Intellectual property

CLS associates possess unique expertise and are highly professional in intellectual property issues, from creation and documentation of rights to intellectual property to their commercialization and protection both at the pretrial stage and in the course of a court process and at administrative bodies.

CLS specializes in questions tied to introducing Russian and foreign brands on new markets and structuring major and multi-aspect deals with intellectual property. A broad network of reliable partners worldwide allows CLS associates to provide “one-stop shopping” services to clients in over 90 jurisdictions.

One specific area of activity in which CLS is engaged is protection of new technologies, launch and support for digital ecosystems. They assist with issues related to inclusion of software in the National Software Register, due diligence of rights to software and other technologies, support of transactions on acquisition of intangible assets.

The practice's professionalism is noted annually by leading Russian and international ratings Legal 500, Chambers Europe, WTR 1000, Pravo-300 and Kommersant.

Expertise

Protection of intellectual property rights

Advising on IP protection / bringing new products and brands to market
Protection of client interests before the authorities and in IP dispute courts
Legal check of the integrity of IP rights, preparation of necessary documents
Audit of the processes on creation, use and protection of IP in the company
Combating counterfeiting and parallel import, blocking counterfeit distribution sites, work with marketplaces
Advising on issues related to registration of confidentiality / trade secrets to maintain production secrets (know-how)
Managing portfolios of trademarks and other intellectual property, registering and maintaining them

Support for transactions in intellectual property

Structuring transactions on acquisition and licensing of intellectual property, including outside of Russia
Conducting a legal audit of intellectual property, developing an optimal strategy for the allocation of intangible assets
Developing and legal analysis of IP rights agreements: license agreements, franchise agreements, agreements for pledge or alienation of exclusive rights, agreements for creation of intellectual property, including under author commissioning agreements, in the course of R&D, etc.
Advising on registration of employers’ rights to intellectual property objects made for hire

Information technologies and AI

Advising on issues related to development, use and implementation of information technologies and solutions in the field of artificial intelligence
Due diligence of software rights registration
Developing IT-related agreements, including agreements and documentation for a particular IT project
Support for registration of computer software and databases with Rospatent and inclusion of software into the National Software Register

Copyright and related rights

Advising and structuring relationships as to copyright and related rights issues
Legal support for creative activity (creation of films, performances, concerts)
Disputes on recognition of authorship, unlawful use and modification of works
Search for heirs of famous writers, musicians and artists to obtain permission to use their works
Conducting seminars and training programs on intellectual property and copyright issues for clients and their employees