Trusted European IP counsel for international rights holders. From copyright and software to wine appellations and privacy compliance, our Paris-based team protects what you have built across France, the EU and over 150 jurisdictions worldwide.
Intellectual property (IP) law is the body of rules that grants creators and businesses exclusive rights over their inventions, creative works, trademarks identifiers and confidential information. In France and the European Union, IP law combines two distinct branches: industrial property (trademarks, patents, designs, geographical indications) and intellectual property in the strict sense (copyright, software, privacy-related rights, wine appellations). Together they form a layered system that protects both technical innovation and cultural value.
Three reasons international rights holders choose a Paris-based IP firm.
Dreyfus & Associés has been a recognised name in the French IP market for two decades, with founder Nathalie Dreyfus regularly featured as an expert speaker at INTA, AIPPI, MARQUES and ECTA.
Through a curated network of correspondents, we coordinate IP filings, oppositions, customs interventions and litigation in more than 150 countries, including OAPI and ARIPO regions in Africa.
Our attorneys handle matters in English, French, Spanish and Chinese, with extended hours covering North America, the Middle East and Asia.
Recognised across major international rankings for trademark prosecution, anti-counterfeiting, domain name disputes and copyright work in France and Europe.
Although both terms are often used interchangeably, French and EU law draws a useful distinction.
Industrial property covers rights that require registration before an office (trademarks, patents, industrial designs, plant varieties, geographical indications). They are managed by the INPI in France, the EUIPO at EU level, and the EPO for patents.
Intellectual property in the strict sense covers rights that arise automatically from creation, without prior formality. This includes copyright over original works, software, databases, and adjacent privacy-related rights. The four sub-expertises listed below sit in this category.
We frequently act as European counsel for in-house teams based in the United States, India, China, the United Kingdom, Canada, Poland, Switzerland and Turkey. Our role is to translate their portfolio strategy into the French and EU frameworks: filings before the INPI and EUIPO, oppositions, customs surveillance, anti-counterfeiting raids, UDRP and litigation before French specialised courts.
When the matter extends beyond the EU, we coordinate with a vetted network of correspondents in over 150 jurisdictions, so your global IP strategy stays consistent.
We map your existing IP portfolio, identify gaps in your protection and benchmark your position against your French and European competitors.
We define filing priorities, territorial coverage, classifications and budget. We align with your business objectives and your risk tolerance.
We handle the full filing process before INPI, EUIPO, EPO and WIPO, including prior art searches, office actions, oppositions and appeals.
We monitor your rights through trademark watch, online surveillance and customs cooperation, and defend them in court, customs and online marketplaces.
Intellectual property law in France is governed by the French Intellectual Property Code, which combines national rules with EU regulations and international treaties such as the Berne Convention and the Paris Convention. It protects trademarks, patents, designs, copyright, software, geographical indications and adjacent rights.
Yes for most procedures. Foreign companies without an establishment in the EEA must appoint a European Trademark Attorney or a European Patent Attorney to act before the EUIPO, the EPO and French courts. A Paris-based firm acts as your local representative and coordinates filings, oppositions and litigation.
Trademarks last 10 years renewable indefinitely. Patents last 20 years from filing. Designs last up to 25 years. Copyright lasts the lifetime of the author plus 70 years. Geographical indications and appellations have no time limit as long as the product retains its qualifying characteristics.
French copyright protects original works automatically from creation, with no registration required. It includes moral rights that are perpetual and cannot be waived. US copyright allows registration with the Copyright Office and recognises a more limited form of moral rights. Both systems comply with the Berne Convention.
The AI Act, in force since 2024, imposes transparency obligations on providers of general-purpose AI models, including disclosure of copyrighted training data. It interacts with the EU Copyright Directive and creates new compliance duties for AI developers, content owners and rights holders managing licensing strategies in Europe.
Yes. A French firm with a global correspondent network can coordinate IP enforcement across more than 150 jurisdictions, including UDRP arbitration before WIPO, customs seizures in the EU, anti-counterfeiting actions in China and the United States, and trademark filings in OAPI and ARIPO regions in Africa.
