Intellectual Property Law · European Union
Protect What You Build With an IP Lawyer Who Knows Your Field
A patent filed in the wrong name, a trademark registered too late, a design copied with no record of your rights — intellectual property is won or lost in the paperwork long before a dispute reaches court. We match you, free of charge, with a vetted IP lawyer who handles copyright, trademarks, patents and designs across Europe every day, from first filing through licensing, enforcement and defence.
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- IP specialists across the EU & EEA
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Who this is for
If your business runs on ideas, your rights need to be more than an afterthought
Intellectual property is the legal framework that protects the things your business is built on — the brand name customers recognise, the software or product design you invented, the content you publish and the invention nobody else has made yet. Whether you are a founder protecting a startup’s name and logo, a creative professional licensing your work, an inventor preparing a patent filing, or a growing company defending its market against copycats, each type of IP has its own registration route, scope and territorial limits. Across Europe these rules are administered partly at national level and partly through EU-wide systems, so the same idea can enjoy different protection depending on where and how it is registered. Getting this right early is far cheaper than fixing it later.
Why ideas go unprotected
Most IP is lost through delay and paperwork,
not because the idea was weak
Rights depend on filing first, in the right place, in the right form — and a misstep can be hard to undo.
Registered too late
In most countries, rights in a name, design or invention depend on being first to file. Wait until a competitor launches, and you may find your own mark or product is already blocked by an earlier registration you cannot easily overturn.
Wrong scope or territory
A filing that covers the wrong classes, the wrong countries, or the wrong description can leave the core of your business exposed. Many owners only discover the gap when someone else moves into it.
Copied with no clear record
Without a dated record of creation and ownership, proving a work or design is yours becomes slow and uncertain. Disputes over authorship and assignments routinely stall or sink otherwise winnable claims.
What you get
An IP lawyer who protects the full range of your rights
We match you with intellectual property specialists who work across copyright, trademarks, patents and designs in your sector.
Rights audit
Your lawyer maps what you actually own — names, logos, code, designs, content and know-how — then tells you which are already protected, which are exposed, and what to register first for the strongest, cheapest result.
Registration strategy
Get a clear, priority-ordered filing plan across the territories that matter to your business, with the right classes and descriptions chosen to avoid rejection and future disputes.
Licensing & contracts
Assignment, licensing and non-disclosure agreements are drafted so ownership and revenue stay with you — whether you are licensing your work out or bringing contractors’ work in.
Enforcement & defence
If someone copies you, or you are accused of copying, your lawyer assesses the strength of the claim, sends the right notice, and represents you in opposition or court proceedings where needed.
Coverage
IP lawyers across Europe
Intellectual property is territorial — the same idea can be protected in one country and not another — so the right lawyer is one who works with the registry systems relevant to your markets, whether national, EU-wide or international. We match cases across the following countries and beyond:
Frequently asked
Intellectual property — common questions
What does an intellectual property lawyer actually do?
An IP lawyer helps you identify, register, license and enforce your intellectual property — trademarks, patents, copyright and designs. This includes running searches, preparing filings, drafting agreements and representing you in disputes. They confirm which rights apply to your situation and handle the legal work involved.
Do I need to register my intellectual property?
Some rights, like copyright, generally arise automatically when a work is created, while trademarks, patents and designs usually require registration to be enforceable. Registration is territorial, so what is protected in one country may not be in another. A lawyer can confirm what you already own and what still needs filing.
How long does it take to register a trademark or patent in Europe?
Timelines vary significantly by country and by the type of right — from a few months for straightforward filings to several years for complex patent examinations. EU-wide systems such as the EUIPO offer single-application routes, but the exact schedule depends on your case. Your lawyer can give a realistic estimate once they have reviewed your situation.
What is the difference between a trademark, patent and copyright?
A trademark protects a distinctive sign such as a name or logo used in trade; a patent protects a new, technical invention; copyright protects original creative works such as text, code, images and music. Each has different requirements, durations and registration routes, and a single product often involves several of them at once.
Can I protect my brand across all of Europe with one application?
Yes, in many cases an EU trade mark (EUTM) filed with the EUIPO can cover all EU member states through a single application. However, the system has its own rules and limitations, and national marks are sometimes more appropriate. A lawyer can advise which route best fits your budget and market.
What should I do if someone is copying my work or brand?
Act promptly but carefully. Gather dated evidence of your rights and the alleged copying, then speak to a lawyer before contacting the other party. Sending the wrong notice can create legal risk, and many countries have deadlines for opposition or enforcement — so early, informed action matters.
Free case review
Your ideas deserve more than a guess
Tell us what you’ve built and we’ll connect you with an IP lawyer who handles cases like yours across Europe every day — free of charge, with no obligation to hire.