Intellectual property lawyers for businesses on copyright law and protection of IP
It’s vital to protect your intellectual property against copyright infringements to maintain your competitive advantage. Butlers Business Lawyers can proactively protect your intellectual property, enforce your rights against those that may infringe them and act on your behalf if an infringement claim has been made against you.
What is Intellectual Property Law?
“Intellectual property” refers to creations of the mind. This includes things such as inventions, names, designs, symbols, images and literary works. When you put time and effort into developing a brand, product, service or creative work, intellectual property law provides a means of protecting your exclusive use of those ideas.
You have legal rights to protect your intellectual property against misuse by your competitors.
Want to talk to our experienced intellectual property lawyers in Newcastle, the Hunter or Sydney? Call us on (02) 4929 7002, email us or complete an enquiry form.
Want to talk to our experienced intellectual property lawyers in Newcastle, the Hunter or Sydney? Call us on (02) 4929 7002, email us or complete an enquiry form.
There are a few different types of intellectual property rights:
- Copyright is an automatic right that exists in creative works and will protect the way an idea is represented
- Trademarks give you an exclusive right to use your brand name or logo in respect to the goods and services you sell
- Registered designs are the physical forms or features of manufactured products
Contracts can also be used to protect intellectual property. This is especially important when independent contractors create intellectual property for your business.
How can the solicitors at Butlers help as you intellectual property lawyers?
Our solicitors are highly experienced in intellectual property law and act for clients in a variety of industries.
We can assist in the following areas:
Brand protection – our solicitors can help you protect your unique brand and image from competitors both in Australia and overseas.
We can:
- Conduct searches and register trademarks and designs
- Advise on products and images
- Conduct an intellectual property audit to assess the level of protection of your current intellectual property portfolio
- Draft or review agreements to protect intellectual property, such as non-disclosure agreements and agreements with independent contractors
- Review intellectual property protection before a business sale
- Oppose the registration of a similar trademark by a competitor
Enforcement and recovery – we assist businesses and individuals enforce their intellectual property rights against infringing parties. We do this through negotiations, and, if necessary, litigation. We have extensive experience in the following areas:
- Stopping infringing parties from using your intellectual property without your permission
- Seeking compensation for you for unauthorised use of your intellectual property
Commercial advice – we help individuals and businesses ensure that they are getting the most out of their intellectual property. We advise clients on privacy, strategic licencing and can provide advice on franchising.
Contact our experienced team of solicitors for assistance in protecting, maintaining or defending your intellectual property rights.
Testimonial
“I am currently working with Butlers regarding the effect of a patent for mining equipment. In the past, Butlers have assisted me with registering trademarks to protect my intellectual property. I feel safe knowing that the Butlers team are highly experienced in this area and take a practical approach to my legal matters.”
“We are an importer and wholesaler with substantial intellectual property interests in a range of Australian brands. Butlers are assisting us with negotiating with an international business for mutual use of a similar trademark in Australia and worldwide. Butlers have advised us in the past on other intellectual property matters. The team is highly skilled in this area, and we would recommend seeking their expertise.”
Related Articles
- Full Federal Court Weighs in on Patentability of Computer Tech
- Opposing Trade Marks: What Victoria Beckham’s Case Taught Us
- Branding and Intellectual Property: What Risks are Associated with Buying or Selling your Business
- It’s Your Idea… But do you Legally Own it?
- Intellectual Property Protection for Businesses: What Are Your Options?
- Copyright Guide – Protecting yourself and your work from legal dramas
- Can you use a competitor’s trademark in Google AdWords?
- Conducting an Intellectual Property Audit
- Intellectual Property: Protecting your competitive advantage
- Understanding Trademarks: Common Questions
- ‘Champagne Jayne’ toasts her success: Australian Trademark Law Update
Find out more about our complete range of legal services:
Asset Protection | Blended Wills | Business Structuring | Buying or Selling a Business | Commercial Litigation | Commercial & Retail Leasing | Competition Law | Complex Wills | Contract Law | Debt Recovery | Employment Law | Estate Planning | Franchising | Insolvency | Tax Law