Receiving a cease and desist letter from Mathys & Squire can be an unsettling experience, particularly if it alleges that your business has infringed someone else’s intellectual property (IP) rights.

Your first instinct may be to ignore it, respond immediately, or assume you’ve done something wrong. However, none of these are likely to be the best course of action.

The important thing is to understand what the letter means, what rights are being asserted, and what options are available to you before taking any action. This is where our friendly and approachable IP lawyers are here to help you.

In this guide, our IP specialists explain why you may have received a letter from Mathys & Squire, what you should do next, and how specialist intellectual property advice can help.

A female business owner opening a letter from Mathys and Squire.

Who Are Mathys & Squire?

Mathys & Squire is one of the UK’s longest-established intellectual property firms, founded in 1910. Its team of patent, trade mark and design attorneys advises businesses, research institutions and global brands on protecting and enforcing their intellectual property rights.

The firm has its head office in London, with further UK offices in Birmingham, Cambridge, Manchester, Newcastle and Oxford, and an international presence spanning Europe and Asia. It handles the full range of IP work, including patents, trade marks, registered designs and copyright, both contentious and non-contentious.

It’s important to remember that the letter has been sent on behalf of a rights holder. Receiving one does not automatically mean you have infringed their rights, but it does mean the allegation should be taken seriously.

Why Have I Received a Letter from Mathys & Squire?

There are many reasons why Mathys & Squire may contact a business or individual.

Common examples include allegations relating to:

The letter may ask you to stop using a business name or logo, remove products from sale, change branding, transfer a domain name, provide information about your activities, or sign legal undertakings. Exactly what is being requested will depend on the circumstances and the intellectual property rights involved.

What Should You Do If You Receive a Letter from Mathys & Squire?

Although receiving legal correspondence can feel daunting, it is important not to panic or respond hastily. Before taking any action, you should:

  • Read the letter carefully and make sure you understand what is being alleged.
  • Identify the intellectual property rights being relied upon.
  • Keep copies of the letter and any related correspondence or documents.
  • Avoid admitting liability, making commitments or agreeing to anything before seeking advice.
  • Speak to an experienced intellectual property professional at Panoramix IP.

Every intellectual property dispute is different. The claims made against you may have merit, but there may also be grounds to challenge the allegations, defend your position or reach a commercially sensible resolution. Taking the time to understand the strength of the claim and your available options before responding can help you decide on the most appropriate course of action.

Should You Ignore a Letter from Mathys & Squire?

It is important not to ignore a letter from Mathys & Squire.

Failing to respond to correspondence concerning intellectual property rights could cause the matter to escalate and, if a resolution cannot be reached, the rights holder may choose to take further legal action.

However, receiving a letter does not necessarily mean that court proceedings will follow. Many intellectual property disputes can be resolved through discussion and negotiation once both parties have a clearer understanding of their respective legal and commercial positions.

Seeking specialist advice at an early stage can help you understand your options, prepare an appropriate response and potentially resolve the dispute before it becomes more costly or disruptive.

How To Respond To a Cease and Desist Letter From Mathys & Squire

If you have received a letter from Mathys & Squire, or another intellectual property law firm, seeking independent advice from an IP specialist at Panoramix IP can help you understand your legal position, assess the potential impact on your business and make an informed decision about how to respond.

At Panoramix IP, our team brings together UK Chartered Trade Mark Attorneys, European Trade Mark Attorneys, US Trade Mark Attorneys, UK Chartered Patent Attorneys, European Patent Attorneys and dual-qualified IP solicitors. We regularly support businesses facing allegations of intellectual property infringement, providing straightforward, commercially focused advice based on the individual circumstances of each case.

Depending on your situation, we can:

  • Review the allegations and correspondence you have received.
  • Assess the validity and strength of the intellectual property rights being relied upon.
  • Advise on whether infringement may have occurred.
  • Prepare or review a response on your behalf.
  • Communicate and negotiate with the other party.
  • Explore options for resolving the dispute efficiently while protecting your commercial interests.

Our role goes beyond explaining the legal position. We work with you to understand the wider commercial context, consider the options available and help you work towards the most appropriate outcome for your business.

If you would like our support in responding to a cease and desist letter, or would like our representation, please get in touch with our team today. You can do so by calling us on 01522 712433, emailing info@panoramixip.co.uk, or completing the contact form below.