Intellectual Property Lawyers
Intellectual property can be the most valuable asset a business owns, that’s why our dedicated team of intellectual property lawyers work hard to protect it. Setfords’ IP solicitors are here to assist your business with all areas of intellectual property, from portfolio management and licensing, to trademarks, patents, infringement and IP audits.
In a world that’s more interconnected than ever, thanks to globalisation, safeguarding your intellectual property has never been more critical. With the rapid pace of innovation, creativity, and technological advances, our mission is to help you identify and protect your IP assets effectively.
As a national UK Top 100 law firm, we support a diverse range of clients, from start-ups to industry-leading institutions. Our operating model means that your matter will always be handled by an expert that is dedicated to client service, as evidenced by our 4.9* rating on TrustPilot from over 10,500 happy clients.
Find out more about how our lawyers can help you below.
Intellectual Property Lawyer Specialisms
How exactly can our intellectual property lawyers help you and your business? View some of our main specialisms below.
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IP Registration and Protection
IP Registration and Protection
Our intellectual property lawyers can assist you in registering and protecting your assets, including:
- Filing patent applications
- Registering trademarks and copyrights
- Obtaining design rights
- Advising on confidentiality
- Preparing non-disclosure agreements to ensure that those who you approach with your creations do not steal or damage your rights to them
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IP Portfolio Management
IP Portfolio Management
Setfords’s IP solicitors can help you to manage your intellectual property portfolios effectively. This can include:
- Reviewing and analysing existing IP assets
- Identifying opportunities for expansion
- Developing strategies for optimising the value of the portfolio
- Guidance on licensing, assignment, and transfer of IP rights
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IP Infringement
IP Infringement
Sometimes, your intellectual property rights will be infringed. When this happens, it’s important to have the right legal advice on your side.
Our IP solicitors can assist you in negotiation, mediation, and litigation in cases of infringement, oppositions, and challenges to your IP rights. We can draft letters before action to provide a third party with a request to desist, as well as drafting responses to a letter before action and defend clients against claims of IP infringement.
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IP Licensing and Sales
IP Licensing and Sales
If you are looking to licence or sell any of your intellectual property assets, Setfords is here to help.
Our intellectual property lawyers can assist you in drawing up the necessary documents to exploit your IP rights. We will ensure that your interests are protected, and that any agreements comply with the relevant laws and regulations.
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Intellectual Property Audits
Intellectual Property Audits
Knowing what intellectual property you own and how it is protected is crucial.
Setfords’s intellectual property experts can devise an in-depth IP report, providing a review of all the current intellectual property in use and owned by an individual or company. It will identify whether or not the intellectual property is protected or should be protected, what IP is being used, if there are problems with that usage, if others could be infringing your IP rights, whether or not any agreements need to be drafted to rectify any issues, and more.
IP Registration and Protection
Our intellectual property lawyers can assist you in registering and protecting your assets, including:
- Filing patent applications
- Registering trademarks and copyrights
- Obtaining design rights
- Advising on confidentiality
- Preparing non-disclosure agreements to ensure that those who you approach with your creations do not steal or damage your rights to them
IP Portfolio Management
Setfords’s IP solicitors can help you to manage your intellectual property portfolios effectively. This can include:
- Reviewing and analysing existing IP assets
- Identifying opportunities for expansion
- Developing strategies for optimising the value of the portfolio
- Guidance on licensing, assignment, and transfer of IP rights
IP Infringement
Sometimes, your intellectual property rights will be infringed. When this happens, it’s important to have the right legal advice on your side.
Our IP solicitors can assist you in negotiation, mediation, and litigation in cases of infringement, oppositions, and challenges to your IP rights. We can draft letters before action to provide a third party with a request to desist, as well as drafting responses to a letter before action and defend clients against claims of IP infringement.
IP Licensing and Sales
If you are looking to licence or sell any of your intellectual property assets, Setfords is here to help.
Our intellectual property lawyers can assist you in drawing up the necessary documents to exploit your IP rights. We will ensure that your interests are protected, and that any agreements comply with the relevant laws and regulations.
Intellectual Property Audits
Knowing what intellectual property you own and how it is protected is crucial.
Setfords’s intellectual property experts can devise an in-depth IP report, providing a review of all the current intellectual property in use and owned by an individual or company. It will identify whether or not the intellectual property is protected or should be protected, what IP is being used, if there are problems with that usage, if others could be infringing your IP rights, whether or not any agreements need to be drafted to rectify any issues, and more.
Setfords’ Approach to Intellectual Property Law
At Setfords, our intellectual property lawyers are true specialists in this field. They take the time to listen, analyse, and provide you with the most tailored legal advice for your business’ unique situation.
We can say this so confidently because we’re not like other law firms. Every one of our lawyers is an expert in their discipline. Your case will never be handed off to an inexperienced junior, ensuring you receive top-tier legal expertise at every stage.
Our distinctive support structure allows our intellectual property solicitors to focus entirely on their clients, free from internal billing pressures or administrative tasks. This means you’ll always benefit from a personalised, high-quality service designed to meet your specific needs.
Our Intellectual Property Lawyers
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Marian Araga
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Paul Gilks
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Temi Ade-John
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Mark Rhodes
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Intellectual Property FAQs
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What is intellectual property?
Intellectual property, or IP, refers to intangible property that’s made as a result of intellectual or creative efforts. This can include assets such as designs, names, images, songs, logos, and more.
IP allows the people who have created these assets to have legal rights over them, so they can control their use, distribution, sale, and more.
IP laws can be complex and do vary between countries, so if you’re looking to seek protection, you should consider taking on the advice of an intellectual property expert as soon as possible.
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What are my intellectual property rights?
There are a few different types of IP rights. For example:
- Patents are given to those who invent something new and useful, so they have exclusive rights to make, use, and sell what they’ve created for a set period of time.
- Trademarks are used to protect names, symbols, logos, and other distinctive signs of a business, with the aim of helping consumers to recognise specific products and services and identify them with a particular business.
- Copyrights are used to protect original works such as musical, literary, artistic, and dramatic works, or software, films, and designs. If you hold the copyright, you have the exclusive rights to display, distribute, and reproduce the works, plus more.
- Trade secrets refers to valuable, confidential business information that give an organisation a competitive advantage. This could include things such as recipes, customer lists, strategies, and processes.
- Industrial designs are used to protect the visual aspects of a product, for example its shape, pattern, or configuration.
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Can I protect my intellectual property internationally?
Yes, it is typically possible to protect your IP rights across several countries. There are even several international treaties and mechanisms available to protect your intellectual property across borders.
However, please note that the needs, processes, and costs can vary significantly depending on the country and requirements. Setfords’ expert intellectual property solicitors are here to help advise you on this complicated topic.
Speak to a Intellectual Property Solicitor on 0333 060 1465
Contact us3 Easy Steps To Getting Started
At Setfords our service is designed for your peace of mind. With highly qualified legal professionals at hand, our process will keep you updated every step of the way.
1. Call or complete our simple enquiry form
2. Our team will contact you to discuss your matter
3. Instruct for same-day file setup