IP Litigation & Strategy

Overview

The protection and promotion of your intellectual property assets requires strategic thinking, careful planning and constant vigilance. When your intellectual property (IP) is threatened, you need a law firm with the global strength to pursue claims around the world.

If you want to engage a team that knows how to defend your IP anywhere in the world, and takes a shoulder-to-shoulder approach to client relationships, Gowling WLG should be your first choice.

IP litigation is a core strength of our firm, and we know how to get results for our clients. From 'bet the company' IP litigation to the smallest skirmish, we work with you to obtain outcomes that fit your individual business objectives.

Gowling WLG has been a leading IP litigation firm for over 100 years, and our professionals are ranked globally as leaders in their field. Many of our people have engineering or scientific backgrounds, which provides us with the critical technical analysis for patent and trade secret cases. From pharmaceuticals to software, our team understands your technology.

Our services include the following:

Copyright, design and trade secrets

  • Copyright litigation and advocacy
  • Design right litigation
  • Trade secret enforcement and defence - both litigation and pre-litigation

Patents

  • Patent enforcement and defence
  • Patented medicines advice and litigation, including listing
  • Data package exclusivity
  • Product life cycle issues, including regulatory
  • Protecting innovator rights
  • Licensing - both litigation and pre-litigation
  • Related competition issues

Trademarks

  • Trademark enforcement and litigation
  • Border enforcement
  • Impeachment and cancellation
  • Anti-piracy and enforcement (civil and criminal)
  • Comparative advertising litigation

We have professionals based in areas where you need them:  

Our European team has won cases in the European Court of Justice, the UK courts, the German courts and the Paris courts.

In Canada, our litigators are counsel of record in more Federal Court proceedings than any other firm, and appear continuously in patent and trademark matters at all levels of Canadian courts.

Our team in China has vast experience enforcing patents, utility models, designs and trademarks in the Chinese courts. We use all available avenues - including administrative procedure and the customs system - to achieve results for our clients.

The team in the UAE has extensive experience enforcing and protecting IP rights both in the UAE and throughout the Middle East, including before national courts and through enforcement authorities, including Customs.

Global protection by people who understand your business. You can trust Gowling WLG to protect your IP - so please get in touch with us to find out how we can help you.

Canada

Intellectual property litigation and strategy is a core strength at Gowling WLG. Our professionals have been protecting innovators' rights for over 100 years, and work with clients to provide legal strategies that meet their business objectives.

From "bet the company" IP litigation to the smallest skirmish, we can work with you to deliver results that protect your innovation and investment.

GoXL: Intellectual Property for the digital era

Our web-based platform offers IP owners and advisers easy access to the knowledge they need to compete in today's global market, and features a rich library of resources to stay informed and connected.

Learn more about Go:XL


In-depth expertise

Gowling WLG has the largest IP litigation practice dedicated to patent, trademark, copyright, life sciences, trade secret and advertising law in Canada. Our team of litigation professionals has the scientific, engineering and technical expertise to defend your technology and provide critical technical analysis for patent and trade secret cases. From pharmaceuticals to software, we understand your world.

Trusted experience

Members of our team serve as counsel of record in more patent infringement actions and more trademark proceedings than any other firm in Canada. We also appear in more intellectual property cases in the Federal Court of Canada than any other firm.

Sector-focused support

We work across a wide range of key sectors, including life sciences, technology, mining, energy, oil patch and chemicals, manufacturing and distribution, financial services, government and infrastructure.

Comprehensive services

Our team offers a comprehensive range of IP litigation services in the areas of patents, trademarks, copyright, design and trade secrets:

Patents

  • Patent enforcement and defence
  • Patented medicines advice and litigation, including listing
  • Data package exclusivity
  • Product life cycle issues, including regulatory
  • Protecting innovator rights
  • Licensing (litigation and pre-litigation)
  • Related competition issues
  • Patent office validity and other proceedings

Copyright, design and trade secrets

  • Copyright litigation and advocacy
  • Design right litigation
  • Trade secret enforcement and defence (litigation and pre-litigation)

Trademarks

  • Trademark enforcement and litigation
  • Border enforcement
  • Expungement and cancellation
  • Anti-piracy and enforcement (civil and criminal)
  • Comparative advertising litigation

Learn more

Ranked as a top-tier IP practice by the world's leading legal publications, Gowling WLG is home to a team that truly understands your business, and can provide the global legal support you need to defend it. Please get in touch with any member of our team to find out how we can help you.

China

Doing business in China can be challenging. When you're selling products and services, protecting and enforcing your intellectual property is possible but difficult. Expert, strategic advice is required at the outset.

