Practice area 04
Intellectual Property Disputes
Assessing the position honestly before escalating, negotiating where settlement serves you better, and litigating where it does not.
A dispute is worth pursuing when the evidence supports it and the likely outcome justifies the cost. We assess both before recommending any step, because the alternative is expensive.
We handle pre-dispute assessment, evidence review, settlement negotiation and pre-action correspondence, and provide litigation support and representation where we are permitted to act and properly engaged.
Clients usually come to us when
- Someone is using your work or brand and correspondence has not stopped them.
- You have received a demand, a cease-and-desist letter or a claim.
- Two parties both claim rights in the same work and neither will move.
- A settlement is being discussed and the terms need testing.
- Proceedings are contemplated and you need an honest view of the prospects.
What we can help with
- Pre-dispute assessment of the position and the realistic outcomes
- Evidence and document review
- Settlement negotiations
- Pre-action correspondence
- Litigation support and representation where permitted and appropriately engaged
- Coordination with local counsel in other jurisdictions where necessary
How we approach it
We start with an assessment of merits, evidence and proportionality. Where a negotiated outcome serves you better than a contested one, we say so. Where it does not, we set out what proceedings would involve before anything is commenced.
What we cannot promise. No litigation outcome can be guaranteed. Serving international clients does not mean we are authorised to appear before the courts of every jurisdiction: where a matter requires it, we work with appropriately qualified local counsel.
Common questions
Can you act for me if the dispute is in another country?
We can assess the matter, advise on strategy and coordinate with qualified local counsel in the relevant jurisdiction. We do not represent clients before courts where we are not authorised to appear.
I received a cease-and-desist letter. Should I reply myself?
Get it assessed first. An early reply made without advice can concede points that are difficult to recover later.
How long do these matters take?
It depends entirely on the forum and the other side. We give a realistic view for your specific matter rather than a general figure.
Related practice areas
Copyright Protection and Content Removal
Establishing what you own, acting against unauthorised use, and responding when a claim against your work is wrong.
Royalties and Withheld Funds
Reading what the statements actually say, testing it against the contract, and pursuing payments that are being withheld.
Music, Licensing and Commercial Agreements
Drafting and negotiating the agreements that decide who owns the work, who may use it, where, for how long, and on what terms.