Our Practice Areas:
Intellectual Property
Our Expertise
Often intellectual property rights represent the single most important asset that a company or an individual possesses. PARKWOOD professionals have a strong expertise in the areas of Trademark, Anti-Counterfeiting and Brand Protection, Unfair Competition and Trade, Trade Secret, Copyright, Design-Patent and Trade Dress, Trademark Portfolio Management, Right of Publicity, Internet, and Art Law.
Numerous countries belong to the World Trade Organization (“WTO”) and of the World Intellectual Property Organization (“WIPO”). The WTO Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (“TRIPS Agreement”), which came into force in 1995, and whose terms on copyright and related rights, patents, trademarks, geographical indications, industrial designs and layout-designs of integrated circuits, complements international treaties administered by WIPO.
PARKWOOD PARTNERS™ combines the efforts of our intellectual property professionals with the resources of global advisory firms to assist our clients in all aspects of intellectual property. The IP Practice Group is integrated with other PARKWOOD practice groups, such as litigation, antitrust (competition), employment, corporate & securities, tax, and banking & financial services, all of which directly relate to intellectual property matters. PARKWOOD PARTNERS™ intellectual property professionals work seamlessly with their colleagues, both inhouse and/or in affiliated offices irrespective of location or trans-border legal differences.
PARKWOOD PARTNERS™ professionals have represented clients in a full range of intellectual property matters such as patents, trademarks, copyrights, franchising and advertising. Whether there is need for the preparation and prosecution of patent applications, employing the expertise of our professionals, patent agents and technical specialists, or litigating and resolving trademark disputes, PARKWOOD PARTNERS™ is committed to maximize value and minimize potential liability.
PARKWOOD PARTNERS™ ensures that the client’s interests are protected every step of the way. When a company acquires, sells, or licenses intellectual property, tax and corporate experts should structure the transaction in such a way as to minimize the client’s domestic and foreign tax exposure.
PARKWOOD professionals advise advertisers, software developers and corporations on how to protect and exploit their creative efforts using trademarks and copyrights. Our professionals also advise on the use and licensing of various protected works and protect product name clearance, trademark registrations, defenses and/or oppositions, copyright registrations and technology and computer software licensing. We also help represent the clients’ interest in a wide range of judicial and administrative forums.
Intellectual Property Areas
Trademark
Whether it is the filing a single trademark application in the U.S. or elsewhere, overcoming a final refusal from the examining attorney or a third-party opposition, or handling complex international trademark prosecutions, we strive to secure and maintain our clients’ rights and to enhance their commercial reputation.
Anti-Counterfeiting and Brand Protection
Counterfeiting has become one of the most serious offences against companies in the domestic and global markets, and one that is increasingly easy to perpetrate. To confront this, our firm provides clients with a broad range of enforcement mechanisms, effective resources, and creative strategies at competitive rates.
Through take-down notices, cease-and-desist letters, criminal referrals, enforcement advice, U.S. and international investigations, and the support of border enforcement measures, the Intellectual Property group offers clients the most comprehensive anti-counterfeit service for stopping or minimizing the impact of copycats.
Unfair Competition and Trade
To defend themselves against the fraudulent, deceptive, or dishonest trade practice of their competitors, our professionals find fast and effective ways to combat unfair trade practices within the labyrinth of a country’s numerous laws and regulations, as detailed above.
Trade Secrets
Secret know-how, exclusive processes, and undisclosed formulas are not the only form of business information we advise on. Our professionals know that other assets, such as marketing plans, business methods, and customer lists can be equally key in determining the success of an enterprise.
To help our clients with all aspects of trade secret protection and exploitation, we provide specific counseling, and advise on ad-hoc employment contracts, nondisclosure, and licensing agreements. When necessary and unavoidable, with the assistance of local counsel, we do enforce our client’s rights through litigation.
Internet
Whether helping a small start-up venture, an individual, or a 500 Fortune company, PARKWOOD professionals provide clients with the most effective representation in the complicated and often uncharted waters of the cyberspace. For example, we assist our clients in monitoring the Internet for infringements, and register domain names and we represent clients on both ends of the acquisition process. After securing the acquisition of the domain names, we help our clients with the management of their portfolios.
Copyright
The Intellectual Property Practice Group’s professionals cover a broad array of copyright activities, that range from copyright analysis and registration to copyright enforcement and policing in different markets and countries, including the negotiation of acquisition, settlement, and license agreements for individuals or companies.