We have advised a number of clients in the science and technology sector, ranging from start-ups, and academic spin-outs, to large established companies, in fields ranging from medical devices and pharmaceuticals, to digital currency, and mobile applications.
For many companies in this sector, intellectual property assets make up the majority of the value of the business. We appreciate the importance of defining and protecting intellectual property assets, through advising on matters such as confidentiality agreements, trade mark applications, and intellectual property licences, assignments and royalty agreements.
We also undertake IP audits, where we analyse the assets or products of a business, and review the sequence of events and contractual documents governing their creation, in order to identify, define and establish the ownership of all intellectual property rights, such as copyright, trade marks, database rights, know-how and trade secrets. Advice and assistance is then given on how best to secure, protect and exploit the intellectual property rights that are identified in the audit.
Typical issues that we may advise on include:
- Intellectual property rights.
- Trade marks and branding.
- Cookie policies.
- R&D agreements.
- Data protection.
- Website and social media policies.
- Software licences and SAAS agreements.
- Franchise agreements.
- Terms and conditions.
- E-commerce and distance selling.
- Consumer rights.
- Buying and selling businesses.
- Investments and financing.
- Regulatory matters.
- Employment issues.
- Disputes.
