Advice is made-to-measure
Intellectual Property law is complex, diverse and turbulent. No brand, design or company is the same. Therefore, advice should be customised. Please discuss your specific situation with us so that we can determine the best strategy for optimal protection and defence of your Intellectual Property.
- Legal assistance with the development of new brands and names;
- Assesment of the availability of trademarks, trade names and domain names;
- Investigating the (linguistic) suitability of brands;
- Assessment of trademark portfolios and the status of IP rights;
- Worldwide application, registration and renewals of trademark and designs;
- Trademark monitoring;
- Management of brand portfolios;
- Conflict management, negotiations and legal assistance with disputes;
- Initiating oppositions, preparing and filing pleas and appeals;
- Drafting IP contracts and license agreements.
Brand creation
A good name must distinguish, define and strengthen the product. The name forms the basis of a strong brand and determines the success of a new introduction. The consumer chooses on the basis of a brand name. So much depends on a successful brand creation.
A new name must meet commercial and marketing purposes. Equally important are the legal requirements. Is the name free (available) and legally suitable? Older rights can be fatal or a name may legally be difficult to define. It has a twofold effect. Without good legal guidance in the creative process, a false start is lurking.
Conflicts
If you have a conflict, please contact us so that we determine what the possibilities are. Most conflicts are resolved without court proceedings are necessary.
Conflict prevention starts with early detection and good protection through registration. Success in business leads to followers and abuse is not inevitable. To prevent confusion among the public, to prevent reputational damage or loss of sales, rights must be defended.
- Use of confusing brands and logos
- Counterfeit goods and piracy
- Conflicting new trademark filings (trademark monitoring)
- hijacking of domain names, trademarks and social media account names
- Search engine and Adwords abuse
- Use of confusing trade names
- Copying works (copyright) or design
Trade names
A trade name is the name of a company used in commerce. By using the name, trade name rights can be invoked. You can act against newer trade names if there is confusion, given the nature of the companies and the locations. Trade name protection can be minimal.
Company names can be registered as a trademarks. A trademark registration does not depend on the location and reputation. Without a trademark registration, a similar company can use the same name in another region without you being able to do something about it. This third party can even prevent you from operating in that region even if you were previously active.
Without a trademark registration, your logos and other distinguishing signs are not protected. To effectively take action against the abuse of your domain name or abuse on the Internet, trademark registration is essential. Moreover, a trademark registration has a strong deterrent effect; third parties will less likely abuse or hook up. In short; registration of your company name as a trademark is highly recommended.
IP audit
The value of a company is determined by the status and strength of its Intellectual Property Rights. By means of our IP Audit we screen your company. We look into the status of your current brand portfolio and check whether matters are not well protected.Periodic check or second opinion
The IP Audit reveals the weakness and the strengths of your portfolio. Based on our input, we determine whether and how your position can be further strengthened. If your brands are with another agency, our IP Audit gives a fresh look and may save you costs. The IP Audit is usually free and switching to us is simple and free of charge.
In case of acquisition, merger or sale, the value and status of Intellectual Property Rights must be determined. A company or brand may turn out to be worthless if there are no good registrations or if there are hidden defects. Our IP Audit provides insight into how strong and valuable a portfolio actually is.
Switch quickly, easily and free of charge
Are you dissatisfied with your current trademark attorney? Have you decided that you want a good agency to take over your IP matters? Or is your portfolio fragmented and do you want it managed centrally by one agency? Perhaps it can also be more cost-effective? Switching to us is easy. The transition must go smoothly and an experienced agency will represent your interests with enthusiasm in the future.
- First acquaintance and, if desired, personal appointment
- Free screening of your portfolio (IP Audit)
- Takeover representation + acquisition of existing files
- Including your portfolio in our databases + monitoring renewals
- Free trademark monitoring in the first year
- Periodically IP Audit
IP management
For efficient and accurate management of brand portfolios experience and expertise are required. A short line with your attorney is very important. We manage large and small portfolios in the Benelux, the EU and worldwide. Our network of foreign colleagues guarantees adequate brand management globally.
Brands are always in motion and the legal position of a brand is changing; transfer or disposing of brands, licenses, export or expansion abroad, mergers, acquisitions, repositioning or restyling, dilution of trademark rights, new products and services, etc. Your attorney is and remains the first contact with every move of your brand and will ensure that every change is adequately dealed with.
TM registration
Only if your trademark is registered, you can act against the use and abuse of your trademark, logo or packaging.
a new brand?
Is your trademark still available? How to avoid and manage the risks with the launch of a new brand / logo / trade name?
international mark
A mark is protected only when registered in a country. First come, first served. We register trademarks worldwide.
IP management
For efficient and accurate management of brand portfolios, experience and expertise are essential. Try us out.