Brands, creative works, designs, software and know-how are often the most valuable assets of a business. Their value depends on how well they are protected, how carefully they are licensed and how quickly the business can act when they are infringed.
We advise on the protection, commercialisation and enforcement of intellectual property rights. Our work covers trademark and design filings and oppositions, copyright and related rights, licensing and assignment agreements, domain name disputes, customs measures and infringement proceedings, as well as the intellectual property aspects of transactions and technology projects.
Scope of services
- 01Trademark and design searches, filings and portfolio management
- 02Oppositions, cancellation and invalidity actions
- 03Copyright and related rights, including software and creative works
- 04Licensing, franchising, assignment and coexistence agreements
- 05Infringement, counterfeiting and unfair competition proceedings
- 06Domain name disputes and online enforcement
- 07Intellectual property due diligence in transactions
- 08Trade secrets and confidentiality protection
- 09Any other matter relating to the protection and use of intellectual property
How we work
We start by identifying which rights the business owns, which it uses under licence and where the gaps are. Protection is then built around the commercial plan, and enforcement is planned in proportion to the value at stake, from a warning letter or a platform notice to court proceedings.
Frequently asked questions
In most jurisdictions registration is the main way to obtain strong and enforceable trademark protection, although unregistered signs may enjoy limited protection in certain circumstances. Registering early in the markets where the business operates or plans to operate reduces the risk of conflicts.
The answer depends on the applicable law and on the agreements in place. Contracts with employees, freelancers and agencies should clearly address the ownership or licensing of the works they create.
The duration depends on the office, the examination process and whether third parties file oppositions. An application without objections usually progresses faster, while an opposition or a refusal adds further stages.
Depending on the case, the first step may be a warning letter, a notice to the platform or marketplace concerned, or customs measures. Where these do not resolve the matter, civil or criminal proceedings and interim injunctions may be available.
Trademark rights are generally territorial. A business that sells, plans to sell or manufactures in other countries should consider protection there, either through national filings or international registration systems.
Trade secrets are protected mainly through confidentiality agreements, internal policies, access restrictions and careful handling of information shared with employees, partners and investors. Proving that reasonable protective measures were taken is often essential in a dispute.