Intellectual Property

We are able to assist in Intellectual Property ownership matters – identifying IP rights, safeguarding IP rights through registration or otherwise and IP Licensing.  We can also assist with contentious matters such IP infringement issues as well as risk management and intellectual property protection.

Our Solicitors can assist with:

• Trademarks
• Copyright
• Designs
• Patents
• Trade names
• Domain names
• Branding
• Image rights
• Endorsements
• IP infringements
• Intellectual property rights agreements
• Confidential information, trade secrets and know-how

Trademark Applications:

Special marks and brands are used by traders and businesses to distinguish its products or services from those of others, whether registered or unregistered.  However by far the best way of protecting your intellectual property is to ensure that these are registered in the markets you intend to trade.

We are able to assist you with UK, EU, US or Worldwide registrations.  Also due to the international nature of our practice, we are quite frequently asked to assist client with registration of the trademark in Taiwan& China. 

UK & EU Trademark Registrations

Each European country operates its own national trademark registry, but to cover the whole of Europe in this way would involve 28 separate applications, and huge expense, not to mention the time required to manage such a project.

Through the EU trademark system, we can assist you to register a communitytrademark which covers 28 countries which make up the European Union in a single application.  This includes the UK which is why where appropriate we frequently advise clients seeking a UK only registration to make a community trademark application.  We see this as increasingly important in a digital age and with more and more business being conducted online on the world-wide web. 

Worldwide Trademark Registrations

The Madrid System is a one-stop solution for registering and managing marks worldwide.  File one application, in one language, and pay one set of fees to protect your mark in the territories of up to 95 members.

Intellectual Property Infringement:

Intellectual property (IP) such as patents and trademarks can be vital business assets. IP disputes often arise when other businesses infringe your IP, or take action against you for infringing their IP rights. As with other commercial disputes, it is important to understand your rights and the best approach to dispute resolution.

In many cases, simply drawing attention to the infringement may be sufficient but if that it is not the case, you need Solicitors on your side who can advise in relation to the options available to you. For more information on Intellectual Property Litigation, click here.

At Hallmark Solicitors, can provide you with an early assessment of your matter at relatively low cost at which time we are able to analyse the position including the pros and cons of legal action.  We take a risk-based approach as well as a pragmatic approach to provide you with best possible advice tailored to your needs and objectives. 

With our Head Office based in Hull and two Consulting Offices in London and Leeds we are easily accessible for consultations. Call us on 01482 616 616 or 0800 037 1305 to book a free telephone consultation to discuss your issues and requirements.