Intellectual Property

YorSolicitor is the premier intellectual property specialist in the York area. Our services are geared to identify and protect intellectual property (IP) assets and to help clients gain the maximum profitability from them.

Intellectual property is a term that covers a vast range of complex issues, processes and laws. Some intellectual property is very intricate and requires a great amount of ingenuity to produce, (for example some biotechnology or other complicated inventions). Other examples can be quite simple, (for example a simple advertising strap-line or the design of a T-shirt). IP can be created from the very first idea a business generates. It is important to make sure that your creative assets are covered with the necessary protection. If IP rights are not properly protected, then it is possible for smart innovation to be lost to a competitor, leaving the innovator with nothing. Don't let this happen!

It is becoming more and more vital for organisations to take the necessary measures to protect their IP, in an increasingly knowledge-driven business environment. This is where YorSolicitor can help.

YorSolicitor’s services include:

Trade Marks

This includes searching and registering trade marks. Before you spend a lot of money creating and designing a name and/or logo for your business we can search for exisiting trade marks to ensure that you are entitled to use that name/logo without infringing an existing trade mark. This can save you a considerable amount of money in the long-term. When you do have a registered trade mark you can make money from it by sale or licence. We can prepare trade mark assignments and licensing agreements. We can also advise and act for you in the event of trade mark infringements.

Domain names

YorSolicitor can advise you with regard to your domain names.

Patents

Come to speak to us before you disclose your potential invention so that you do not lose the right to patent it if that would be appropriate. We can provide advice on the patentability of a new product or process. Yorsolicitor acts with a network of patent attorneys who have expertise in drafting patents in diverse areas of technology and can find the best one for your invention. We can also advise on patent searching so you can find out what is out there already in your particular field. In the event of an actual or potential dispute, we can act for you and advise on patent infringement. We can also provide patent assignments and help with negotiating and drafting patent licences and related contracts so that you make the maximum amount of revenue from your inventions. .

Passing Off

What does passing off mean? and what measures can be taken in particular circumstances? Is another business passing off as your company and casuing you actual or potential loss? This is an area where we can advise you.

Copyright

All businesses will have some copyright material whether in conventional written material, software, music or the whole spectrum of new media. We can advise on copyright ownership and how you can maximise the potential income from copyright works owned by your business. Where a breach of copyright occurs we will advise you as to the most cost-effective and appropriate action.

Confidential Information

In the commercial world there will always be situations when confidential information may be exposed. Drafting necessary agreements such as legally binding Confidentiality Agreements is essential to make sure confidential information remains protected.

Design and database rights.

There is a wide range of different types of design which are protected by the law in different ways. We can advise as to whether it would be appropriate to register your designs , and explain what rights exist in your unregistered designs. How can you maximise the revenue from your own designs and what about the overlap between your designs and your competitors? We can advise on options to pursue if infringement occurs with respect to your designs. We also advise companies on their database rights, (which are particularly valuable for some businesses), and how best to protect them.

We will identify what IP exists in the business and what is being created and, from this, devise a solution which protects and exploits these assets. We will also advise on avoidance of infringement of IP belonging to others. We can help resolve IP disputes either through mediation or, if necessary, conventional litigation.

If you have any questions on intellectual property issues you can contact us on 01904 449933 or at emcm@yorsolicitor.co.uk