Social media and online publishing are creating new threats to ownership and usage of materials. As a niche media and commercial litigation practice, we fully recognise the importance of protecting the name, brand, image and creative work of our clients. This means halting breaches of intellectual property as quickly as possible to minimise financial impact and to protect brands from further damage and exploitation.
Intellectual Property
Protecting your rights and what’s yours
Whether your rights, content, text, images, audio or visuals are being copied, or used without your permission, we’ll fight for what’s yours.
- Copyright Infringement
- Patents
- Domain Names
- Design Rights
- Trademarks
- Passing Off
- Image Rights
- Breach of Confidentiality
Ask Our Expert
What do I do if I think someone is using my intellectual property?
While each case turns on its own facts, it is usually sensible to approach the other party to ask them to stop infringing your rights as the IP owner. Ensuring your rights are protected must not involve issuing unwarranted threats – which in some circumstances in itself can be actionable.
What is copyright?
The Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 creates the legal right for the originator to exclusively print, publish, perform, film, or record literary, artistic, or musical material for a fixed period.
How long does copyright last?
Copyright generally lasts 70 years from the end of the year that the author/originator died although IP duration very much depends on the rights.
Is copyright limited to the UK?
No, copyright is an internationally recognised, automatic right. Litigation sounds expensive – is there an alternative?
If it isn’t possible to settle the matter outside of court, for SMEs and private individuals who may otherwise be deterred by the costs of litigation, the Intellectual Property and Enterprise Court offers a less formal alternative to asserting their rights. It offers the same remedies as the High Court, including damages, injunctions and disclosure but costs are limited so exposure to huge financial risk is controlled.