An IP investigation is almost always the essential first step before any enforcement action, because litigation without solid evidence is both risky and expensive. An investigation establishes the facts — who is infringing, how, at what scale, and through which channels — giving you the evidence base needed to pursue the most effective enforcement strategy, whether that is a cease-and-desist letter, a negotiated settlement, an urgent injunction, or full litigation. Going to court without a thorough investigation significantly increases your risk of failure.

Depending on the nature of the infringement, evidence gathering may include test purchases of suspected infringing products, online monitoring and digital forensics, market surveillance and field investigations, supply chain tracing, WHOIS and domain registry searches, technical expert analysis, review of publicly available corporate and registry records, and — in appropriate cases — coordination with customs authorities and law enforcement agencies. Our team ensures all evidence is gathered in a manner that is legally admissible and ethically sound.

Yes, and in most cases discretion is absolutely critical. Alerting an infringer before sufficient evidence has been gathered gives them the opportunity to destroy evidence, modify their infringing activity, or move assets beyond reach. Our investigations are conducted with strict confidentiality protocols, and we advise clients carefully on when and how to move from the investigative phase to active enforcement to maximise the impact of the action taken.

Evidence gathered during an IP investigation is documented, preserved, and organised into a comprehensive investigation report structured to support the specific enforcement action being pursued — whether that is a civil lawsuit, a criminal complaint, a customs seizure, a platform takedown, or a negotiated settlement. Our team ensures the chain of custody for all evidence is maintained and that every piece of evidence is presented in the format required by the relevant legal proceedings.

Yes. Cross-border IP infringement — particularly in manufacturing, counterfeiting, and online piracy — is increasingly common, and effective investigation often requires coordinated intelligence gathering across multiple jurisdictions simultaneously. Our team works with a trusted network of international IP investigators and counsel to conduct cross-border investigations efficiently, ensuring that evidence gathered in each jurisdiction meets the legal standards required for enforcement in that market.

Act immediately and do not confront the individual without legal advice. Contact our team as a matter of urgency. We will advise you on securing your remaining confidential information, preserving digital evidence before it is deleted, and conducting a forensic investigation into what was accessed, copied, or transmitted — building the evidentiary record needed to pursue urgent injunctive relief and full legal action against the perpetrator as swiftly as possible.

Common indicators include unauthorised sellers on e-commerce platforms offering your products at unusually low prices, customer complaints about product quality or authenticity, social media accounts impersonating your brand, and websites using your trademarks without authorisation. If you notice any of these warning signs, our team can conduct a systematic online brand monitoring and investigation exercise to map the full extent of the infringing activity and take targeted enforcement action across all identified platforms and channels.