Intellectual Property

Intellectual property is often a company’s most valuable asset. It is vital to protect it. Managing an IP portfolio is a complicated business, particularly across multiple jurisdictions. A comprehensive IP strategy is vital to guard against the threat of increasingly sophisticated infringers. And for brands with an eye for growth, IP can be even more valuable as a driver for M&A.

Handling the most complex IP cases in the MENA region

With so much at stake, our clients come to us because we have the expertise to handle the most complex IP issues. We are the only full service intellectual property practice in the Middle East and North Africa, helping clients with everything from litigation, advisory and IP audits to transactions and IP due diligence for stock market listings.

We work with some of the world’s biggest brands across all sectors including FIFA, Richemont and Johnson and Caterpillar. Our mission is always the same – to help our clients protect and exploit their IP to give them a competitive edge.

Working on the ground, delivering access and insights

With 40 IP experts based across the Al Tamimi & Company network of offices, we have strong connections with regulators and IP administration offices across the region. Clients benefit directly from the insight and access this gives us.

That may mean helping a client tackle piracy or counterfeiting by running a training seminar on their products for IP authority officials or giving our clients early notice of changes to the legal landscape.

Our team is at the forefront of the latest developments in IP law. We are members of the International Trademarks Association (INTA) and board members of key IP associations in our region, including AIPPI and BPG.

Our full-service intellectual property offering includes

• Trademark registration and prosecution programs involving global assignments, licensing and clearance projects, opposition actions and objections. 
• Strategy for protection including advising on eligibility of protection and long-term suitability and sustainability of brands, against prohibitions, public policy and moral considerations, social media and domain name assets and trade names. 
• Copyright registration and enforcement against piracy including illegal streaming and programs against software piracy on a regional scale 
• IP litigation and anticounterfeiting and enforcement including criminal and civil litigation, Customs protection and administrative raids and seizures.
• IP audit/due diligence
• IP transactions/licensing and franchising 
• Acquisition of IP
• Disputing and removing domain names and social media accounts
• Consumer protection and false advertising relating to refurbished goods
• Labeling compliance particularly in heavily regulated sectors
• Drafting bespoke IP manuals and guidelines for clients
• IP studies with insights on IP processes and hard to access filing trends.
• Legislation drafting and public policy work.