Intellectual Property Practice

Companies are increasingly recognizing the need for, and benefits to be obtained from, protecting their trademarks, trade names, trade secrets, copyrights and industrial designs. Whether the issue is registering in their home market to protect against potential infringers or obtaining global registration of the tangible expression of their ideas, concepts and creations, our firm and our worldwide network of experienced professionals has the expertise needed to ensure our clients' rights are preserved. Our specific services include:

Many companies are unaware of the full extent to which they can maximize the value of their existing intellectual property and protect it against infringement. We review companies' business materials and existing intellectual property portfolios to identify intellectual property assets and determine which property can be registered with the appropriate agencies, including the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office, the U.S. Copyright Office and their counterparts worldwide. We then register and maintain that intellectual property to ensure that the maximum protection afforded under the law is provided.

The introduction of intellectual property into new markets requires not only compliance with all applicable laws and regulations, but also the preparation of distribution and licensing agreements setting out the terms of any relationship with agents, distributors and/or licensees. We assist our clients in negotiating, drafting and recording distribution and licensing agreements to ensure that their intellectual property rights are preserved throughout the world.

More and more, companies are being required to defend their ownership and use of intellectual property. We work with our clients both nationally and internationally through the courts, international trade agencies, and government officials to ensure that their rights are recognized, and accorded the full weight of the law.

The establishment of an extensive monitoring system represents one of the most effective ways in which intellectual property can be protected against infringement. We are able to monitor international watch services to ensure that no trademarks or brand names dilutive to our clients' intellectual property are introduced into the marketplace. In addition, we are also able to monitor federal and international intellectual property laws and regulations so that our clients are aware of any significant changes that would impact their rights both today and tomorrow.

The laws of the United States provide a number of vehicles by which companies can protect their interests in intellectual property. Two of the more significant mechanisms involve registering intellectual property with U.S. Customs, and filing for confidentiality with respect to the information presented on shipping documentation. We assist companies in both these processes so that their rights under the import laws are preserved. In addition, we also provide advice and counsel on the scope and applicability of parallel (gray) market laws, regulations and restrictions.