PRACTICE AREAS

The Firm is recognized for the versatility and depth of its Intellectual Property Practice. We offer the level of expertise in trademarks, patents, copyrights and technology issues usually found only in boutique firms, while also providing the depth of litigation and corporate support of a full service firm.  We serve domestic and international clients in a diverse range of industries, including multimedia, finance, securities, manufacturing, publishing and entertainment.  Our excellent rate of success for clients in this area of law can be attributed to our team of attorneys’ skill, dedication, strong technical expertise and more than twenty years of service and experience. 

Our trademark practice handles a portfolio of over 20,000 marks, with particular emphasis on international protection for multinational businesses.  Hughes Hubbard’s resources and worldwide network enables our attorneys to obtain trademark protection expediently for both domestic and international clients.  Our dedicated attorneys are well-versed and handle all aspects of trademark law, including the selection, clearance, use and protection of service marks and trademarks; trademark opposition and cancellation proceedings; anti-counterfeiting investigation and enforcement; and trademark and trade dress infringement litigation.

Our patent practice includes attorneys and other practitioners registered to practice before the United States Patent and Trademark Office. Hughes Hubbard’s attorneys are experienced in all phases of patent law including patent infringement litigation, patent procurement and counseling. The firm has experience with varied technologies, including medical devices, nanotechnologies, pharmaceuticals, wireless communications, internet, software and business process areas. Our patent practitioners provide clearance opinions, counsel on design-around options, devise licensing strategies, prosecute domestic and international patent applications, represent patent holders and requesters in reexamination proceedings and enforce and defend against claims of patent infringement in the courts.

Our copyright practice offers a complete scope of services to assist clients in all matters pertaining to obtaining, enforcing, licensing, buying and selling copyrights and copyrighted material, including literary works, music and video delivered via broadcast and cable. They are well-versed in the protection of computer software, database and information licensing, multimedia and related areas of Internet-copyright issues, advertising, character licensing, and rights of publicity and privacy.

Our technology law practice recognizes the pace at which these advancements are affecting the day-to-day operations of our clients. We specialize in helping clients exploit such developments to stay ahead of the curve by understanding the way technology influences business. It is not merely the convergence of the media, entertainment and technology industries, but the impact of such convergence on the global consumer, which drives the marketplace forward. We combine the resources and experience of a traditional law firm with an understanding and passion for today’s cutting-edge technologies to assist our clients in navigating the new realities and challenges arising from this shifting landscape.

Our Paris-based technology practice advises U.S. companies in their acquisition of French and European new technology companies, as well as French investors in connection with their strategic investments in the United States.  Our American lawyers in Paris are particularly attuned to counseling American companies in the specificities of the French legal and regulatory framework and have been responsible for adapting the contracts of numerous major Silicon Valley and route 128-based companies to the requirements of French and European law.