IP and licensing

We advise on the full range of IP rights, including trade marks and passing off, copyright and database right, rights in designs, patents and rights in confidential information. We specialise in both contentious and non-contentious intellectual property law. 

Our expertise extends to wider media-related issues, including false and misleading advertising, comparative advertising, trade libel and malicious falsehood, and the removal of material from third party online forums such as social media or competitor websites.

Whilst the aim in any dispute is always to avoid litigation wherever possible, we represent clients in all intellectual property dispute resolution tribunals. In addition to court proceedings, this includes mediation and alternative dispute resolution processes, proceedings in the UK Intellectual Property Office, arbitration proceedings applicable specifically to domain name disputes, and individual Internet Service Providers' own dispute resolution mechanisms. Our contentious IP practice is a dedicated specialist practice but our team has substantial background experience in relation to commercial dispute resolution generally, which means that we are able to provide specialist IP advice having regard also to wider legal and commercial issues which frequently arise in IP infringement claims, such as breach of contract and fiduciary duty issues, and to provide more flexible, all round, advice and solutions.

We advise on and negotiate agreements in which IP is the central asset in issue, such as agreements for commercial research and development of industrial technology, licences of resulting new technology, and other licences and assignments of registered and unregistered IP rights. In addition, we advise on and negotiate IP provisions within commercial transactions of any kind, including in the context of joint ventures, partnerships and the appointment of employees and third party consultants. We have substantial experience of conducting IP audits and due diligence, and advising on the strengthening and protection of IP portfolios generally. Our approach is on the negotiation and drafting of IP provisions with experience and focus on where issues and disputes are most likely to arise in the future.

We have strong contacts and established relationships both in the UK and overseas with lawyers, patent attorneys and trade mark attorneys. We are members of Interlaw and have access to lawyers in 150 cities.

In brief

• Specialise in both contentious and non-contentious intellectual property law
• Provide specialist IP advice in IP infringement claims having regard also to wider legal and commercial issues, to provide more flexible, all round, advice and solutions
• Advise on and negotiate agreements in which IP is the central asset in issue, and IP provisions within commercial transactions of any kind