IP Asset Evaluation and Protection
Properly identifying and protecting your intellectual property can add substantial value and marketability to your business. Through Kegler, Brown, Hill & Ritter’s IP Evaluation Program, our attorneys can help you and your business identify often undervalued intellectual property assets and take the necessary steps to protect those interests through:
- Trademark/Service Mark Registration
- Copyright Registration
- Effective Employment and Non-Disclosure Policies
- Trade Secret and Proprietary Information Protection Policies
- Confidentiality and Non-Competition Agreements
- Patent Preparation and Prosecution
For more information regarding Kegler Brown’s IP Evaluation Program, contact Robert Schuler, Steve Barsotti, or Jamie Pingor.
Strategic Market Planning and Due Diligence
Regardless of the industry, the proliferation of electronic communications has forever altered the way in which we conduct business. Whereas markets were once confined by the practical limitations of time and geography, the speed with which information now passes has virtually eliminated geographic restrictions in commerce.
Today, the world is your market.
Working within this reality, our attorneys understand the ever-increasing value of effective advertising and distinctive branding in maintaining and expanding your market share.
At Kegler, Brown, Hill & Ritter, our Intellectual Property practice area works directly with your marketing professionals to evaluate the legal landscape before your company sinks money into a new marketing campaign.
Our involvement early in this process can help you assess the risks and make informed strategic marketing decisions, which will help your company save significant time and expense down the line and avoid the specter (and cost) of future litigation.
IP Licensing Contracts and Strategic Business Planning
An ounce of planning can save your business substantial legal fees down the road. Kegler, Brown, Hill & Ritter has significant experience in drafting, negotiating and evaluating IP licensing agreements. We can also help you structure organizations and transactions in order to maximize return on investment. Specifically, the Intellectual Property practice area can advise you with respect to:
- Copyright Licensing Contracts
- Trademark/Service Mark Licensing Contracts
- Software Licensing Contracts
- Software Maintenance Contracts
- Business Formation/Organization
- Strategic Tax Planning
- Patent Licensing Contracts
Franchising
The franchise format has become a dominating business model over recent years. In addition to providing general advice regarding business matters for all types of entities, the attorneys at Kegler, Brown, Hill & Ritter specialize in issues surrounding the franchise format and have represented both franchisees and franchisors in handling:
- Franchisor-Franchisee Relations
- Franchise Contract Preparation and Negotiation
- Federal and State Regulatory Compliance
IP Investigations & Litigation
Although litigation is always preferably avoided, if you find yourself in a dispute over issues of intellectual property, either as a plaintiff or a defendant, our attorneys have significant experience litigating such issues and have successfully resolved cases on the regional and national levels involving:
- Patent Infringement
- Trade Secret Misappropriation
- Copyright Infringement
- Trademark/Service Mark Infringement
- Domain Name or “Cybersquatting” Disputes
- Unfair Competition
- Right of Publicity
- Software Contract Disputes