RDJ provides specialist advice on all aspects of IP and IT law. We advise on the creation and protection of intellectual property (IP), including inventions, discoveries, patents, copyright, databases, brands, trade marks, trade secrets, domain names, know-how and designs. Our lawyers also have substantial experience of assisting clients in the acquisition and effective exploitation of intellectual property through licensing, franchising, transfer and other arrangements.

The firm counts amongst its clients in this area several major multinationals and indigenous Irish businesses. We also specialise in acting for growing technology and other businesses and we assist them in negotiating and concluding funding arrangements as well as advising on IP matters. We have also developed significant expertise in the area of technology transfer and other IP arrangements between universities and the private sector. For many years we have advised two of Ireland’s leading universities on IP matters.

Our lawyers advise on data protection and privacy matters, in close conjunction with employment law colleagues. We advise on all kinds of IT contracts (including supply, licensing, services and outsourcing agreements from both the supplier and user perspective) in tandem with providing advice to clients on the applicable regulatory framework within which they operate.

Examples of some recent work include:

• Representing businesses of all sizes on IT procurement projects, including two of Ireland’s largest privately held companies as well as a financial institution
• Advising clients on B2B and B2C sales through the Internet and legal issues associated with business through the Internet generally
• Advising one of Ireland’s largest outsourcing companies on its contractual arrangements, including contracts with semi-state bodies

On the contentious IP side, our Commercial Litigation team has been involved in IP disputes at all levels and regularly works closely with our non-contentious IP and IT lawyers on these matters.