Practice Areas

Other Areas

Technology Media and Communications

Intellectual Property & Copyright

Intellectual property protection is an essential part of modern day business development and a new form of capital maintenance which we pride ourselves on achieving for our extensive client base. We have an extensive practice in both non-contentious and contentious IP issues. Our clients range from large multinational household names to prominent interests in the entertainment industry to niche start-up operations.

Our experience includes:

Online and Offline IP

copyright protection plans
individual and site copyright licences
protection and enforcement of rights
patent licences and assignments
trademark protection, registration and passing off
trademark licences and assignments
research and development including consortium agreements
technology transfer
shared exploitation
escrow agreements
broadcasting, internet, mobile and wireless content licences
advertising regulation
trade secrets and information security
domain name registration and dispute resolution

General Patent and Trade Mark Issues

patent royalties
patent searches
trademark portfolios
trademark registration
trademark searches
trademark licensing agreements
use of meta-tags and hyperlinks
infringement and passing off issues

Samples of our experience in contentious IP include:

initiating IP protection suits for owners of themed restaurant enterprise and successfully restraining use of such property by rival Irish enterprise.
successfully prosecuting passing off proceedings for, among others, the management of a leading Irish music group restraining third parties from improperly using names and logos for profit.
prosecuting Irish and Community Trade Mark infringement proceedings, for example successfully restraining the introduction of infringing own brand products and successfully preventing unapproved licensing activities centred on a major sporting event.
initiating proceedings to revoke an Irish patent, which petition was based on prior art in other jurisdictions.

Recommendations:

Chambers & Partners, The World's Leading Lawyers, Chambers Europe, 2011
This four-partner group offers a comprehensive IP service that is extolled by clients as “truly impressive.” The team has had a busy year with a substantial amount of both contentious and non-contentious work, recently experiencing a surge in patent activity. A highlight is the recently completed report for the EC on technology transfer and IP, demonstrating the group’s expertise in the IP/IT sphere. The IP department boasts an impressive team of lawyers.

Chambers & Partners, The World's Leading Lawyers, Chambers Europe, 2010
This tight-knit group of contentious and non-contentious IP specialists continues to make strides in the market. The group advises a broad client base, from large multinationals to SMEs, on the protection and enforcement of their IP rights, and its practice can rightly be called full-service.

Legal 500, 2011
Under Richard Woulfe, Mason Hayes & Curran’s practice has grown significantly in recent years. Highlights included advising the European Commission in relation to technology transfer and IP issues across the EU.

Legal 500, 2010
Mason Hayes & Curran's practice continues to flourish under the leadership of Richard Woulfe, praised for his 'excellent knowledge' and for giving 'clear, concise and practical advice'.

Should you wish to find out more about how we can assist you and your business please do not hesitate to contact one of the team members listed adjacent.

Related Publications

Our People

Philip Nolan
Head of Department
Peter Bolger
Partner