Obtaining, managing, protecting and enforcing intellectual property should be among the highest priorities of every business concern. Engaging the expertise of BELLES KATZ LLC allows clients to manage and master these critical operations. Our firm creates value for clients by partnering to build and enhance their intellectual property portfolios, while navigating around the intellectual property holdings of others. We work closely and creatively with clients to maximize the value of their intellectual property by employing a range of sophisticated strategies in licensing, teaming and cooperative arrangements, and acquisitions. In performing these tasks we:

• Develop IP strategies for protecting new products and avoiding infringement in the United States and abroad;
• Conduct due diligence on IP assets to assess the value and risks associated with the acquisition and transfer of such rights;
• Enforce IP rights in a cost-effective manner;
• Manage IP rights to ensure that they are afforded the proper duration, scope and value.

Our strength in developing IP protection strategies is getting to know our clients’ businesses and understanding their goals. We are careful to fully protect important assets to their fullest extent, and we are just as careful not to waste resources securing rights for marginal assets. We also help our clients understand the rights of others so that they do not inadvertently subject themselves to infringement liability. By working with our network of business affiliates throughout the world, we are able to make, develop, and implement strategies both domestically and internationally.

Another core BELLES KATZ LLC strength is helping our clients understand the value of a business deal — be it a license, acquisition, distribution agreement, or teaming agreement. We work with our clients to determine the value of any given IP and the risks that might be associated with enforcing it or defending it from attack. With this information, we can together gauge how beneficial different strategies would be to the clients’ long and short term interests. Moreover, our analysis can help decide, among other things, what key terms need to be negotiated; what the scope of a warranty should be; whether an escrow arrangement is needed; and whether there should be liability caps.

When it comes time to enforce IP rights, we provide our clients with various alternatives to litigation, and help them choose the proper course of action. Our ability to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of particular claims often allows clients to negotiate an acceptable resolution without incurring the costs of engaging in a full-blown dispute. Of course, when it comes to advocating for our clients in adversarial actions, we are well-equipped to pursue such a course skillfully and in a cost-conscious manner. BELLES KATZ LLC offers experience in all aspects of litigation:  We have litigated in federal and state courts; contested and defended trademark rights at the Trademark Trial and Appeals Board; handled arbitrations; and negotiated settlement agreements.

And our service does not simply end when IP rights have been secured. BELLES KATZ LLC distinguishes itself by sharing its expertise and acumen with clients striving to realize the full, tangible value of their assets. We help clients monitor and renew their IP rights; protect themselves from competitors and copy-cats; and identify new techniques for exploiting their intellectual property. Whether it’s attaining a contract, securing a license, commercializing technology, finding a distributor, building a brand, or enhancing the state of the art, we understand that value truly comes when our clients achieve their goals.

PATENTS, TRADEMARKS, COPYRIGHTS AND TRADE SECRETS

The core frameworks for protecting intellectual property are patents, trademarks, copyrights and trade secrets. BELLES KATZ LLC possesses great experience and expertise in obtaining protection through all four of these mechanisms, combining them when appropriate to secure the best possible protection for our clients. In addition, we have unique expertise with the regulations governing IP as it is developed, used, and applied in government contracts. We list the various types of services and tasks we perform in connection with obtaining and protecting