Eversheds International

Intellectual Property

Technology and patents

Our IP lawyers assist in all aspects of technology, from whether and how to obtain patent protection through to advising on patent portfolio management, exploitation (whether through licensing or joint ventures) and enforcement, both in the UK and worldwide.

We have particular experience in advising on the ownership of patents and assisting clients on product clearance, that is, the management of the risk that a new product line will infringe the patent of a third party, and act for clients involved in patent infringement litigation. We also advise and comment on proposals to develop the legal basis for patent protection.

We also advise on and draft a range of research agreements relating to the creation of IP. These range from applied research contracts between industrial companies through to more 'blue skies' research under various programmes, such as the European Framework Programmes. We prepare technology licences for the commercialisation of patents, software and other technology, taking into account and advising on the Technology Transfer Block Exemption.

Main services in this area include:

advising on patent filing strategies and the building and maintaining a patent portfolio
advising on and drafting research contracts, confidentiality agreements, exploitation agreements, technology licensing, joint venture agreements
advising on anti-trust issues relating to technology commercialisation
acquisitions and disposals of individual patents or patent portfolios
enforcement of patents through UK or overseas courts or by alternative dispute resolution
risk assessments in relation to patent infringement on new product launches
actions for unjustified threats of patent proceedings
advising as to ownership of patents and technology with respect to employees or in research and development projects or collaboration agreements.