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Keeping ownership up to date

By John Rule

Mergers, acquisitions, divestments and other corporate transactions can lead to changes in ownership of IP. Where only small numbers of patents, patent applications, and other IP rights are transferred, recording the change in ownership can be relatively easy to handle. Even in these circumstances the process can be costly and time consuming if good practice is not followed.

In many jurisdictions it is a requirement that official registers of patents, trade marks and registered designs are kept up to date. Failure to do so can lead to negative consequences. For example, in the UK, if a new proprietor of a UK patent or new exclusive licensee of a patent fails to register their right in the patent within a certain time frame, in infringement proceedings they may suffer from not being able to have costs or expenses awarded in their favour.     

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Protecting your goods and services as your business grows

By Elizabeth Coulson.

As businesses grow, the range of products or services commercially marketed may expand beyond the goods and services originally listed in trade mark registrations obtained to protect those goods and services. Additionally, as plans are made to enter into new commercial markets in new territories, existing trade mark registrations may not serve to protect your business. Does your company review its trade mark rights to ensure that your business' current portfolio of products and services is actually protected?

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IP protection strategies

By John Rule.

Whether you are setting up your company now, or you have been trading for years, Having an IP audit conducted that considers whether the IP assets of your business are adequately protected can be very valuable.

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Dont fall foul of the groundless threats provisions

By John Rule.

If you find that someone is copying your invention or brand, it is usually a great temptation to throw the legal book at them. However the law attempts to protect businesses from vexacious law suits and damaging threats by providing protection for companies that are unjustifiably threatened with legal action.  

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