Intellectual Property

Your innovative ideas need expert protection. Whether you are a start-up business growing, or you are a large multinational, protecting your intellectual property effectively means protecting your profit and shareholder value.

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CONTENTS

Key intellectual property services
Defending your intellectual property
Examples of intellectual property cases
In-House Counsel
How we work with you

Get in touch

Your IP protection and enforcement strategy should be as sophisticated as and align with any other strategic consideration in your business; it should not only protect your IP assets effectively, but also be future proof and commercially sound.

We pride ourselves on giving practical, no-nonsense advice in relation to all elements of intellectual property – trade marks, copyright, design rights, registered design, patents, confidential and trade secrets – and are dedicated to helping clients achieve a watertight IP strategy.

Our specialist in-house trade mark team are well-equipped to service clients’ national and international trade mark and registered design portfolios.

Key intellectual property services

Managing your intellectual property

IP audit
IP strategy
Business objectives and financial budgeting
IP corporate governance
Buying and selling IP assets
Trade mark and registered design portfolios
Exploiting your intellectual property
Protecting your brand name or trade mark
Copyright
Database right and data protection
Confidentiality
Registered and unregistered design right
Expanding into a new territory
Licensing your IP or obtaining an IP licence
Employees and IP ownership issues
IT and technology agreements

Defending your intellectual property

If you think a third party is using your IP
If you have received a ‘cease and desist’ letter
Negotiating co-existence agreements
Settling IP disputes
Trade mark opposition proceedings
Trade mark invalidity proceedings
Licensing your IP or obtaining an IP licence

Examples of intellectual property cases

Settlement of a partnership dispute concerning ownership of IP. The client had been threatened with having to stop use of the partnership IP- we negotiated a settlement in our client’s favour enabling her to continue to use the IP she had created and continue the business in the future.
Licensing client software to the military. The client had been presented with a huge contract and was struggling to wade through it and understand it. We walked the client through the obligations and liabilities and successfully negotiated various amendments which restricted our client’s liability to an appropriate level and ensured that all IP rights were retained by our client thereby allowing the client to licence the software to other customers.
Settling a patent dispute for a client – the client’s former co-director had forced him out of the business and was continuing to use his patented products without any recompense. We successfully negotiated a settlement, purchase of our client’s shares for value and put in place a proper licence agreement, recouping significant backdated royalties and ongoing royalty payments for many years to come.
Management of the client’s global trade mark portfolio – we liaise with international agents on our client’s behalf, keep on top of the renewal dates, deal with international oppositions and file new trade marks.

In-House Counsel

Our team of experienced lawyers is well-equipped to support you in various ways. Whether you require advice on a specific issue, additional resources due to capacity constraints, or a second opinion, we are here to help. Explore our legal counsel page for more information and details on our schedule of seminars, specifically designed for in-house counsel.

How we work with you

Whilst based in the South of England, with offices in Southampton, Winchester and Bournemouth, Paris Smith acts for businesses and families throughout the UK. Technology has enabled us to provide a high level of service to our clients whether they are local to our offices or not. Our advice can be given in many ways:

Over the telephone
Online appointments
In face to face meetings

We will talk through how you would like to be contacted and the best ways for us to meet in our early conversations with you.

Intellectual Property Services

Data Protection & GDPR

Designs

IP Strategy & Audit

Intellectual Property Disputes

Patents

Trade Marks

How we’ve helped our clients

“Sources say “We value the working relationship we have managed to build over the last 6 or 7 years which has only got better over the last year or so as we have worked together more;” and “A fabulous alternative to the London law firm offering.””

Legal 500 2026 Edition – Client Testimonials

“Sources say ‘Crispin Dick has excellent industry knowledge and did not just help us draft our necessary legal documents but also alerted us to other potential pitfalls. Being a company centred around the use of AI, we are determined to do it legally and well. Crispin was able to guide us adequately;’ ‘Excellent client service and responsiveness. Always commercially focussed and delivered in a timely manner. We have worked with Crispin for a number of years and he is an invaluable support on all our in-house legal work’ and ‘Crispin Dick is outstanding in his delivery of timely and commercial advice. We are extremely grateful for the work that Crispin and his colleague Ryan Mitchell have done to support our business over recent months whilst our business has been entering into a number of new commercial contracts.’”

