An Unwelcome IP Issue Lurking For Law Firms

Many firms have contracted with vendors to develop logos, themes, websites, brochures or other things that qualify as intellectual property. According to Jay Harrington, an attorney whose business develops such IP, many law firms fail to clarify in advance who becomes the owner of that IP. Harrington says he now raises the issue with his clients, but many vendors don’t, and more remarkably neither do the law firms, who should know better. It’s not that vendors are stealthy or want to make a grab, but disagreements may arise. “It’s in the best interest of both parties to get clarity before they get started,” Harrington says.