China's court system and available dispute resolution options can also present problems. You need to understand which courts are right for you and how best to present your case to maximise your chances of winning.

With our mix of Western and Chinese knowledge and expertise and our wide network of investigation agents and local counsel, Gowling WLG can be the guide you need. Driven to find practical solutions, we understand the concerns and frustrations that you have when looking to litigate in China. We can pre-empt these issues by using our deep understanding of the court system throughout the country.

Our China team has the support of a global platform, which allows work to be carried out around the clock. You'll also benefit from our wide sector knowledge in key areas such as tech, automotive, advanced manufacturing, fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) and life sciences.

We have an impressive track record of acting for companies of all different shapes and sizes. We've managed well over 150 cases against infringing companies with an unprecedented success rate. In 2016, we achieved a take-down rate of approximately 95% for infringing links as a result of vigilant internet monitoring and online enforcement.

We manage the litigation of a wide range of IP rights, including infringement opinions, civil actions and administrative actions.

Learn more

We always strive to become an extension of your team. Get in touch with our award-winning team and let's protect your interests together.

Germany

Munich is a hub for the high tech and life sciences industries in Germany, with our IP/IT/Commercial team providing leading edge advice. Across the full range of IP rights, our team in Munich advises both domestic and international clients. We are passionate about making sure our clients use their intellectual property in a way that adds value to their businesses. This involves both developing intellectual property exploitation strategies and successfully enforcing rights against infringers.

UAE

Doing business in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and wider Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region can be challenging. Whether you are selling products or services, protecting and enforcing your intellectual property in the MENA region is possible, provided you have the rights upon which to bring an action. Expert, strategic advice is required at the outset.

As a region which is generally civil law based, the court systems and available dispute resolution options can also present problems, particularly for rights holders from common law jurisdictions. You need to understand which options are right for you taking into account the circumstances of the dispute. We can assist you to maximise your chances of achieving the preferred result for your business.

With our mix of Western and Arab knowledge and expertise, Gowling WLG can be the guide you need in the Middle East. Driven to find practical solutions, we understand the concerns and frustrations that you have when looking to litigate in MENA countries. We can pre-empt these issues by using our deep understanding of the court systems and enforcement options throughout the region.

Our UAE based team has the support of a global platform, which allows work to be carried out around the clock. You'll also benefit from our wide sector knowledge in key areas such as tech, automotive, fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG), hospitality, retail, and life sciences.

We manage the litigation of a wide range of intellectual property (IP) rights, including infringement opinions, criminal actions, civil actions and administrative actions, as well as working closely with custom authorities.

Learn more

We always strive to become an extension of your team. Get in touch with our award-winning team and let's protect your interests together.

UK

Ranked as a top-tier IP litigation team by the world's leading legal publications, Gowling WLG's unique combination of legal experience and in-depth industry knowledge enables us to better understand your business and protect the full value of your IP.

For over 125 years, Gowling WLG has been helping the world's top organisations maximise their intellectual property assets and protect what makes them unique.

From "bet the company" IP litigation to the smallest skirmish, our top-ranked IP litigators can work with you to obtain outcomes that are strategically aligned with your business goals.

We've successfully represented clients in all levels of court and administrative tribunals on cases involving trademark and patent infringement and validity, the misappropriation of confidential information and theft of trade secrets, IP licensing disputes, and copyright infringement.

Gowling WLG provides services to clients across a wide range of industries — from life sciences, energy and natural resources to information technology, entertainment, aviation, manufacturing and automotive. Our broad sector-focused expertise allows us to understand the areas that matter to your business and the specific needs of your industry. Our services include the following:

Copyright, design and trade secrets

  • Copyright litigation and advocacy
  • Design right litigation
  • Trade secret enforcement and defence - both litigation and pre-litigation

Patents

  • Patent enforcement and defence
  • Patented medicines advice and litigation, including listing
  • Data package exclusivity
  • Product life cycle issues, including regulatory
  • Protecting innovator rights
  • Licensing - both litigation and pre-litigation
  • Related competition issues

Trademarks

  • Trademark enforcement and litigation
  • Border enforcement
  • Impeachment and cancellation
  • Anti-piracy and enforcement (civil and criminal)
  • Comparative advertising litigation

The protection and promotion of your intellectual property assets requires strategic thinking, careful planning and constant vigilance. When your IP is threatened, you need the support of a top-ranked legal team.

Our UK team delivers practical, cost-effective legal advice to help you grow and protect your business — wherever it takes you. Please get in touch with us to find out how we can help you.