IP/IT

Intellectual Property (IP) is a subject of ever-increasing importance: it is now a major consideration in virtually every deal, transaction or project. In order to provide effective advice to you on the creation, exploitation, protection and enforcement of IP, it is vital that we have a deep understanding of both your business and the sector in which you operate and we pride ourselves on our ability to do so.

Different types of IP rights protect different types of subject matter: for example patents for inventions, trade marks for brands, designs for appearance, and copyright for artistic, literary, musical and dramatic works.

The various types of IPR differ in many ways, for example, whether they are based on statute or common law, how long they last, the criteria for ownership, whether they have to be registered and the scope of the protection which they afford to the rights-holder.

A common theme, however, is that all IPRs in essence confer legal protection upon the results of intellectual or creative endeavour, for the benefit of either those responsible for it, or those whose investment made it possible. And they all do so in the same fundamental way, which is by placing a legal prohibition on certain types of activity which may not be undertaken without the consent of the rights-holder, thus allowing him to control the activities of others in the relevant field.  

Our intellectual property team provides you with a solution driven service in a truly comprehensive range of industries including creative industries, IT based businesses, retail businesses, manufacturing businesses, petrochemicals industry, technology businesses, service industries, academia, research, renewable energy and telecommunications.

For more information please contact Simon Brown.