Intellectual Property Solicitors London
Your Specialists For Intellectual Property Services.
Lana James
Intellectual Property Team
Intellectual Property Solicitors
Your intellectual property is often your most valuable business asset. Whether you have built a brand, created original work, invented a new product, or developed proprietary software, protecting those rights from the outset is essential. At Freeman Harris, our intellectual property solicitors in London advise businesses and individuals on registering, protecting, and enforcing their IP rights.
We handle trade mark registration and disputes, copyright protection, patent matters, design rights, and passing off claims. We also advise on IP licensing and the commercial exploitation of creative and technical assets, helping you extract value from what you have built.
Our team acts for clients across a wide range of sectors, from technology and media to fashion, retail, and manufacturing.
Our Intellectual Property Services
Copyright Protection
Advice on ownership, licensing, and enforcement of copyright in creative works, including content, software, images, and music.
Passing Off Claims
Protecting your unregistered brand reputation against misrepresentation by competitors trading on your goodwill.
Patent Registration
Guidance on protecting inventions and new technologies through the patent application process.
Design Rights
Registering and protecting the appearance of your products, including applications to the IPO and EUIPO.
Trade Mark Registration
Registering your brand name, logo, or slogan as a UK or international trade mark to give you enforceable exclusive rights.
Trade Mark Infringement
Opposing conflicting trade mark applications and enforcing your registered rights against infringing third parties.
Understanding Intellectual Property
Intellectual Property (IP) Law is an umbrella term for intangible ideas and creations of the mind, which then take physical form in some way, such as trademarks, designs, patents and literary works. The idea itself is not protected by Intellectual Property rights in the UK, but the physical creation resulting from the idea can be protected in appropriate countries/regions.
Why Choose Freeman Harris as Your Intellectual Property Solicitor?
Practical, commercial advice. We explain IP rights in plain terms and focus on what matters for your business. Registrations are not pursued for their own sake; we advise on what protection is worth having.
End-to-end support. From initial rights audit and registration through to monitoring, licensing, and enforcement, we handle the full lifecycle of your IP assets.
Experience across all major IP assets. We advise on brands, software, creative content, product designs, and inventions, for startups, SMEs, and growing businesses.
Transparent pricing. Fixed fees for registration work. Clear estimates provided for dispute and enforcement matters before we begin.
How We Work With You
Step 1: Rights Audit. We assess your existing IP assets, identify gaps in protection, and advise on which registrations will give you the most effective commercial protection.
Step 2: Registration. We manage the application process for trade marks, designs, or patents, handling correspondence with the IPO, EUIPO, or WIPO on your behalf.
Step 3: Monitoring and Protection. We advise on watching services that alert you to conflicting applications or potential infringements, so you can act before your rights are diluted.
Step 4: Enforcement. If your rights are infringed, we advise on the fastest and most cost-effective route to resolution, from a cease and desist letter through to court proceedings.
Want to protect your intellectual property? Call 0207 790 7311 or email contact@freemanharris.co.uk for a no-obligation initial conversation.
Intellectual Property Team
Talha Fazlani
LawyerTalha specialises in intellectual property law, assisting clients with trade mark protection, copyright, licensing agreements and intellectual property disputes. He works closely with businesses to safeguard their brands and maximise the value of their intellectual assets.
Intellectual Property FAQs
- Do I need to register my trade mark?
Registration is not mandatory, but it gives you exclusive rights across the UK (or the EU for a European Union trade mark) and makes enforcement significantly easier and cheaper. Without registration, you can rely on passing off, but this requires proving an established reputation and is more difficult and expensive to pursue.
- How long does trade mark registration take?
UK trade mark registration typically takes four to six months if there are no objections or third-party oppositions. The application is examined, and if accepted, published for a two-month opposition period before registration is granted.
- Who owns copyright in work created by an employee?
Under UK copyright law, copyright in work created by an employee in the course of their employment is owned by the employer, unless there is a written agreement to the contrary. For work created by freelancers or contractors, copyright remains with the creator unless it has been formally assigned in writing.
- What is the difference between a trade mark and copyright?
A trade mark protects brand identifiers such as names, logos, and slogans, and is a registered right. Copyright protects original creative works including text, images, music, and software, and arises automatically on creation without registration. The two can overlap, for example in a logo that is both a registered trade mark and an original artistic work protected by copyright.
- Can I stop someone using a similar brand name?
If you have a registered trade mark, you can take action for infringement if another party uses an identical or confusingly similar sign for the same or similar goods or services. If your mark is unregistered, you may have a passing off claim provided you can demonstrate an established reputation, a misrepresentation, and resulting damage.
- What is an IP licence?
An IP licence allows another party to use your intellectual property rights, typically in exchange for a fee or royalty. Licences can be exclusive, sole, or non-exclusive. A well-drafted licence agreement protects your ownership and sets clear boundaries on how your IP can be used.
- How do I protect software?
Software is primarily protected by copyright, which arises automatically. Database rights may also apply to structured data. Patent protection for software is available in limited circumstances where the software produces a technical effect going beyond normal computer processing. We advise on the most appropriate combination of protections for your specific product.
- What is a cease and desist letter?
A cease and desist letter is a formal written notice to an infringing party demanding that they stop the infringing activity, usually within a specified timeframe, failing which legal proceedings will be issued. It is often the first step in IP enforcement and can resolve matters without the need for court action.
Contact our Intellectual Property team
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