FTCC | Studio Legale Associato

Intellectual Property

Strategic advice on the protection, exploitation and enforcement of IP rights

FTCC advises Italian and international clients on the protection, commercial exploitation and enforcement of IP rights in Italy.

Our practice combines advisory, contractual and litigation experience, with a particular focus on protecting business and creative assets and managing disputes involving intellectual property, unfair competition and trade secrets.

We regularly assist clients and foreign law firms in matters where intellectual property intersects with advertising, digital communications, artificial intelligence and commercial relationships.

WHAT WE DO

Trademarks & Brand Protection

  • trademark protection and enforcement strategies, including cease-and-desist actions and infringement proceedings;
  • judicial actions for trademark invalidity and revocation;
  • opposition, invalidity and revocation proceedings before the competent administrative offices;
  • online brand protection and domain name disputes;
  • protection against the unfair exploitation of reputation, settlement negotiations and coexistence agreements.

Unfair Competition

  • unfair competition matters involving confusion, imitation and misappropriation of business assets;
  • protection against the unfair exploitation of reputation and other unfair market conduct;
  • confidentiality and non-disclosure agreements;
  • early advice, cease-and-desist actions and settlement negotiations;
  • enforcement and litigation.

IP Agreements & Commercial Exploitation

  • licensing agreements and assignments of IP rights;
  • coexistence and settlement agreements;
  • sponsorship and merchandising arrangements;
  • agreements concerning creative content, technology and know-how;
  • contractual strategies for the commercial exploitation of IP assets.

Trade Secrets & Know-How

  • protection of trade secrets, know-how and confidential business information;
  • assessment and organisation of measures for preserving confidentiality;
  • agreements concerning the use, transfer and exploitation of know-how;
  • disputes concerning the unlawful acquisition, disclosure or use of confidential information;
  • enforcement and litigation.

Designs, Patents & Innovation

  • legal advice on the protection and exploitation of designs, patents and utility models;
  • design, patent and technology-related agreements;
  • enforcement and disputes involving designs, patents and utility models;
  • legal assistance in innovation and technology projects;
  • coordination with technical advisers.

Copyright & Creative Assets

  • copyright protection and enforcement involving creative, advertising, audiovisual and digital content;
  • software;
  • publishing projects;
  • image and personality rights;
  • ownership, transfer, licensing and exploitation of copyright;
  • copyright issues relating to AI-generated and AI-assisted content.

Trademark Registration & Portfolio Support

  • trademark filing strategies;
  • management and review of trademark portfolios;
  • coordination of registration activities with foreign counsel and filing professionals;
  • assistance in registration-related proceedings.

PROCEEDINGS & DISPUTES

We represent clients in intellectual property and unfair competition disputes before:

  • the Italian courts, including the Supreme Court;
  • the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO);
  • the Italian Patent and Trademark Office (UIBM);
  • the General Court of the European Union;
  • the Court of Justice of the European Union.

INTERNATIONAL CLIENTS & FOREIGN LAW FIRMS

FTCC regularly assists international clients and foreign law firms with:

  • strategic advice on the protection and enforcement of IP rights in Italy;
  • trademark, copyright, design, patent and unfair competition disputes;
  • licensing, coexistence and other IP agreements;
  • protection of trade secrets and know-how;
  • IP issues arising from advertising, digital content and artificial intelligence.