trademarks & INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

In both emerging and established markets, ensuring your most valuable asset, your company's IP, is properly protected is key to the success of your brand and product identity. IP needs to be appropriately secured, registered and monitored.

Poorly protected IP can damage and dilute your brand and negatively impact your bottom line. It also leaves your company exposed and opens the doors to counterfeits, copycats and potentially costly litigation.

How we can assist in protecting and enhancing the value of your trademarks and intellectual property:

Trademark Search & Clearance

• Conduct preliminary "knock-out" searches. 
• Strategize on optional names or wording.
• Complete and accurate common law, state and federal searches. 

Federal & State Prosecution

• Assist in collection of relevant materials and exemplars.
• Prepare, file and monitor applications with the US Patent & Trademark Office and state counterpart (typically Office of the Secretary of State). 

Patents

•  Collaborate with external patent counsel to develop and prosecute patentable products formulations and designs. 

Trade Dress 

• Assist in development and design of novel packaging, advertising, logos, labels, and color combinations
• Develop strategies to protect distinctive and proprietary elements. 

Trade Secrets & Proprietary Business Information

• Draft tight and effective non-disclosure agreements (NDA's) for 3rd parties (vendors, visitors or potential buyers or sellers). 
• Incorporate appropriate language in employment offers and contracts, as well as internal polices regarding IP theft or conversion. 

Cease-and-Desist

• Preparation of tailored cease and desist letters to halt potential or ongoing infringements. 

Enforcement

• Collaborate with US local, state and federal authorities, as well as international agencies, to shut down counterfeiters.  

Licensing

• Negotiate and draft licensing and royalty agreements with 3rd parties to generate additional revenue for your brands. 
• Co-branding and white labelling strategies and set-ups, including joint venture and partnerships.