In a time when most industries are led by innovation, the design of your product could be the key to your success. Therefore it is important to protect against counterfeit and imitation products from other manufacturers.
Bird & Bird has a proven track record for its prowess in design law; we were successful in advising on the first appeal-level decision in the EU in respect of registered Community Design law.
Although in Europe we have the Designs Directive and the Community Designs Regulation, there are still considerable national variations. In addition to this, there are overlapping IP rights, registered and unregistered, that can protect designs. Therefore, effective co-ordination is key to managing your design portfolio. With leading lawyers in each of our 23 offices, we can ensure the process is seamless for our clients by providing an international service that retains a local focus, making it easier for clients to investigate their rights in different jurisdictions by using one firm.
Our services encompass everything from clearance to enforcement as well as advice relating to national and Community registered and unregistered designs and associated rights, such as those in much of the EU as to unfair competition and copyright, to advising on portfolio management strategies, which may involve looking at alternative protection solutions such as trade marks as well as anti-counterfeiting programmes. We also have a strong advisory and transactional intellectual property team and will assist clients with the creation and licensing of their designs and the design aspects of distribution agreements and licences.
What ever the issue, Bird & Bird is equipped to deliver the appropriate legal and technical solution from the early stages of development of your product to multi-jurisdictional enforcement.
Heads of Group: Morag Macdonald & Christian Harmsen