Intellectual property (‘IP’) is a valuable business asset and tool. Whether you have unregistered or registered rights such as a patent, design right or trade mark you must ensure that it is not infringed by an unauthorised party. If you believe your work or IP is being copied or used without your permission, we suggest you do the following:

gather as much evidence as you can of the infringing activity, for example, screen shots of the unauthorised use of your IP and even the infringing article where possible;

immediately contact the infringing party placing them on notice that if they refuse to stop their infringing activity you will notify your solicitors / IP agent; and

where the above fails, you should consider asserting your legal rights beginning with a ‘cease and desist’ letter threatening legal proceedings without further notice.