International Protection

Intellectual Property

Protect Your Intellectual Property Wherever Business Takes You

For businesses operating across borders, protecting intellectual property internationally is not optional — it is essential. Gurve Legal’s international IP protection solicitors in London advise SMEs, owner-managed businesses, and growing companies on securing their trade marks, patents, designs, and copyright in the markets that matter most to them.

Whether you are expanding into new territories, entering licensing arrangements with overseas partners, or defending your IP against infringement from abroad, the legal landscape changes significantly once you cross a national border. Our team provides commercial, practical advice that helps you stay protected without overcomplicating your strategy.

We act for both rights holders seeking to register and enforce their IP internationally and for businesses facing cross-border IP claims from third parties. That dual perspective means we understand the full picture and can anticipate challenges that a one-sided view would miss.

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Our International IP Protection Services

International Trade Mark Registration

Registering your trade mark in every country individually is slow and expensive. We advise on the most efficient routes to international protection, including the Madrid Protocol, which allows a single application to cover up to 130 countries. We help you identify which markets to prioritise, prepare and file applications, and manage your portfolio as it grows.

Madrid Protocol applications and management
EU trade mark (EUTM) registration and renewals
National filings in target jurisdictions via trusted local agents
Trade mark watching services and portfolio audits
Advice on classes, territories, and filing strategy

International Patent Protection

Securing patent protection internationally requires careful planning from the outset. We advise on the PCT (Patent Cooperation Treaty) route, which gives businesses time to assess commercial potential before committing to national phase filings. Our team works with trusted patent attorneys to coordinate filings across multiple jurisdictions.

PCT filing strategy and timeline planning
European Patent Office (EPO) applications
National phase entry in key markets
Patent portfolio management and maintenance

International Copyright and Design Protection

Copyright protection arises automatically in most countries under the Berne Convention, but knowing how to enforce it and understanding territorial variations is a different matter. For design rights, registration requirements vary widely. We help you understand what is protected, where, and what steps you should take before entering new markets.

Copyright ownership and chain-of-title advice for international use
Registered Community Design and international design filings
Advice on enforcing unregistered rights across borders
Licensing arrangements that protect your rights in third-party territories

Cross-Border IP Enforcement and Anti-Counterfeiting

Infringement does not stop at borders. If a competitor in another jurisdiction is copying your brand, your products, or your content, we advise on the most effective enforcement strategy — from cease and desist correspondence and customs recordal to coordinating litigation through our network of trusted overseas legal partners.

International cease and desist and demand letters
Customs recordal and border enforcement measures
Online takedowns for cross-border infringement
Coordinated multi-jurisdiction enforcement strategies
Advice on domain name disputes with international elements

International IP Licensing and Technology Transfer

Licensing your IP to overseas partners can be a significant revenue stream — but only if the agreements are properly structured. We draft and negotiate international licensing agreements, technology transfer arrangements, and franchise-related IP licences that protect your position and give you the commercial flexibility you need. Our team also handles domestic and international licensing strategy as part of a broader commercial approach.

International IP licence drafting and negotiation
Technology transfer and know-how agreements
Sub-licensing controls and audit rights
Royalty structures and payment terms for cross-border arrangements

IP Due Diligence for Cross-Border Transactions

If you are buying a business, entering a joint venture, or receiving investment with an international dimension, understanding the IP position is critical. We conduct thorough IP due diligence across multiple jurisdictions, identifying gaps, vulnerabilities, and encumbrances that could affect the value or viability of a deal. This work connects closely with our mergers and acquisitions and joint venture services.

Multi-jurisdictional IP ownership and title verification
Identification of unregistered rights and dependencies
Assessment of third-party licences and encumbrances
IP warranty and indemnity advice for cross-border deals

International IP Strategy for Growing Businesses

For SMEs and owner-managed businesses preparing to expand internationally, building an IP strategy early saves significant cost and risk later. We work with businesses at every stage — from pre-launch protection planning to full portfolio management for businesses operating across multiple markets. Our broader intellectual property services and international trade regulatory compliance advice sit alongside this strategic work.

IP audits ahead of international market entry
Priority territory mapping and filing roadmaps
Investor-ready IP structuring for businesses raising finance
Ongoing portfolio review and risk management

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Why Choose Gurve Legal

Commercial Advice for Growing and Expanding Businesses

Our international IP protection work is built around the needs of SMEs, owner-managed businesses, and companies at growth stage — not large corporations with dedicated in-house legal teams. We understand the commercial decisions that drive international expansion and tailor our advice to protect your IP without creating unnecessary cost or complexity.

We Act for Both Rights Holders and Those Facing Claims

Gurve Legal acts on both sides of international IP matters: advising businesses seeking to register and enforce their IP abroad, and advising those responding to cross-border infringement claims or third-party challenges. That dual experience gives us a sharper understanding of risk, strategy, and outcome that a single-perspective firm cannot replicate.

Practical, Jurisdiction-Specific Guidance

International IP protection is not one-size-fits-all. The right strategy for a business entering the US market looks different from one entering South-East Asia or the EU. We give you clear, territory-specific advice rather than generic recommendations, helping you allocate your budget where it will make the most difference.

Integrated Across Corporate and Commercial Services

International IP protection rarely sits in isolation. It connects with licensing, franchising, corporate transactions, regulatory compliance, and commercial contracts. Because Gurve Legal covers all of these areas, we provide joined-up advice that accounts for the full commercial picture rather than treating IP as a standalone issue.

Speak to Our International IP Solicitors Today

Protecting your intellectual property across borders requires the right advice at the right time. Whether you are planning international expansion, dealing with an overseas infringement, or preparing for a cross-border transaction, Gurve Legal is here to help.