We advise clients on the protection enforcement and exploitation of their innovations
Our patents and trade secrets team advises clients on all aspects of protection strategies for patentable and unpatentable technologies. A significant part of this is the protection of know-how, not only through patents (where possible or where patents would not result in making trade secrets public) but also through standard terms to be included in employee and consultant contracts. These terms are aimed at maintaining control over confidential and sensitive know-how and minimising the risk of ex-employees setting up in competition. We also advise on the enforcement and commercial exploitation of patents and know-how, including freedom to operate opinions to ensure that clients have freedom to conduct their businesses and exploit their intellectual property while navigating the rights of third parties.
Further, our Middle East practice offers a full patent filing and prosecution service. In dealing with patent applications, it is essential to combine a strong understanding of local practices and procedures with the international requirements of the overseas office that is examining the application. It is also essential to be able to deal with the application at a technical level in the local language. Accordingly, we offer this service in Arabic, in which the application is generally filed and granted, and in English in which it is generally examined.