Legal 500 2025 Edition – Client Testimonials

“Ryan Mitchell helped me with perhaps one of the most challenging areas around intellectual property and GDPR compliance. Ryan always got back to me quickly and was very patient and conscientious throughout. I found everyone at Paris Smith to be highly professional, and to keep a good sense of humour even when the work became very painstaking. This helped me to deal with what could have been a very stressful time. I was very pleased with the final outcome and would recommend Paris Smith highly.”

David Marshall, Director & Shareholder

“Referees say “The advice is extremely clear and the team is well placed to give legal advice in a broader commercial context”, “They effectively dealt with a complex IP dispute concerning copyright in computer software intertwined with allegations of breach of directors’ duties”, “IP knowledge combined with business insight”, A very capable team which is able to take on complex work and provide clients with sound, realistic and commercially astute advice” and “Impressive attention to detail and excellent case management. I would highly recommend them for any complex IP / company law / commercial dispute.” Another says “Great service – extremely responsive and they take time to understand the needs of our business.””

Legal 500 2024 Edition

“One client says The practice is highly competent in all the fields in which they have worked for me. The Intellectual Property team is very knowledgeable, but also always brings a high degree of pragmatism to any case which I value highly”; whilst another adds “Their IP team is friendly, offers good access and availability, is knowledgeable and cost-effective for us.” Another source states “The team is knowledgeable and provides practical, relevant advice.” Laura Trapnell is singled out with sources saying “Laura Trapnell combines in-depth knowledge of her subject with an ability to communicate key points clearly to people with little experience. She very effectively builds a rapport with those seeking IP advice, which is particularly valuable in working with start-up and early stage companies”; “Laura Trapnell and her team provide very professional support to knowledge-based companies in the region. Laura makes a great contribution to the entrepreneurial community by educating business leaders on the importance of intellectual property (in all its forms) and providing legal support in a way that is accessible to start-up and high-growth companies”; “Laura Trapnell worked closely with Paris Smith LLP partner Helen Brown and negotiated on our behalf, achieving the best settlement outcome possible. She was very supportive of us as clients suffering under stress. Her approach was very human and reassuring. She went ‘beyond the call of duty’ to ensure we achieved a result within an unreasonable time-frame set by an unreasonable third party”; “Laura Trapnell helps with technical inquiries as well as being exceptionally knowledgeable in their specialist areas. It feels like you have an indirect legal team at your disposal internally as a colleague”; and “Laura Trapnell is an enthusiastic leader. She provides sensible and appropriate advice to entrepreneurs and business leaders.”

Legal 500 2023 – Referee Comments

Legal 500 – 2026 Edition

Advising on both a domestic and cross-border scale, Paris Smith LLP continues to build upon its creative sector expertise, handling a variety of portfolio issues, copyright advice and licensing mandates. Practice head Celia Lloyd Davidson, who operates from the firm’s Southampton and Winchester offices, is fully immersed in the fashion, beauty, hospitality and not-for-profit sectors. Southampton-based Ryan Mitchell is another name to note in the practice.

What clients say:

‘I principally work with Celia Lloyd Davidson. Celia is pragmatic, approachable and always looking for the swift solution to a complex set of facts. Magic Circle background in a boutique service offering.’

‘A fabulous alternative to the London law firm offering.’

‘Celia Lloyd Davidson is thoughtful, deeply into her practice area and very hot on client care.’

‘Team lead Celia Lloyd Davidson has unique experience and skills when it comes to IP and art – definitely a go-to in this space!’

‘Celia Lloyd Davidson – I have known and worked with over a number of years. Celia is an exceptional lawyer in every aspect.’

‘We have had a pretty good working relationship with Celia Lloyd Davidson since she has joined Paris Smith. She demonstrates patience and takes the time to understand their customers needs and what level of support you may need.’

‘We value the working relationship we have managed to build over the last 6 or 7 years which has only got better over the last year or so as we have worked together more.’

Headed up by Crispin Dick, Paris Smith LLP is highly proficient in data protection compliance, software development, IT outsourcing, and procurement projects. Dick is noted for his capabilities in platform access agreements, technology transfers, and transactional work, while Ryan Mitchell is well-versed in data protection mandates.

What clients say:

‘The team are very supportive, understanding and responsive. they have demonstrated their knowledge and value over multiple deals. They respond quickly, understand our business needs and talk to us as humans.’