The comic art industry brings together a wide range of creators, including comic and manga artists, illustrators, cover artists, concept artists, webtoon creators, animators, designers and studios. Many creators sell original characters and merchandise, take commissions, publish serialized works and license their creations into animation, trading cards, translations and other commercial formats. Behind all of…
Why is IP training important for my non-legal staff? Innovation happens on the ground. If your engineers or marketers don’t know what a trade secret is or how to spot a patentable invention, you might accidentally disclose valuable information or miss a filing deadline. Training ensures everyone plays a part in protecting the company’s assets. …
What if the audit reveals that we are inadvertently infringing on someone else’s IP? This is a critical “Freedom to Operate” risk. If an audit uncovers potential infringement, we can help you proactively manage it, by seeking a license, designing around the issue or challenging the validity of the other party’s right, before it turns…
What if an employee leaves with my information? Contracts are your first line of defence. We can enforce Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs) and restrictive covenants to stop them from disclosing your secrets or using them in their new job. Can I sue if someone steals my trade secrets? Yes. You can take legal action for breach…
What if I never registered my brand as trademark? Can I take action against competitors using my brand? Yes. You still have rights under common law if you can prove you have acquired “goodwill and reputation”. However, proving this is more complex and evidence-heavy than enforcing a registered trademark. How do I prove passing off? …
Should I register my design? Without registration, competitors can copy your product’s look with little recourse. Registration gives you a monopoly on the visual appearance, increasing your product’s marketability and value. Can I register a design already on the market? Timing is critical. To be registrable, a design must be new at the time of…
How do I know if my invention is patentable? To be patentable, an invention must be New (not disclosed anywhere in the world), involve an Inventive Step (not just a simple modification) and be Industrially Applicable. We conduct prior art searches to confirm this before you spend money on filing. What if I disclose my…
Why register if I’ve already been using my brand? While “first users” have some rights, relying on them is costly and difficult. Registration gives you clear statutory exclusivity and makes enforcement significantly easier and cheaper. What if my application is opposed? Oppositions are common in competitive markets. We act on your behalf to prepare evidence,…
