CLS looks for opportunities to help clients identify, develop and monetize intellectual property (IP) assets. IP includes trademarks (brand names, logos, jingles), trade dress and design patents (packaging, decorative features, e.g., shape of the Coca-Cola bottle), utility patents (useful devices or processes, such as a plastic bag dispenser, or a process for recycling plastics); copyrights (magazines, software); trade secrets (confidential, competitively advantageous information, e.g., the Coca-Cola recipe).

Services Include:

Asset Development

o Audits – Identify existing IP, establish internal client procedures to identify and protect innovation

o Trade name selection and registration – Company name availability and conflict resolution

o Trade/service mark prosecution – Assess strength of marks, prosecute applications

o Copyright registration – Register works, provide guidance/plans for self-service

o Patentability assessments, application preparation and prosecution

Transactions

o Licensing – Drafting, compliance monitoring and assessments

o Acquisitions – Drafting purchase or sale documents, identify IP assets for purchase

o Joint ventures – Research and/or joint development projects

o Diligence – Assess strength, status or title of IP assets

o Recording – Assignments/transfers, name changes

Risk Avoidance Services

o Clearance studies – Will new product or trademark infringe another’s IP rights

o Audits, acquisitions or licensing to obtain right to use

o Adherence to statutory provisions to limit liability

Disputes/Litigation

o Cease and desist letters

o Ownership disputes

o Licensing/royalty disputes

o Infringement disputes