Intellectual property lawyers for brands, creators and growing businesses

A business's name, its brand, its software and its know-how are often worth more than its physical assets. We help businesses secure those rights early, use them commercially and act quickly when someone else takes advantage of them.

Since Brexit, a UK registration and an EU registration are separate rights, so businesses trading in both markets need a filing and enforcement plan that covers each. We advise on UK protection and work with clients expanding into Spain and the wider EU, and we act in disputes when rights are infringed or challenged.

What we do

Trade marks and brand protection

We carry out clearance searches, advise on what to register and where, file UK trade mark applications, and handle oppositions, invalidity and revocation actions. We help clients plan protection in the EU and Spain alongside the UK, and we manage portfolios and renewals.

Copyright, designs and confidential information

We advise on who owns copyright and design rights, particularly in work created by employees, contractors and agencies, and on protecting trade secrets and confidential information through contracts and practical measures.

Licensing and commercialisation

We draft and negotiate IP licences, assignments, technology transfer agreements, franchise arrangements, co-existence agreements and the IP provisions in commercial and software contracts.

Ownership in transactions

We review IP ownership and registrations on investments, and put in place the assignments needed to make sure the company owns what it uses.

Enforcement and disputes

We act for rights holders and alleged infringers in trade mark infringement and passing off, copyright and design disputes, breach of confidence and disputes over ownership. That includes cease and desist letters, negotiation and court proceedings.

Situations we help with

• You are launching a brand in the UK and want to know whether the name is free to use and register.
• Your UK business is expanding into Spain and you need EU protection for its trade marks.
• A former contractor claims to own code or designs your business relies on.
• A competitor is using a name or get-up similar to yours.
• You have received a letter alleging that your product infringes someone else's rights.

Points to consider

• Register before you launch. Registration gives clearer rights than relying on passing off. Searching first can avoid an expensive rebrand.
• UK and EU are now separate. An EU trade mark does not cover the UK, and a UK mark does not cover the EU.
• Ownership follows contract. Work created by contractors and agencies does not automatically belong to the business that paid for it. Written assignments matter.
• Act promptly on infringement. Delay can weaken a claim for urgent relief.

How we work

• Commercially focused. We start with what the IP is worth to the business and protect it proportionately.
• Linked to corporate and technology work. IP advice is coordinated with our corporate and technology lawyers.
• Litigation capability. Our dispute resolution team acts when rights need to be enforced in court.
• UK and Spain. Lawyers with Spanish qualifications can advise on brand expansion into Spain.

How a matter usually runs

1. Review. We identify the rights the business has, what it uses and where it trades.
2. Plan. We recommend what to register, where and in what order, or how to respond to a dispute.
3. File or act. We file applications, prepare agreements or send and respond to letters before action.
4. Maintain and enforce. We monitor renewals and deadlines and act on infringements.

Related services

• Corporate & Commercial: IP in investments.
• Technology Law: software, SaaS and AI.
• Dispute Resolution: infringement proceedings.
• Spanish Desk: entering the Spanish market.