Protecting your Ideas, Brands, and Intangible Assets

Intellectual Property (IP) is a broad term used for intangible business assets. Businesses, as well as individuals, have come to realize the value in their ideas and brands. Golan Christie Taglia offers an integrated approach to the protection, growth and organization of its clients’ Intellectual Property assets.

Protection – We guide you through analyzing and developing appropriate methods of Intellectual Property protection

Growth – We collaborate with you as you grow by offering a wide range of Intellectual Property portfolio management such as Intellectual Property audits and developing Intellectual Property management programs

Organization – We advise you regarding business organizations and management issues whether or not related to Intellectual Property such as organizational structure, sales transactions, financing the development of Intellectual Property and employer/employee relations.

Copyrights

Creative people need copyrights to protect their original works of authorship. Our attorneys are well versed in the following areas:

• Copyright eligibility analyses
• Registration of Copyrights for literary works, music compositions and recordings, Websites, computer software, artistic works, multimedia works and compilations
• Copyright clearance
• Acquiring rights to use music, art, film and photography
• Preparing licenses for creation of derivative works
• Licensing software, other copyrighted material to others
• Workplace policies and procedures for copying
• “Fair Use” analysis and advice
• Copyright infringement litigation

Patents

We can help you navigate the legal issues involved in the ever-growing patent field, are knowledgeable in patent prosecution across diverse industries, and have expertise in patent litigation. We specialize in preparing and filing patent applications that cater to the unique aspects of various industries, including software technology, healthcare, manufacturing, and consumer products. We are adept at successful responses to office actions, leveraging our vast knowledge and skills in trademark prosecution to effectively argue against rejections and obstacles. We manage your patent portfolio with an eye toward aligning your intellectual property goals with your organizational and business goals, ensuring maximum protection, superior management and strategic advantage across your products and services. We vigorously defend and enforce patents across sectors, customizing our approach to the objective and integrating industry-specific nuances of each case. Strategic risk assessment and counseling are provided to navigate potential disputes and achieve favorable resolutions without litigation whenever possible. With our experienced litigation team we handle trials and appeals in key patent litigation jurisdictions ensuring robust representation through all phases of litigation. Our expertise in managing cases across various industry sectors and in significant patent jurisdictions provides expert guidance tailored to the specific challenges and opportunities of each sector. Our attorneys are well versed in the following areas:

• Tailored Application Strategies
• Office Action Responses
• Patent Portfolio Management
• Enforcement and Defense
• Pre-Litigation Counseling
• Trial and Appeal Proficiency
• Sectoral and Geographical Reach

Financing Development of IP

Creators and owners of Intellectual Property assets do not always have the resources to develop them. We can counsel you on the many different methods for financing the development of Intellectual Property assets, such as:

• Angel agreements
• Venture capital
• Strategic alliances
• Secured transactions
• Technology escrow agreements
• Securitization

Internet and E-Commerce

Golan Christie Taglia’s attorneys can help you navigate the legal issues involved in an ever-growing Internet presence in the following ways:

• URL (Domain Name) registration and dispute resolution
• Social networking
• Business-to-Business portal Websites
• Website usage Terms and Conditions
• Web “Content” licenses
• Digital Millennium Copyright Act Compliance
• Content licensing agreements
• Privacy issues
• Sponsorship and event agreements
• Trademark and domain name clearance

IP Asset Management

In a business atmosphere of rapid innovation, fierce competition and virtually instant global communication, businesses need to know that their IP assets are properly maintained and protected.
An IP Asset Management system is a must for the modern business, no matter the industry. We can help with:

• Strategic planning for procuring and extracting value from intellectual capital
• Trade secret protection programs
• Intellectual Property portfolio management
• Intellectual Property risk management
• Employee agreements for assignment of Intellectual Property rights
• Procedures for unsolicited submissions
• Non-disclosure and confidentiality agreements and procedures
• Trademark usage guidelines

Licensing

Businesses use licensing as a strategy for growth. We can negotiate and draft licenses whether you are the licensor or the licensee, helping you through due diligence to commercialize your IP and generate revenue while managing risk. Our tailored licensing solutions respect and consider the unique dynamics of each industry, ensuring legal compliance and business efficacy. Our team facilitates global licensing deals and collaborative agreements, extending your market reach and enhancing profitability through strategic partnerships. We can help with:

• Patent, trade secret and know-how licenses
• Software licenses
• Trademark licenses
• Copyright licenses and permissions
• Website consulting and developing agreements
• Software development agreements
• Intellectual Property licensing strategies and tactics
• Comprehensive Licensing Strategies
• Cross-Industry Expertise
• Global Licensing and Collaboration

Trade Secrets

Many creative and dynamic companies realize that their information, methods, formulae, programs and other proprietary materials give them a competitive advantage in the marketplace. What makes these companies competitive cannot always be protected by patent or copyright law. We can help you identify these valuable assets as trade secrets and then insure their protection.

Trademarks

Your brand is your key to success in the marketplace. We participate in every level of the development and protection of trademarks. We counsel clients in choosing, registering, maintaining and protecting their trademarks. The following is a sample of the services offered:

• Trademark and Trade Dress Development
• Branding Strategies and Trademark Programs
• Trademark and Trade Dress Counseling, Registration, Licensing and Litigation
• False Advertising/Unfair Competition Litigation
• Distribution and Dealership Agreements and Disputes

OFFERING EXPERIENCE UNIQUELY REQUIRED IN THE ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY

Entertainment legal matters are singular. You need the experience and knowledge of someone who has been in the trenches to protect your rights—as well as defend your artistic imprint and financial investment.

Golan Christie Taglia offers unique, deep experience in representation of film and TV producers, writers, theatrical producers, authors, performers as well as entertainment trade entities. Our attorneys are intricately familiar with the requirements you face as you plan transactions. We devise creative and flexible strategies to document, negotiate and complete the process as efficiently and cost-effectively as possible.

THEATER

• Acquisition and disposition of rights
• Theater license agreements
• Formation of theatrical limited partnerships
• Advice and counsel on theatrical productions
• Drafting of agreements for directors, producers, writers, and talent
• Representation of live performance venues

FILM & TELEVISION

• Negotiation and disposition of rights
• Negotiation of talent agreements
• Drafting of sponsorship and endorsement agreements
• Illinois tax credit qualification and disposition
• Representation of producers, writers, and talent

PUBLISHING

• Negotiation of publishing agreements