Welcome
The Intellectual Property (IP) Hub is a comprehensive resource that fosters understanding and effective intellectual property rights management. Intellectual property represents the ownership of creations of the human mind, including inventions, designs, trademarks, and artistic works. Unlike physical assets, IP rights provide unique legal protections enabling creators and enterprises to exploit their innovations and safeguard against unauthorised use.
Intellectual property rights are critical for businesses and individuals, enshrined in national, European, and international legal frameworks. These protections secure exclusivity and contribute significantly to financial growth and strategic development. Licensing, selling rights, or leveraging IP as collateral can maximise its potential value.
Equally vital is the ongoing management of intellectual property rights. Proper administration ensures their continued protection and alignment with legal requirements. Whether renewing a patent, updating a trademark’s details, or managing a copyright’s use, diligent oversight preserves the integrity and value of these assets.
This hub will give you the tools, guidance, and information necessary to effectively understand and manage your intellectual property, empowering you to protect and capitalise on your innovative endeavours.
Why protect Intellectual Property?
Securing Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) ensures creators and businesses maintain control over their assets, enhance market competitiveness, and gain legal recourse against infringement.
Choosing the right type of Intellectual Property
IPR safeguard creations of the mind, distinguishing and protecting innovation, creativity, and commerce. Below is a concise guide to the primary IP categories, features, and benefits.
Patents
A patent provides exclusive rights over an invention for a set period (up to 20 years, with extensions in specific cases).
- Protection period: 20 years (it can extend up to 25 years for pharmaceuticals/plant-protection products and 25 years 6 months for pediatric pharmaceuticals).
- What it covers: Innovative inventions, new methods, or product operations.
- Benefits: Secures exclusive rights, enabling full exploitation of your invention.
Trademarks
A trademark distinguishes products or services of one enterprise from others through recognisable elements such as words, symbols, logos, or sounds. It is a vital tool for brand identity.
- Protection period: Indefinite, with renewal every 10 years.
- What it covers: Distinctive logos, names, or symbols identifying your products/services.
- Benefits: Protects against infringements and enhances commercial value.
Industrial designs
Industrial design protection covers the appearance of a product, including its shape, texture, patterns, or colours, ensuring market exclusivity for innovative designs.
- Protection period: 25 years, with renewal every 5 years.
- What it covers: Exterior designs and product appearances.
- Benefits: Grants exclusive rights to the design, preventing misuse.
Copyrights
Copyright is automatic protection granted to creators of original works, including literary, artistic, and audiovisual works.
- Protection period: Varies; up to 70 years after the creator’s death.
- What it covers: Creative works like books, music, software, paintings, and more.
- Benefits: Automatic legal protection against unauthorized use.
Challenging and defending your rights
Taking swift action against infringement or misuse of IP rights is fundamental to IP rights protection. We can assist in preparing and sending cease-and-desist letters, complaint letters, and notices of opposition/oppositions to applications to annul and represent clients in proceedings before the relevant authorities and legal actions before the courts of the relevant jurisdiction.
Non-contentious IP services
- IP registration and portfolio management: We help clients secure and maintain their intellectual property rights—trademarks, patents, industrial designs, and copyrights—across Cyprus, the EU, and internationally. Our team ensures your IP portfolio remains protected, updated, and aligned with your business goals.
- Licensing & assignments: We draft, review, and negotiate agreements for using, transferring, or co-owning IP rights. Whether you’re commercialising your IP or collaborating with partners, we ensure your interests are safeguarded through clear, enforceable contracts.
Contentious IP services
- Swift enforcement: We take immediate action against IP infringements, issuing cease-and-desist letters, filing formal complaints, and representing clients before courts and the Cyprus IP Registrar.
- Overcoming registration refusals: If your trademark, design, or patent application is refused, we advise you on how to proceed and handle oppositions, appeals, and related proceedings.
- Defending your rights: We protect your registered IP against third-party oppositions or annulment applications before the Cyprus IP Registrar.
- Litigation & Dispute Resolution: Whether through court action, mediation, or arbitration, we tailor our approach to your strategic goals.
Our approach is focused on delivering effective, practical solutions that protect innovation, preserve brand value, and strengthen our clients’ competitive advantage.
Choosing the right protection
Each IP type caters to specific needs, whether you’re an inventor, entrepreneur, designer, or artist. By registering or securing the proper protection, you gain the legal rights necessary to defend your work and capitalise on its potential. Find out more about IP offerings from a jurisdiction below.
Cyprus
Offers a robust legal framework and internationally competitive benefits.
Luxembourg
Offering an exemplary environment for effectively managing and protecting intellectual property rights.
British Virgin Islands
Offers a forward-thinking legal framework designed to meet evolving global standards.
Cayman Islands
Offering a sophisticated and robust framework for intellectual property protection.
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Meet the team
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+- Harney Westwood & Riegels International, Harney Westwood & Riegels (BVI) LP, Harney Westwood & Riegels (Cayman) LLP, Harney Westwood & Riegels (UK) LLP, Harney Westwood & Riegels (Hong Kong), Harney Westwood & Riegels Singapore LLP, Aristodemou Loizides Yiolitis LLC (practising as Harneys), Harney Westwood & Riegels SARL, Harneys Bermuda Limited, and each of their subsidiaries (collectively known as Harneys) is committed to the privacy of information in line with data protection principles, regulatory and legal requirements, and global best practices. By completing this form and clicking submit, you consent to receive communications from Harneys and recording your personal data through our Privacy Statement. For more information on how your personal data is collected and managed by Harneys, please see our Privacy Statement. Jersey legal services are provided through Harneys (Jersey) which is an independently owned and controlled Jersey law firm.