Expert Intellectual Property Services

Our team of IP lawyers from Bucharest, Romania is highly experienced and offers a range of legal services for the development, acquisition, commercialization, and enforcement of intellectual property and assets.

We provide comprehensive IP protection across all major areas including patents, trademarks, copyrights, designs, and trade secrets. Whether you’re protecting innovations, registering brands, or enforcing your rights, we have the expertise to guide you.

Our Intellectual Property Services

We offer comprehensive IP services across all major protection areas:

Patent Protection and Prosecution

We assist innovators and companies in protecting their technical innovations through patent registration and enforcement. Our patent services span domestic Romanian, European, and international patent systems.

Patent Services

• Patent Prosecution: Guiding innovations through the patent application process
• Patent Registration: Filing and managing patent applications in Romania and internationally
• Patent Strategy: Developing comprehensive patent protection strategies
• Patent Search: Conducting patentability searches and prior art analysis
• Patent Enforcement: Infringement detection and enforcement procedures
• Patent Licensing: Patent licensing agreements and technology transfer

International Patent Protection

• European Patent Office (EPO) applications
• International PCT applications
• National phase entries in multiple countries
• Patent prosecution management across jurisdictions
• Opposition and invalidation proceedings
• Patent portfolio management and maintenance

Patent Litigation

• Patent infringement litigation
• Invalidity defense proceedings
• Injunction proceedings and damages claims
• Settlement negotiations
• Expert witness coordination
• Appeals before higher courts

Trademark Registration and Protection

We provide comprehensive trademark services to protect your brand identity across all relevant markets. From registration to enforcement and dispute resolution, we safeguard your brand.

Trademark Services

• Trademark Registration: Filing and prosecution of trademark applications
• Brand Strategy: Developing comprehensive brand protection strategies
• Trademark Search: Conducting availability searches before registration
• Trademark Renewal: Managing trademark maintenance and renewal
• Trademark Enforcement: Monitoring and enforcement against infringement
• Domain Name Protection: Domain registration and dispute resolution

International Trademark Protection

• European Union Trademarks (EUTM)
• International Trademark Registration (Madrid System)
• Individual country trademark filings
• Trademark prosecution across multiple jurisdictions
• Renewal management internationally
• Portfolio management and monitoring

Trademark Disputes and Enforcement

• Opposition proceedings against applications
• Cancellation actions for non-use
• Trademark infringement litigation
• Customs enforcement and border protection
• Administrative proceedings before trademark offices
• Domain name dispute resolution (UDRP)

Copyright Registration and Protection

We assist in protecting creative works including software, literary works, artistic creations, music, and other copyrightable content. Our copyright services cover registration, licensing, and enforcement.

Copyright Services

• Copyright Registration: Registration of original works and creative content
• Copyright Protection Strategy: Developing comprehensive protection plans
• Software Copyright: Protection of software code and applications
• Licensing Agreements: Copyright licensing and royalty arrangements
• Infringement Enforcement: Detection and enforcement of copyright violations
• Digital Rights Management: Protection against unauthorized copying

Types of Works Protected

• Software and computer programs
• Literary works and publications
• Musical compositions and recordings
• Artistic works and visual creations
• Audiovisual works and films
• Photography and digital media

Copyright Litigation

• Copyright infringement claims and defense
• Damages and injunctive relief
• Administrative copyright proceedings
• Settlement negotiations
• International copyright enforcement
• Criminal copyright proceedings support

Design Registration and Protection

We protect the visual and aesthetic aspects of products through design registration and enforcement. Design protection covers both appearance and shape of products.

Design Protection Services

• Design Registration: Filing and prosecution of design applications
• Design Search: Conducting novelty searches for design applications
• Design Portfolio: Building comprehensive design protection portfolios
• Design Enforcement: Monitoring and enforcement against design infringement
• Design Licensing: Design licensing and commercialization agreements
• Design Disputes: Resolution of design-related disputes

International Design Protection

• European Union Design registration (EUDR)
• International Design registration (Hague System)
• Registered and unregistered design rights
• Individual country design filings
• Design portfolio management across jurisdictions

Design Litigation

• Design infringement litigation
• Invalidity defense proceedings
• Administrative proceedings before design offices
• Customs border protection for designs
• Injunctive relief and damages claims

Trade Secret Protection

We assist in protecting confidential business information and trade secrets through comprehensive confidentiality agreements and safeguarding strategies.

