Intellectual Property
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Our law firm – committed to promoting and protecting your intangible assets
The growing complexity of the legal framework surrounding intellectual property requires an expert approach, in a context determined by innovation and creativity.
The areas to be addressed include:
- assessing the feasibility of your project (availability or freedom to operate study, patentability, validity of your trademarks and designs/models under development…)
- establishing, developing and defending your intellectual property rights
- obtain measures to prohibit any infringement of your intellectual property rights or other intangible assets of your company (company name, product names, domain names)
- growing and preserving your intangible assets
A team ready to answer all your questions
Our team, which specialises in all areas of intellectual and industrial property law, is on hand to provide you with pragmatic and effective support to meet all your needs.
For instance, we can protect your ownership of technological and artistic property created by your employees and service providers and guarantee their protection. We work with you to develop legally and fiscally secure contractual operating arrangements and help you adopt means of dealing with counterfeiting and acts of unfair and parasitic competition.
Recognised experience in complex issues
Our team of lawyers offers you a comprehensive service, from auditing of your company’s intellectual assets to assistance and representation in relation to disputes (patent, trademark, copyright, etc.), registration and monitoring of your intellectual property assets, negotiation and drafting of your licensing, sale or coexistence agreements.
Our expertise is particularly recognised in complex issues, going beyond the strict framework of intellectual property. With this in mind, our experts work in close collaboration with lawyers from other specialist areas (taxation, customs, competition, etc.) to guarantee you comprehensive, appropriate and effective support in all circumstances. Thanks to the CMS network of 150 intellectual property lawyers, we regularly handle international cases, including proceedings involving several European countries.
Quotes 2023
The Legal 500 Industry focus : IT and internet | The team at CMS Francis Lefebvre is equipped to advise its significant and longstanding client base on complex regulatory matters, in particular. The group assists with the drafting and negotiation of IT contracts, advises on the day-to-day operations and launching of innovative services involving e-commerce, digital platform regulation and consumer law issues, and handles the negotiation of partnership agreements concerning high-profile projects. Practice head Anne-Laure Villedieu is a specialist in IT technology and data privacy. |
The Legal 500 Media and Entertainment : music
| Anne-Laure Villedieu heads the broader IP and media team at CMS Francis Lefebvre and counsel Florentin Sanson leads the music offering. The team has a niche focus on podcasts, advising renowned clients on domestic regulations in this area. Additionally, it is experienced in advising on the adaptation of musical content for various media forms, as well as on the impact of Covid-19 on live show productions. The team is also equipped to act on cross-border cases involving such matters as the alleged copyright infringement of lyrical works. |
The Legal 500 Intellectual property : copyright | CMS Francis Lefebvre is able to leverage its international presence to handle cross-border copyright matters, including collective copyright management in music, TV rights clearances, anti-piracy and pre-litigation infringement actions. Florentin Sanson‘s team assists clients from the film and TV, technology and music sectors, advising on copyright contracts and protections for firms and individuals, in addition to disputes and enforcement actions. |
The Legal 500 Intellectual property: Trade marks and designs | The IP team at CMS Francis Lefebvre handles contentious trade mark work, ranging from infringement cases to cancellation, revocation and opposition actions, while also managing client’s IP portfolios and assisting with IP rights licenses and assignments. Companies from the cosmetics, automotive, pharmaceuticals, media and leisure industries rely on the firm for trade mark advice. Anne-Laure Villedieu and Jean-Baptiste Thiénot head up the firm’s IP team, with Sabine Rigaud leading the trade mark and designs sub-team. |
The Legal 500 Intellectual propety : patents | With a particular focus on the life sciences, electronics and mechanics sectors, CMS Francis Lefebvre frequently handles patent infringement litigation and associated claims for damages, as well as assisting in disputes between employers and employees in relation to the ownership of patents. The team around practice head Jean-Baptiste Thiénot also handles research and development contracts, assignment and licence agreements and portfolio audits. Anne-Laure Villedieu, who focuses on data privacy matters, heads the firm’s IP department. |
Our specialist practice areas
Legal experts for Intellectual Property
Local market knowledge. Global outlook
We provide future-facing legal advice to help your organisation thrive. Combining local market knowledge and a global perspective, and with lawyers in locations worldwide, your organisation benefits from the expertise it needs, even across borders.
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