Our Services
Intellectual Property (IP)
Intellectual Property is the lifeblood of innovation and creativity in the modern business world. Whether you’re an artist, inventor, or business owner, protecting your intellectual assets is crucial. Our IP services include:
- Patents: Safeguarding your unique inventions and innovations.
- Trademarks: Protecting your brand identity and business reputation.
- Copyrights: Preserving your artistic and literary creations.
- Trade Secrets: Securing your confidential business information.
Prosecution
Identifying your needs
The type, form and scope of protection for your ideas and creations depend on your business needs, your budget and your future plans. We will advise you on an optimal solution for your particular situation.
Conducting clearance search
Before investing in the development of your intellectual property you need to be sure it is unique and that it does not violate any earlier rights. We will carry out a thorough clearance search and advise you on the registrability of your intellectual property rights.
Filing an application
This part of the procedure is often mistakenly considered as one of the easiest steps towards the registration of the intellectual property rights. To avoid complications, we will ensure that application forms are correctly completed and all formalities are met before the application is filed with an intellectual property office. This will minimize the possibility that your application is questioned by the authorities on formal grounds and will enable a swift and smooth processing of your application.
Removing obstacles towards registration
Despite all due care, authorities or third parties may object to the registration of your intellectual property rights on the basis of absolute or relative grounds. We will recommend the most appropriate and cost-effective course of action to tackle such obstacles and take all the steps necessary towards securing the registration of your rights.
Maintaining your intellectual property rights
Once your intellectual property rights are registered you will have to make sure they continue enjoying protection. Your rights will require regular maintenance. We will take care of all post-registration follow-up.
Enforcement
Dispute resolution & negotiations
Many conflicts can be resolved out of court through amicable settlements. When this option is available and meets your best interests, it is always worth exploring, as it is a faster and more cost-effective way of resolving a dispute. With our knowledge of local legal systems, practices and particularities, as well as our extensive experience in negotiating settlements and co-existence agreements, we will ensure the best representation of your legal position and business interests.
Oppositions and observations, cancellations
To protect the uniqueness of your intellectual property right, you will need to make sure that no other similar right is granted protection. Legal frameworks usually provide means to object to or contest a registration of a similar right, such as oppositions/observations and cancellation actions. Using best practices applied in each jurisdiction we cover, we will help you choose the most appropriate legal basis and the best course of action to achieve the maximum result at minimum cost.
Infringements and unfair competition, injunctions
Unfair competition, piracy, and counterfeiting are among the most damaging forms of intellectual property rights infringement. Taking legal action against these forms of trespasses against your exclusive rights can be challenging in many jurisdictions. To successfully manoeuvre through complex legal proceedings, you will require clear and practical advice on available legal remedies. With our vast experience of handling the most difficult enforcement cases, we will ensure that you are in control of the enforcement procedure and that you take the most efficient steps to protect your intellectual property rights.
Customs actions
In recent years, there has been a substantial surge in transit and import of counterfeited, pirated and copycat products globally. Engaging with customs authorities to prevent such products from entering the countries where you enjoy exclusive rights is the most effective way of protecting your business interests. We will make sure that your customs applications for action are up to date, that customs have all the necessary information to stop transit, export and import of infringing goods and that they are destroyed before causing damage to your business.
Domain name disputes
A unique domain name is one of the most important identifiers in modern business. Any copying of your domain name or unfair registration of your trademark as a domain name can cause considerable disruption of your business and confusion among consumers. The damage can be even greater when this is combined with online infringement. To protect your online identifier, we will help you by coordinating the domain name dispute resolution proceedings, where available, or initiating court action against cybersquatters or other online infringers.
Our team is dedicated to guiding you through the complexities of IP law, from initial filings to enforcement and litigation.
Intellectual Property Management
IP due diligence and IP audit
Intellectual property due diligence is an exercise of assessment of the IP rights owned or used by a company. Its goal is to identify and gather all relevant information concerning the value and risks to the company’s innovations and intangible assets. It is usually linked to various corporate transactions.
Intellectual property audit is a targeted assessment of certain IP assets ordered by the IP rights owner to verify all IP rights data. IP audit results may also reveal risks and problems to be remedied by the IP rights owner or help improve IP management strategies.
Both IP due diligence and IP audit may require significant budget, especially in Central Asia. We will perform a high-quality IP due diligence or IP audit service at a reasonable cost. You will feel safe and confident knowing everything about your IP rights or those of your counterpart.
IP-related contracts
Intellectual property-related contracts, such as assignments, license contracts, franchise agreements or pledge agreements, are an important tool for exploiting the value of the intellectual property rights. We will prepare a contract or revise your draft and advise you on its compliance with the legislation in a country of interest. In addition to assisting you with a recordal of an IP-related agreement before the authorities in a chosen jurisdiction, we will advise you on the possible risks and provide recommendations concerning the optimisation of recordal costs.
All-inclusive services
When faced with budgetary or workload constraints, HR limitations, or if you simply want to concentrate your team’s efforts on other projects, our all-inclusive IP management service will allow you to outsource your IP-related work to us. We will implement your strategic decisions and coordinate and supervise all work performed locally for you in a cost-effective manner. This service goes beyond a case-by-case engagement and offers a complete and long-lasting coverage of your portfolio.
Corporate Advisory
In the ever-changing landscape of the business world, having a trusted legal advisor is essential. We offer comprehensive corporate advisory services to help businesses navigate the complexities of corporate law, including:
- Entity Formation: Assisting with the creation of businesses, such as corporations, LLCs, Joint Ventures and partnerships.
- Mergers & Acquisitions: Advising on complex transactions to ensure your interests are protected.
- Contract Drafting and Review: Crafting agreements that safeguard your rights and interests.
- Compliance and Regulatory Matters: Ensuring your business adheres to legal requirements and regulations.
Business Setup
When you are ready to set up a business, you can count on us. We can provide clear legal counsel that will help you establish a business, operate a business, and sell your business. Whether you want to set up an LLC or corporation or something else entirely, we provide guidance. We have helped our clients choose the right entity for the business that they are creating and we help make sure that everything stays in order.
Our team is committed to helping you make informed decisions, manage risks, and seize opportunities in the corporate realm.