Client Testimonials
"As patent and trade mark attorneys, we work closely with many different solicitors when helping clients to realize value from their Intellectual Property. The Waterfront partnership, in particular Rachel Bunn and Carole Hailey, has a very client-focused, practical and responsive approach. Their team always provides clear and relevant advice, tailored to the background and needs of the client in question; this combination of qualities sets them apart from many of the large law firms."
Heather McCann, Partner, E-IP
www.e-ip.com
Domain Names
In todays internet age virtual every organisation owns a domain name and has a website. Although domain names are not strictly intellectual property rights, they have become so important that they merit comment in their own right.
Irrespective of whether you are a new company setting up or whether you wish to register a website address to promote a new product, invariably you will need to purchase a domain name from one of the numerous domain name providers.
The availability of your domain name of choice may dictate the name of your company or what you call your product, so it is wise to conduct a domain name clearance search as early as possible.
You will need to decide on your domain name registration policy and whether a generic top level domain name (i.e. .com, .org, .net, .biz, info) or a country specific domain name (i.e. .co.uk) is appropriate and whether you should (in addition to the domain name of choice) choose to defensively register similar domain names to prevent third parties purchasing them.
Owning registered trade marks is a valuable weapon in the online environment as it gives you stronger and clearer rights of legal action, as opposed to relying only on passing off or copyright. See also trademarks.
In addition to advising on how best to legally protect the content of your website, we also advise on all types of disputes relating to the online environment, including contractual disputes, cyber squatting, Nominet and ICANN dispute resolution procedures, website content copying and metatag misuse.