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Intellectual Property Law
At Wright Hassall, our intellectual property solicitors advise businesses and individuals on how to manage, protect, and exploit their intellectual property (IP) assets. This includes brands, inventions, designs, know-how, and creative works in literary, artistic, and musical domains. Our approach, often referred to as non-contentious intellectual property, focuses on proactive IP management.
Identifying and Maximising IP Assets
The first step for many clients is working with us to identify the IP used and owned by their business.
We assess whether these assets are being utilized for profit and ensure they are protected effectively.
Intellectual property can be complex. Many think of it as merely innovative products and designs, but
it encompasses much more, including your brand name, logo, reputation, business plan, specialist
know-how, and customer data. As the world becomes increasingly digital and technology-driven, the
importance of IP protection grows for both businesses and individuals. Our team provides
comprehensive IP audits for businesses of all sizes, from start-ups and SMEs to large multinational
organisations.
Our expertise
Trademarks
Trademarks protect various forms of branding, including business and product names, logos, shapes,
sounds, and even smells. After identifying key branding elements, our IP solicitors can help you
register your trademarks in the appropriate jurisdictions, ensuring they are protected against misuse. Our team conducts thorough searches to identify conflicts and assists in registering your trademarks in relevant categories.
Domain Names
Domain names are a related form of IP protection that overlaps with trademark registrations. Having
a registered trademark makes it easier to prevent cybersquatters from hijacking domain names
relevant to your business.
"A client says: 'A fantastic team: good commercial awareness, flexible, and they coached us through the situation to raise our knowledge and capabilities.'"
Patents
A patent grants an inventor the right to stop others from making, using, or selling their invention.
Disclosure of an invention before filing a patent application can result in the loss of potential
protection. Our specialist lawyers and patent attorneys can help you navigate the patent application process, ensuring your innovations are adequately protected.
Design rights & product designs
Design protection, often underused in the UK, safeguards the shape or outward appearance of a
product. While basic unregistered protection arises automatically, stronger protection is available
through registration. Our solicitors help you understand and secure design protection before
launching your products to market.
Dealing with intellectual property infringements
IP rights are infringed when protected works are used, copied, or exploited without consent. Our top-
ranked IP dispute resolution team works proactively and cost-effectively to handle such infringements, ensuring your rights are enforced and protected.
Why Choose Wright Hassall?
Wright Hassall is one of the UK’s largest full-service law firms, with the resources and flexibility to
assist businesses of all sizes across various industry sectors. We help everyone from lone inventors
and owner-managed businesses to multinational corporations. Our approach is tailored to each
client, ensuring a deep understanding of your business and IP needs.
Contact Us
For advice on intellectual property issues, call us at 0808 303 7774 or contact us online to find out how
we can help.
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