Who Are We?

Briffa is a highly regarded intellectual property law firm that specialises in copyright. We help those in the creative industries and beyond protect their work from copying and misuse, whether wholly or substantially.

Recognised by the Legal500 as a leading firm, we act on behalf of individuals and organisations across the UK. Our solicitors have in-depth knowledge of copyright law, and we have helped our clients successfully navigate and resolve copyright disputes for more than 25 years.

In the process, we’ve clocked up hundreds of positive reviews and several awards.

So, if you need a copyright lawyer you can trust, please get in touch to book a free consultation. You can fill out a form and we will contact you within one business day, or feel free to call us on +44 0207 096 27 79.

Testimonial

“My experience with Briffa has been brilliant. I approached Tom Synott about some copyright and intellectual property help.

The advice I received from the get-go was superb. Tom’s response time has always been incredible and he has really gone above and beyond to help me with any queries I had, both by phone and email. He really helped me sort out the problem I had with excellent knowledge and efficiency.”

Anya Angert

How Can We Help?

Copyright Protection

Copyright arises automatically upon the creation of particular works and does not need to be registered explicitly in the UK or Europe.

However, it is vital to keep records of your creative process when undertaking or creating new works, in case of theft or copying. In software, you should include “footprints”, such as a deliberate mistake that uniquely identifies you as the author. Electronic imagery and videos should have watermarks or comments to assert ownership. When working on any new work, you should keep a full dated record of your background work, from the first scribbles on the back of an envelope to the finished piece.

All of the above will ensure your work is fully protected in the event of an infringement, which is where specialist copyright solicitors can step in to help.

Copyright Infringement

Copyright infringement occurs when another party copies or uses your work without permission, even if they only copy part of the work.

In some cases, infringements are blatant, but most cases that end up in court are not so clear. There is no hard and fast rule to proving an infringement; that’s why it’s vital to seek experienced legal advice as soon as possible when you suspect that someone is copying your work.

Our copyright infringement lawyers have dealt with many types of cases – clear and unclear. We can provide insight into the court process, assess the opponent and the potential loss, and recommend the right enforcement action to protect your work.

Alternatively, if another party believes you have infringed their copyright, then we can review and advise on your case. If you have a good legal case for defending the claim, we can lead that process for you.

Why Choose Briffa?

We have been providing copyright services since 1995

We offer a free consultation to discuss your copyright issues before any fixed-fee quotes are given

We have offices in the UK and Europe to support clients across multiple jurisdictions

We offer an industry-leading service with short turnaround times and business-focused advice

Frequently Asked Questions

What is copyright?

Copyright is one of several intellectual property rights. It is given automatically to a creator of an original work to use and reproduce that work exclusively, which protects against others duplicating or using the work without their permission. In the UK, the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 covers copyright law, which replaced the Copyright Act of 1956.

The copyright owner may not always be clear-cut. For example, when a business’ employees create work, the copyright owner is (usually) the business and not the employee. However, if the company instructs a third party to create work on their behalf (e.g. a design), the third party may own the copyright unless they transfer the rights.

What’s the difference between copyright and trade marks?

Both trade marks and copyright are forms of intellectual property. However, they differ in scope and application.

A trade mark protects brand assets, such as names, logos and slogans. It is a registered right, meaning that you need to successfully submit an application with an Intellectual Property Office to protect your assets. Conversely, copyright protects creative works, such as a script, drawing, or piece of music. And, furthermore, it isn’t a registered right. Instead, it exists as soon as the work is created.

How long does copyright last?

Subject to some exceptions, copyright typically lasts for 70 years after the death of the author. This is much longer than some other IP rights, such as designs and patents, and it means that there is a significant amount of time to monetise your copyright work with, for example, a licence agreement.

What should I do if someone infringes my copyright?

If you believe another individual or company is infringing your copyright, you should collect evidence – screenshots and website links are a good start. Next, you should seek legal advice.

A legal professional will assess the details of the case and provide practical advice on the best course of action. The aim always should be to resolve the infringement in the quickest and most cost-effective manner. Most of the time, a resolution is found before court proceedings are necessary.

Who do you help?

Our copyright lawyers work with clients from a wide variety of sectors. For example:

  • We have solved disputes over the copying of music between artists, managers and publishers
  • We have aided book publishers with contracts and disputes
  • We have drawn up publishing agreements and licenses for computer games
  • We have aided artists with resale rights
  • We have protected graphic designers from the copying of designs
  • We have, on several occasions, addressed issues of employee copyright breaches where former employees seek to set up in competition

In short, it doesn’t matter if you’re an individual creator, start-up, SME or multinational company, our copyright solicitors have the experience and industry knowledge to guide you through all legal matters.

Key Contacts for Copyright

Meet some of our specialists for this area below, or follow the link to meet the rest of the team.

Book a consultation with a copyright lawyer

We’ll start with a no obligation chat where we’ll get to know you and understand your current challenges.

Fill out the form below to request a callback.

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