Trade Secret Services

• Confidentiality Agreements: Drafting comprehensive NDAs and confidentiality agreements
• Trade Secret Documentation: Establishing and documenting trade secret status
• Employee Agreements: Employment and contractor agreements protecting trade secrets
• Vendor Management: Managing trade secrets in vendor and supplier relationships
• Misappropriation Defense: Enforcement against unauthorized use and disclosure
• Internal Controls: Implementing controls and procedures to protect secrets

Trade Secret Protection Strategy

• Identifying information qualifying as trade secrets
• Developing trade secret protection policies
• Employee and contractor confidentiality procedures
• Third-party disclosure management
• Incident response for potential misappropriation
• Documentation and proof of trade secret status

Trade Secret Litigation

• Misappropriation claims and enforcement
• Injunctive relief against unauthorized use
• Damages for trade secret loss
• Criminal misappropriation proceedings
• Dispute resolution and settlement

IP Licensing and Commercialization

We assist in maximizing the commercial value of intellectual property through licensing agreements, technology transfer arrangements, and IP transactions.

Licensing Services

• Patent Licensing: Patent licensing agreements and technology transfer
• Trademark Licensing: Brand licensing and franchise arrangements
• Copyright Licensing: Content licensing and royalty agreements
• Software Licensing: Software licensing models and terms
• Design Licensing: Design licensing and cross-licensing arrangements
• Technology Sharing: Joint development and co-licensing agreements

IP Transactions

• IP acquisition and purchase agreements
• IP assignment and transfer agreements
• Royalty and milestone payment arrangements
• IP joint venture structures
• Escrow arrangements for IP transactions
• IP warranties and representations

Commercialization Strategy

• IP valuation and assessment
• Licensing strategy development
• Revenue maximization strategies
• Market entry through licensing
• Technology and brand partnerships
• IP portfolio monetization

IP Portfolio Management

We manage comprehensive intellectual property portfolios, ensuring strategic protection of your assets across multiple jurisdictions and technology areas.

Portfolio Services

• Portfolio assessment and strategy development
• IP registration and maintenance
• Renewals and deadline management
• Portfolio monitoring and enforcement
• Abandoned assets identification and removal
• Litigation management and defense

Portfolio Optimization

• Cost management and efficiency optimization
• Geographic scope optimization
• Priority area identification
• Asset consolidation and rationalization
• Tax-efficient structuring
• Strategic disposal of non-core assets

IP Due Diligence and Legal Opinions

We conduct comprehensive IP investigations and provide legal opinions on IP matters to support transactions, investments, and strategic decisions.

Due Diligence Services

• IP Ownership Investigation: Verification of IP ownership and rights
• Portfolio Assessment: Comprehensive review of IP assets
• Freedom to Operate: Clearance searching and analysis
• Infringement Risk: Assessment of potential infringement risks
• Licensing Review: Analysis of existing licensing obligations
• Validity Analysis: Assessment of IP validity and enforceability

Legal Opinions

• Patentability opinions
• Non-infringement opinions
• Trademark clearance opinions
• Invalidity opinions
• Freedom to operate opinions
• Licensing and transaction opinions

Why Choose Atrium for Intellectual Property?

Frequently Asked Questions

What types of intellectual property can be protected?

The main types of IP protection include patents (for inventions), trademarks (for brands), copyrights (for creative works), designs (for product appearance), and trade secrets (for confidential information). Each offers different protections for different assets.

How long does IP protection last?

Protection periods vary by type. Patents typically last 20 years from filing. Trademarks can be renewed indefinitely as long as they’re actively used. Copyrights generally last the lifetime of the author plus 70 years. Designs last for several renewal periods. Trade secrets can last indefinitely if properly protected.

How do I file a patent in Romania?

Patent applications are filed with the Romanian Patent Office (OSIM). The process involves filing a patent specification with drawings and claims. We assist with the entire prosecution process through examination and approval.

What is the difference between a patent and a design?

Patents protect functional innovations and how something works. Designs protect the visual and aesthetic appearance of a product. They can be complementary—protecting both function (patent) and appearance (design).

Can I register a trademark for any word or logo?

Not all marks can be registered. Marks must be distinctive and not descriptive of the goods/services. Marks that are offensive, deceptive, or too similar to existing marks cannot be registered. We conduct searches to assess registration likelihood.

How do I protect my software?

Software is automatically protected by copyright. However, you should register the copyright, implement confidentiality procedures, and use licensing agreements to control use. Patents can also protect novel algorithms.

What should be included in a confidentiality agreement?

A good NDA should define what information is confidential, specify permitted uses, establish confidentiality obligations, detail return/destruction of information, and include enforcement provisions. We draft customized NDAs for your specific situation.

What happens if someone infringes my IP?

You have several options: send a cease and desist letter, initiate administrative proceedings before IP offices, file a court lawsuit seeking injunction and damages, or pursue negotiated settlement. We advise on the best approach for your situation.

How can I get international IP protection?

You can file individually in each country, or use international systems like the European Patent Office, Madrid System for trademarks, Hague System for designs, or PCT for patents. We advise on the most strategic approach.

What is a licensing agreement?

A licensing agreement permits another party to use your IP in exchange for royalties or fees. The agreement specifies permitted uses, territory, duration, quality controls, and financial terms. We draft licenses that protect your interests.