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IP Advice and Combating Counterfeits In a world where very often intellectual property rights are the main asset of a business it is important to ensure they are adequately protected and enforced. IP litigation differs from general commercial litigation in a number of ways and is generally more complex. For that reason it is important that if you consider a third party may be infringing your intellectual property rights whether copyright, design rights, patents or trade marks you instruct specialist IP litigators to advise you on the matter. Seeking to take matters into your own hands can in some instances put you at risk of a claim being made against you for issuing what are known as 'groundless threats of infringement proceedings' or even a defamation or trade libel claim. DIY threats can turn out to be very expensive!
Halliwells provides some key considerations and ways to protect your brand as you build it. Brand Building		3 years on from the introduction of new design laws Halliwells explore the impact the changes have had in practice for designs in UK and European. Design Rights - the new Super Right?

Patents Know-How	Registered Designs Unregistered Designs Copyrights	Registered Trade Marks Passing Off Rights Domain Names
Click on any of the links above for more information

COUNTERFEIT & UNAUTHORISED PRODUCTS...

Counterfeiting is estimated at between 8-10% of world trade each year or around $200billion. It cost the UK industry alone over £9billion in 2004 (source: Alliance Against IP Theft) and affects brands in all categories from clothing to confectionery. Not only are profits lost from potential customers buying counterfeit products instead of yours, but issues such as the quality or method of distribution of counterfeit or unauthorised product can severely damage your brand equity and jeopardise future sales. To stamp down on counterfeiting and unauthorised products - and potentially to substantially benefit from it - it is vital to take action, which may culminate in criminal and/or civil prosecution. Taking advice from a legal partner who is an expert in counterfeit, fraud and unauthorised product litigation is vital. As well as helping to assess initial options & feasibility they will be instrumental in ensuring you do everything to help your eventual action.

Consider the processes involved in identifying, justifying and taking action against counterfeiting and brand abuse, along with tips to help you. VIEW KEY PROCESSES TO ADDRESS COUNTERFEIT

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