Intellectual property (IP) and technology law protect innovation, brands, creative works and data. Whether you’re filing patents and trade marks, negotiating SaaS and licensing deals, managing open-source risk or enforcing rights against infringement, the right lawyer safeguards assets and accelerates growth.
Fantastic Lawyers™ connects founders, scale-ups, enterprises and creators with trusted IP and technology specialists worldwide. We highlight firms known for technical fluency, pragmatic contracts and effective enforcement strategies.
What IP & Technology Lawyers Do
- Patents – invention capture, drafting, prosecution, PCT strategy, portfolio management and freedom-to-operate (FTO)
- Trade Marks & Branding – clearance searches, filings, oppositions, coexistence and brand protection
- Copyright & Designs – registration (where applicable), licensing and enforcement
- Trade Secrets – NDAs, confidentiality programs and misappropriation claims
- Technology Transactions – SaaS, software licences, OEM/VAR, reseller and cloud agreements
- Open-Source & Compliance – licence due diligence, policy, attribution and copyleft risk
- Data, Privacy & Security – data processing agreements, DPIAs, incident response coordination
- AI & Emerging Tech – model/data licensing, training data risk, product terms and governance
- Content & Platform – UGC terms, takedowns/notice-and-action, domain/UDRP disputes
- IP Litigation & Enforcement – cease-and-desist, customs/online takedowns, court/arbitration
- Commercialisation & Monetisation – licensing programs, franchising, JV and spin-outs
- Deals & Due Diligence – IP/IT due diligence for fundraising, M&A and technology transfers
Why Choose a Recommended Lawyer?
The best IP/tech lawyers combine legal precision with product and engineering awareness. Fantastic Lawyers™ highlights firms recognised for clear strategy, cost-effective filings, strong negotiations and measurable enforcement outcomes.
Browse by Location
Our city and country guides are in progress so you can compare specialists by sector (software, life sciences, media, consumer, industrial) and track record. Tell us about your product and timelines and we’ll point you to suitable options.
IP & Technology FAQs
Answers to common questions on protection routes, ownership, open-source, software patents and enforcement.
What’s the difference between patents, trade marks, copyright and trade secrets?
Patents protect technical inventions; trade marks protect brands and identifiers; copyright protects original works (software, text, art, music); trade secrets protect valuable confidential information through secrecy measures. Many products use a combination.
Can software or AI be patented?
It depends on the jurisdiction and claim scope. Pure abstract algorithms are typically excluded, but inventions with a novel, technical effect (e.g. improved computer functionality) may be patentable. Specialist advice is essential.
How do I protect my brand globally?
Start with clearance searches, then file core classes in priority markets. Consider international systems (e.g. Madrid Protocol) to streamline filings. Monitor and enforce consistently against confusingly similar marks.
Do NDAs really protect ideas?
NDAs help maintain confidentiality but don’t create IP by themselves. Combine NDAs with good info-security, access controls and timely filings (patent or design) where appropriate.
What are the risks with open-source software?
Licence obligations (e.g. attribution, disclosure of source for copyleft), security/maintenance and provenance. Adopt an OSS policy, keep a software bill of materials (SBOM) and use tooling to detect licences and vulnerabilities.
Who owns IP created by employees or contractors?
Employee inventions may vest in the employer by law, but contracts should make ownership explicit. Contractor IP typically remains with the contractor unless assigned; ensure written assignments and moral rights waivers where relevant.
How long do filings take?
Trade mark registrations can take months; patents often take years with examination stages. Expedited routes and smart claim strategies can reduce timelines. Early filing preserves priority.
What should I do if someone infringes my IP?
Collect evidence (copies, timestamps, logs), assess strength and business impact, then consider a staged response: notice/takedown, without-prejudice negotiation, interim relief or litigation. Ensure claims are accurate to avoid counter-allegations.
⚖️ Tip: build an IP register (patents, marks, copyrights, trade secrets), align filings with product roadmaps and keep clean assignment chains from founders and contractors.
