Los Angeles Licensing Dispute Lawyer

Owning a business or intellectual property (IP) can be a heavy responsibility. In addition to the many other considerations you need to manage, there are plenty of other companies and individuals who want to take what you have to benefit their own interests. While securing your product or service is important, it’s just as essential to secure the use of your own name and brand. It is crucial to protect your business from competitors who are looking to exploit your success to build their own. Similarly, avoiding market confusion between you and your competitors is a key component of preserving your brand identity.

To properly defend your business against those who wish to impinge upon your livelihood, you’ll need a good understanding of business licensing. While there are many cases where businesses and individuals reach a friendly agreement without a lawsuit, it’s far more likely that you’ll face a hostile opponent that necessitates litigation. Any subtle indicators of weakness in your defense of your business could be exploited by the attorney of an aggressive company looking to expand its reach into new markets. To counter their efforts, you will need the assistance of a Los Angeles licensing attorney with substantial knowledge in business law.

A licensing attorney can help you defend your intellectual property from business litigation. This property can include anything from a logo or symbol to an invention. A Los Angeles licensing lawyer can also help you protect your company’s name and brand by registering your name and logo with the proper authorities. In some cases, it may become necessary to send a “cease and desist” letter to prevent a competitor from using your company’s trademarks.

A licensing attorney will also be knowledgeable in trade dress, which refers to the design and appearance of any products you produce. This can include how your logo looks and is presented, as well as the overall design of your product. When trade dress infringement occurs, it can be just as damaging to your company’s image as outright theft of your logo or name.

There are several common types of licensing tasks handled by Los Angeles licensing attorneys, including:

• Trade Dress Infringement—Individuals or businesses in the same industry have similar logos, names, or other features that cause customer confusion.
• Brand Violations—Competitors use your company’s name or trademarks to promote their product, intentionally or inadvertently leading customers to believe that it came from you.
• Licensing Agreements—Both parties want to work together and come to a licensing agreement for the use of intellectual property.
• Licensing Dispute Litigation—If you and the other party can’t come to an agreement, litigation with the help of a licensing attorney is the next step to protect your business.

Hiring a licensing attorney can add value to your business by efficiently and effectively solving licensing and business disputes. Here are some reasons you might consider hiring an attorney to help:

• You’ve received a cease-and-desist letter. If you’ve received a cease-and-desist letter that claims you’ve infringed upon another business’s intellectual property, take it very seriously. This usually means that the other party is looking to pursue litigation if you don’t comply with the letter’s demands. A licensing attorney can help you determine your next best steps.
• You’ve received a demand letter. A demand letter is much less serious than a cease-and-desist, but you can still benefit from an attorney’s guidance. This type of letter typically means the other party wants money, either via licensing payments or legal fees. A good attorney can help you negotiate with the party in question.
• You’re being sued. If you find yourself in a situation where another business is pursuing litigation against you, don’t waste time securing the services of a licensing attorney. Even if the other party isn’t demanding money, you need help from an attorney with a deep knowledge of intellectual property law.
• Another company has committed trade dress infringement or other brand violations against you. Whether you wish to send your own cease-and-desist letter, letter of demand, or pursue litigation, you need help from an attorney. If you’re not familiar with the language necessary to advocate for your best interests, you can put your business in an even worse position. Similarly, pursuing litigation alone is rarely a wise decision.

Los Angeles licensing lawyers typically charge an hourly rate. Licensing rates vary from lawyer to lawyer, and they can also vary depending on the services you need. While the average cost of an intellectual property attorney in California lies somewhere between $100 and $400 per hour, the only true way to assess how much money you will need to pay for a licensing attorney is to schedule a consultation.

When you’re consulting with a potential business attorney, it is critical to ask the right questions so you can determine whether the attorney is a good fit. Ask some of the following questions:

• What can you do for me?
• What are your specialties?
• How many years have you been practicing law?
• How many cases like mine have you won?
• What percentage of your cases are like mine?
• What is your experience working with my industry?
• Will you be handling my case personally, or do you have associates?
• How many cases do you typically handle at one time?
• Do you work with paralegals or assistants?
• What is your hourly rate, and what does that include?
• How many hours do you estimate it will take to work on my case?
• When and how will you charge me?
• Can you give me a list of references?
• Are there alternative solutions to resolve my problem?
• How often will you update me on the case’s progress?
• How can I contact you?

The skilled attorneys at the Myers Law Group have combined decades of experience with Los Angeles intellectual property and licensing dispute cases. As a result, our team is well-versed in each of the potential solutions available for your licensing issue, including business mediation and litigation. If you’re currently dealing with a licensing dispute, please contact us today to request a consultation.

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