The Importance of IP to a Business

IP rights are a great deal more significant to a business than is commonly appreciated.

These rights may be

  • used to provide an exclusive market place for a company’s product or service
  • used to enhance a company’s balance sheet and thereby to leverage a sale or fund raising.
  • sold or licensed to a third party so as to generate additional income. This is particularly applicable to “spin-off” technology which can be used in a business other than that of the owner of the IP
  • used as a security for bank or other borrowings
  • used to create a distinctive identity in the market place for a business’s product or service
  • enable a company to maximize its potential for regional distribution of its products throughout the EU in a way which might not be possible in the absence of IP rights.The cost of securing IP protection whether patents, trade marks or any of the other types of IP mentioned below can only be justified if it is used to best advantage. IP must be made to add value to a business in one way or another.

The IP group at Rowlands is able to offer a range of services including:

  • review and “health check” of a company’s IP with a view to advising what steps may need to be taken to adequately protect vital company information.
  • “due diligence” reports on IP as part of a proposed company sale/purchase
  • Advice on competitive patents and opportunity/risks assessments
  • Trade marks and designs advice.
  • Negotiating and drafting licensing agreements covering all classes of IP
  • Preparation of non disclosure agreements
  • Advice on and preparation of clauses in employee service agreements and terms of employment covering ownership of IP and confidentiality obligations
  • Copyright deposit service
  • Advice on IP protection overseas
  • Advice on and preparation of trading agreements with an IP content. (including joint venture and shareholders agreements)
  • Franchise agreements
  • Representation in relation to disputes concerning IP rights including litigation, arbitration and mediation as well as expert determinations.
  • Advising on and drafting distribution and agency agreements for the UK, Europe and elsewhere
  • Advice in relation to European and US anti-trust legislation concerning IP.

 

You can contact Rowlands via email or call 0161 835 2020 to arrange a consultation with a Rowlands Intellectual Property specialist.