle of IP, from creation to commercialisation and enforcement, and on all aspects of IP strategy, to enable you to realise the full value of your IP.

We are regularly involved in IP transactional work, including undertaking due diligence analysis, setting up corporate structures, and advising on freedom to operate.

Trade Marks and Branding

Trade marks and brands can be highly valuable assets and key to customer recognition, reputation, and sales. We provide strategic legal support for brand owners and will guide you through the processes required to use a new brand or trade mark and help you manage, protect, enforce, and commercially leverage your portfolio of brands and trade marks, including

• advising on the full range of commercial contracts relating to the exploitation of trade marks and brands, whether by licences, sales, franchising, or other strategic alliances or partnerships;
• advising on purchase of trade marks and brands that fit your portfolio;
• dealing with any challenges to your use of any trade marks or brands;
• developing brand strategies.

We will also help you with domain names and social media branding.

Confidential Information

Key to the competitive advantage of many businesses is confidential information, know-how, or trade secrets. Adequately recording and protecting this type of information is essential in order to be able to take action if it is ever subject to unauthorised use or disclosure.

We will assist you with your strategy to manage know-how and advise you when it comes to disclosing it, both internally and externally, by providing you with written policies and terms for employees and consultants, with confidentiality agreements/NDAs, and, where the disclosure of confidential information is coupled with a transfer of materials, with material transfer agreements.

Patents

Patenting can be a complex and expensive area to navigate, including deciding whether to patent new technology, where to protect it and how to commercialise it. However, patents have the potential to be particularly rewarding and we have extensive experience in advising on patent protection, use, licensing, and exploitation. Navigating around other people’s patents can also be challenging and can lead to unexpected costs and risks and we will advise on how to avoid infringement.

Software and Technology

The technology market and related law is constantly evolving, and our team is on hand to provide specialist advice.  From day-to-day software required to operate your business, to development projects and the use of innovative technology, you can benefit from our advice on development and licensing, outsourcing, joint ventures, reseller arrangements, software as a service, ecommerce, software development, hosting, procurement, and other technology-related agreements.

IP Transactions

For many businesses, whether at the point of seeking investment, or at the time of a merger or acquisition, or in anticipation of any of these, a key part of the underlying value is in IP. With our vast experience in IP, IT, commercial, and data protection matters, we will provide advice, assistance, and clear and concise guidance including undertaking due diligence checks to protect that value and to ensure that there are no surprises when it comes to a corporate transaction.

IP Startups

We will help you to identify, manage, track, and protect your IP so that you will build up value in your business from the outset. We will assist with preparing founder IP transfers to secure all IP within the business, and help you to develop your IP and confidentiality protection strategy, as well as advising on employee IP, consultant IP, and licences or assignments from third parties.