Intellectual property (IP) allows you to own things you create in a similar way to owning physical property. You can control the use of your IP, and use it to gain reward. This encourages further innovation and creativity. IP can be bought, sold, licensed, transferred or inherited.

A sale of the ownership of your IP to someone else is called an Assignment. A document transferring IP rights must be signed by or on behalf of the owner (“the assignor”) and the buyer (“the assignee”) for the transaction to be valid. The transfer of ownership should then be recorded with the Registry. After transferring ownership of your IP, the new owner will be able to stop you using the IP unless you entered into a licence letting you do so.

Another way of exploiting your IP is to keep ownership yourself but grant others the right to use it under a Licence. In return you will get a royalty payment. Arriving at the right licence, where it will operate and for how long can be hugely complicated. It is essential that your licence agreement covers all aspects of how your IP will be used. Our IP solicitors can help you get it right.

There are several different sorts of IP licence:

• Exclusive – the rights are granted to one licensee only;
• Sole – the rights are granted to only licensee but you are also allowed to use the IP;
• Non-exclusive – several licensees are entitled to use the IP;
• Sub-licence – a licensee grants a license to another person or company to use the IP

It’s your IP: enforce it!

If you suspect someone is infringing your IP then you need to do something about it. However, before making contact you should speak to our IP Solicitors because it can be dangerous to threaten legal action without intending to follow through. There are alternatives to court action and often negotiation is the key to success !

Contact our IP Solicitors

We represent clients throughout Wiltshire, Dorset, Hampshire, Somerset and nationwide. Our IP Solicitors can see you in our Salisbury, Andover, Verwood or Warminster offices. Alternatively by taking your e-mail and phone instructions, we can represent you without needing to see you.

For specialist advice, contact one of our IP Solicitors today.