Intellectual property (IP) disputes solicitors

Our specialist intellectual property disputes solicitors provide expert legal advice and strategic support to businesses facing IP conflicts, helping protect valuable assets and resolve disputes effectively.

We provide clear, commercially focused advice across a broad range of IP conflicts.

Intellectual property (IP) is often one of the most valuable assets a business owns. Whether it is a brand name, trade mark, copyright material, design, software, confidential information, or innovative technology, protecting these assets is essential to maintaining a competitive advantage. When intellectual property rights are challenged, infringed, or misused, the impact can be significant, affecting reputation, revenue, customer relationships, and future growth.

Our intellectual property disputes solicitors advise businesses, organisations, and individuals on a wide range of IP disputes and provide practical advice designed to protect your interests while resolving disputes as efficiently as possible.

We have extensive and proven experience advising on a wide range of IP disputes successfully.
We work proactively to identify opportunities for early resolution through negotiation, mediation, and other alternative resolution methods.

We take the time to understand your objectives and priorities and tailor our advice and strategy accordingly.
We provide prompt action to protect your reputation, prevent further harm, resolve disputes efficiently, and protect the value you have built in your intellectual property.

Our IP disputes expertise

Trade mark disputes

We advise on disputes involving registered and unregistered trade marks, including brand infringement, passing off claims, opposition matters, and challenges involving the unauthorised use of business names, logos and branding.

Copyright disputes

We assist with copyright infringement claims relating to written content, images, designs, software, marketing materials, and creative works, including disputes over ownership and unauthorised reproduction.

Design right disputes

We advise businesses on protecting and enforcing design rights where products, packaging, or visual designs have been copied or used without permission.

Confidential information and trade secret disputes

We help businesses protect commercially sensitive information, including disputes involving misuse of confidential data, know-how, customer information and internal processes.

Patent disputes

We support businesses involved in patent-related disagreements, including infringement issues, ownership disputes, and licensing matters where specialist technical and commercial advice is required.

IP licensing disputes

We advise on disagreements arising from intellectual property licences, including breaches of licence terms, royalty disputes and interpretation of contractual obligations.

IP litigation and dispute resolution

We represent clients in negotiations, mediation, and court proceedings where litigation is necessary to protect intellectual property rights.

Intellectual property dispute FAQs

What types of intellectual property can be involved in a dispute?

Intellectual property disputes can involve a range of intellectual assets that businesses and individuals rely on to create value and maintain a competitive advantage. Common areas of dispute include trade marks, where disagreements may arise over brand names, logos, or other signs used to distinguish goods and services; copyright, which can involve copied content, software, designs, images, or creative works and confidential information or trade secrets, where sensitive business information has been misused or disclosed without permission.

Disputes can also involve registered and unregistered design rights, patents relating to inventions and technical innovations, and disagreements over intellectual property agreements such as licensing arrangements.

What should I do if someone is using my trade mark without permission?

If someone is using your trade mark without permission, it is important to take advice from an intellectual property disputes solicitor as soon as possible. Unauthorised use of your trade mark can affect your brand reputation, customer relationships, and commercial position, so taking prompt action can help prevent further damage.

Our solicitors can help assess whether trade mark infringement has occurred, review the strength of your rights, and advise on the most effective way to respond. This may include contacting the other party to negotiate a resolution, sending a formal letter before action, or taking further legal steps where necessary. We will work with you to understand your objectives and develop a strategy designed to protect your brand and resolve the dispute as efficiently as possible.

When should I contact an intellectual property disputes solicitor?

You should seek advice from an intellectual property disputes solicitor as soon as you become aware of a potential dispute. Early legal advice can help you understand your rights, assess the strength of your position, preserve important evidence, and explore options for resolving the matter before costs and disruption increase. Acting quickly can also be important because delays may affect your ability to enforce certain rights.

What evidence is needed for an intellectual property dispute?

The evidence required will depend on the nature of the dispute but may include ownership documents, registrations, contracts, correspondence, examples of infringement, sales information, marketing materials, and records showing how intellectual property has been created or used. Gathering and preserving evidence early is important when preparing a strong legal position.

Please contact us as soon as possible so we can draw on our experience to help formulate your position, assess your options, and manage the dispute effectively.

How long do intellectual property disputes take to resolve?

The time is takes to conclude an intellectual property dispute depends on the complexity of the matter, the type of rights involved, the approach taken by the parties, and whether court proceedings are required. Some disputes can be resolved through early negotiation, while more complex litigation can take significantly longer.

Who we help with IP disputes

We advise a wide range of clients on dispute resolution matters, providing tailored legal support to protect their interests and achieve their objectives.

Businesses protecting valuable brands and assets

We support businesses of all sizes. Whether they are protecting an established brand or safeguarding new innovations, we provide practical advice focused on protecting the value of a business’s IP.

Companies facing allegations of IP infringement

We advise businesses that have been accused of infringing another party’s intellectual property rights. We help assess the strength of the allegations, understand potential risks, and develop a strategy to defend their position and minimise disruption.

Technology and innovation-led businesses

Where intellectual property is central to success, including those operating in technology, software, engineering, and creative industries, we help resolve disputes involving patents, software, licensing arrangements, confidential information, and ownership of innovative ideas.

Owners and individuals seeking to enforce their IP rights

We assist individuals, founders, and business owners who need to take action where their intellectual property has been copied, misused, or exploited without permission.

Contact us

If you have any questions or would like advice on a related matter, please complete the form and one of our experts will be in touch as soon as possible.

Rather give us a call:

0118 959 7711

Why use our IP dispute solicitors?

Specialist intellectual property disputes expertise

Our solicitors have extensive experience advising businesses on complex IP disputes involving trade marks, copyright, confidential information, designs, patents, and licensing arrangements.

Focused on efficient resolutions

We understand that disputes can be disruptive, costly, and time-consuming. Our team works proactively to identify opportunities for early resolution through negotiation, mediation, and other alternative dispute resolution methods wherever appropriate, helping to minimise expense and uncertainty.

We are a full-service law firm

Boyes Turner is recognised by Chambers UK and The Legal 500 as a leading law firm. As a full-service practice, we can draw on expertise from across our corporate, commercial, employment, property, and private client teams, providing comprehensive support.

Our recent work

Advising software and services company in respect of potential issues arising from the intended development of a new software product, including contractual and intellectual property considerations.
Acting for multinational information and analytics company in connection with a dispute regarding the alleged use of confidential information by a former senior employee.