Services

Patents

A patent is the right granted to a patent holder, for a limited period, to exclude others from commercially exploiting his invention without his authorisation. It is the best way of protecting technological innovation.

Being the holder of a valid patent increases the strength position on the market and increases the possibility of success in legal actions against those who copy the protected invention.

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Freedom to operate searches

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Patentability searches

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Drafting patent applications

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Filing and prosecuting Italian, European and international patent applications

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Patent watching services

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Oppositions and appeals before the European Patent Office (EPO)

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Payment of maintenance fees

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Filing design applications in Italy, EU and worldwide

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Patent litigation, in collaboration with other legal professionals

Design

Design protection covers the ornamental or aesthetic appearance of a product, a part of a product or an ornament. The technical function of a product is not included in the protection, it can instead be protected by means of a patent.

An industrial design may consist of three-dimensional features, such as the shape of an article, or two dimensional features, such as patterns, lines or colors.Design protection is becoming increasingly important as the form often plays a fundamental role in the success of a product.  The shape is what attracts the consumer and is therefore remembered and sought after over time.

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Infringement and validity opinions

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Renewal of design registrations

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Pre filing searches

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Advising on unregistered design rights

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Filing design applications in Italy, EU and worldwide

Trademarks

A trademark is a sign capable of distinguishing the goods or services of one enterprise from those of other enterprises.  This sign may encompass one or more words or letters or numbers, a shape, or a combination thereof. It is also possible, in some cases, to register colors, slogans and melodies as trademarks.

The trademark has enormous importance in the success of a business. Indeed, in addition to the main function of “origin”, as the trademark identifies the origin of a product or service from a certain company, the trademark also serves to spread and increase the reputation of the company and the consumer confidence. For those who start a business, therefore, registering their own trademark has a really strategic importance as it gives the owner of a sign the perpetual exclusive right, i.e. the right to prohibit its use, imitation and exploitation by unauthorized third parties. Finally, registration of the trademark allows for faster and more economic defensive actions.

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Pre-filing searches

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Filing applications to register trademarks, prosecuting applicationsto registration

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Filing and handling oppositions

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Renewals of trademark registrations

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Advising on alternatives for brand protection including unregistered rights

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Watching services

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Advising on infringement and validity

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Support in litigation