Patents, trade marks, designs, copyright and trade secrets protect different aspects of a business. A useful strategy starts with the product, markets, development timetable and intended exploitation. We coordinate protection, ownership and licensing so that registrations and contracts support the way the business actually operates.
What we assess
Before publication, potential filings and third-party rights need attention. A registered right does not by itself establish freedom to operate. In disputes, the scope and validity of the asserted right, the challenged conduct and evidence of use must be assessed separately.
Four practical examples
Illustrative scenarios, not accounts of client matters. The appropriate response depends on the documents, applicable law and procedural position.
A new product launch
A manufacturer prepares a technical product for market. Patent, design, trade mark and confidentiality issues are examined before disclosure. The review separates protection for the company's own work from possible rights held by others.
A confusingly similar brand
A competitor introduces a similar sign. The registered goods or services, territory, use and likelihood of confusion require analysis. A proportionate response may involve negotiation, opposition or infringement proceedings depending on the facts.
An agency creates business materials
A company pays for a logo and promotional content. Payment alone should not be assumed to grant every intended use. The agreement must address scope, adaptations, third-party components and the evidence of acquired rights.
Technology is licensed abroad
Territory, fields of use, sublicensing, improvements and exit arrangements need coordination. Local counsel may be required for foreign-law issues. The agreement should match the rights actually owned and the markets to be served.
Documents that help
Product descriptions, drawings, development records, registrations, licence agreements, evidence of use and correspondence about alleged infringement.
From assessment to the next step
We first distinguish established facts from disputed allegations and identify any step needed to preserve rights. The legal route is then assessed against the commercial objective, available evidence and potential cost. Where technical or foreign-law input is required, responsibilities are coordinated before further work is commissioned. Negotiation, formal proceedings and practical implementation are considered together; a favourable legal position still needs a workable route to the intended result.
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Discuss your matter
Tell us the parties involved, your objective and any deadlines. Our main office is in Hanover, Lower Saxony. We advise on German-law matters nationwide and coordinate cross-border work with locally qualified counsel where required.
Send an enquiry — all fields optional · +49 511 3573560
We check conflicts and agree the scope and fees before accepting instructions. An enquiry alone does not create an engagement or preserve a deadline.