Intellectual Property

Whether you are a multinational enterprise managing a global brand and innovation portfolio or an emerging business yet to develop a formal intellectual property strategy, your IP is likely among your most significant commercial assets. Trade marks, designs, copyright, confidential know-how, patentable inventions, proprietary databases and creative works - these are the intangible assets that differentiate your business in the marketplace. They warrant careful identification, robust legal protection and a considered approach to commercial exploitation.

For over 17 consecutive years, our firm has been ranked Band 1 for Intellectual Property in Northern Ireland, reflecting our market-leading capability on both contentious and non-contentious matters.

Businesses across all sectors experience growing IP exposure:

  • Online brand misuse and counterfeiting accelerating through digital channels
  • Multi-jurisdictional disputes requiring coordinated enforcement strategies
  • Complex transactional IP issues arising during M&A, licensing, collaborations and restructuring
  • Limited internal IP resources creating bottlenecks around commercialisation
  • Increasing need for robust trade secret and confidential information governance
  • The interface between new technologies such as artificial intelligence and IP rights ownership

These challenges carry real reputational, financial and operational risk - and the cost of reacting after something goes wrong is almost always greater than getting proper advice early. Our Intellectual Property team delivers end-to-end support across the full IP lifecycle, from creation and protection through to enforcement and commercialisation.

Our clients range from international blue-chip companies to established local businesses who rely on us because we provide:

  • A proven track record of successful outcomes across contentious and non-contentious matters
  • Deep technical capability paired with strategic commercial insight
  • Strong enforcement results, including wins in urgent and high-profile disputes
  • Robust IP frameworks that support expansion, investment and innovation

Whether you need to protect, enforce or commercialise your IP assets, our team is ready to support you at every stage of the IP lifecycle.

  • Trade mark and design prosecution
  • Trade mark opposition, defence and cancellation
  • Anti-counterfeiting, customs notices and online brand protection
  • Domain name recovery and enforcement
  • IP audits, due diligence and portfolio management

  • IP rights licensing, cross-licensing and ownership transfer
  • Software development and licensing
  • R&D collaborations and joint ventures
  • Franchising, sponsorship and merchandising
  • IP aspects of corporate transactions, investments and restructurings
  • Confidential information and trade secrets governance

We have extensive experience representing clients before the High Court of Northern Ireland in relation to:

  • Trade mark, copyright, design and patent infringement
  • Passing-off actions
  • Urgent injunctive relief
  • Database rights and trade secret disputes
  • Multi-jurisdictional litigation

Our clients range from international blue‑chip companies to established local businesses who rely on us because we provide:

  • A proven track record of successful outcomes across contentious and non‑contentious matters
  • Deep technical capability paired with strategic commercial insight
  • Strong enforcement results, including wins in urgent and high‑profile disputes
  • Robust IP frameworks that support expansion, investment and innovation

This combination of legal excellence and commercial clarity consistently delivers favourable outcomes for our clients.

Whether you need to protect, enforce or commercialise your IP assets, our team is ready to support you at every stage of the IP lifecycle.

Experience

  • Acting for a blue-chip social media company

    In defending against a claim for copyright infringement before the High Court of Northern Ireland.

  • Instructed by a leading sports organisation

    In the management of its IP portfolio and negotiation of several high-value agreements, including various sponsorship agreements and a stadium naming rights agreement.

  • Instructed by a household name cosmetics brand

    In the exploitation and commercialisation of its IP rights through several agreements with high-profile brand ambassadors and influencers.

  • Acting for an established whiskey distillery

    In a trade mark infringement dispute before the High Court of Northern Ireland, UK Intellectual Property Office, and the Intellectual Property Enterprise Court.

  • Instructed by a global child paraphernalia brand

    In its trade mark and design prosecution work at various intellectual property registries, and advising on its design rights, brand licences, and franchising deals.

  • One of the largest scientific research organisations in Northern Ireland

    In the drafting and negotiation of a multitude of collaboration and research agreements, each of which involved complex IP arrangements.

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