IP Contracts
Clear, well-structured contracts form the backbone of successful IP transactions.
At Panoramix IP, we draft and negotiate agreements that cover a range of scenarios, from licensing and IP transfers to joint ventures. By customising each contract to fit the needs of you and your business, we reduce legal risks and foster mutually beneficial arrangements for long-term partnerships.
We advise on the complexities of intellectual property ownership, ensuring you are fully protected when buying or selling IP. Our detail-oriented approach also helps safeguard against unexpected disputes or hidden liabilities.
Whether you are a start-up or a multinational corporation, our contract solutions provide clarity, confidence and commercial value. Let Panoramix IP guide your IP negotiations every step of the way.
Interested? Contact us today to get started.
Client Testimonials
FAQs
What types of IP contracts does my business need?
It depends on what you do, but the common ones are: assignments (to transfer ownership of IP), licences (to let others use it on agreed terms), confidentiality/NDAs (to protect information before you share it), IP clauses in employment and contractor agreements (to make sure the business owns what it pays for), and joint-development or collaboration agreements. We draft and review all of these and tailor them to your situation.
What's the difference between assigning and licensing IP?
An assignment transfers ownership outright – once assigned, the IP belongs to someone else. A licence keeps ownership with you but grants permission to use the IP on defined terms (exclusive or not, for a period, territory or purpose, usually for a fee or royalty). Licensing lets you keep and monetise an asset; assignment is an outright sale. Getting the wording precise matters, and we make sure it reflects the deal you actually intend.
Do I automatically own IP created by a freelancer or agency?
Usually not — and this catches many businesses out. In the UK, a freelancer or agency generally owns the copyright in what they create for you unless your contract assigns it to you in writing, even though you paid for it. Employees are different: work created in the course of employment is normally owned by the employer. Before commissioning logos, code, content or designs, get a written assignment in place. We can provide one.
When do I need an NDA (confidentiality agreement)?
Any time you’re about to share sensitive information — a product idea, financials, know-how, an unfiled invention — with someone outside your business, such as a potential partner, investor, manufacturer or contractor. An NDA sets out what’s confidential and how it can be used. It’s especially important before disclosing an invention, because a public, unprotected disclosure can destroy your ability to patent it. We prepare NDAs that are robust but proportionate.
Who owns the IP in a joint venture or collaboration?
Whoever the contract says — which is exactly why you should agree it in writing at the outset, not after the work is done. Without clear terms, jointly created IP can end up co-owned in ways that make it hard for either side to use or license freely. A well-drafted collaboration or joint-development agreement sets out ownership, use rights and what happens if the parties part ways. We put these in place before problems arise.
Can you review an IP contract someone has sent me?
Yes — that’s one of our most common jobs. We review licences, assignments, NDAs, collaboration agreements and the IP clauses buried in wider commercial contracts, flag anything that puts your rights or interests at risk, and suggest practical redlines. Whether you’ve been sent a supplier’s standard terms or a bespoke deal, we’ll make sure you understand what you’re signing and that it protects you.
Our Case Studies
Case Study: Wow Hydrate
Case Study: Escape Fitness
Case Study: British American Tobacco
Case Study: Cambridge Mechatronics
Case Study: Lincoln City Football Club
Case Study: The Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys
