---
title: "Intellectual Property, Media & Press Litigation"
id: "2018"
type: "expertise"
slug: "intellectual-property-media-et-press-litigation"
published_at: "2026-01-25T20:34:59+00:00"
modified_at: "2026-07-23T09:54:30+00:00"
url: "https://www.august-debouzy.com/en/expertise/intellectual-property-media-et-press-litigation/"
markdown_url: "https://www.august-debouzy.com/en/expertise/intellectual-property-media-et-press-litigation.md"
excerpt: "Defending rights and reputation before all courts Intangible assets and reputation have become critical strategic concerns for businesses. Counterfeiting, unfair competition, defamation and reputational harm each demand a response that is technical, swift and precisely calibrated. The rise of digital..."
taxonomy_language:
  - "English"
taxonomy_post_translations:
  - "pll_69767e73c55e5"
taxonomy_tax_expertise:
  - "Intellectual Property, Media, and Press Litigation"
taxonomy_tax_famille_expertise:
  - "Dispute Resolution"
---

## Defending rights and reputation before all courts

Intangible assets and reputation have become critical strategic concerns for businesses. Counterfeiting, unfair competition, defamation and reputational harm each demand a response that is technical, swift and precisely calibrated. The rise of digital platforms and European regulations (DSA, DMA, AI Act, Data Act, Copyright Directive, EMFA) are redefining the balance between freedom of expression, innovation and rights protection.

We design and execute litigation strategies before civil, criminal and administrative courts in France and abroad, as well as before the INPI, EUIPO and international offices.

Our approach combines legal expertise, technological insight and sensitivity to reputational stakes to defend luxury groups, technology companies, creators, media publishers, digital platforms and executives. Each case draws on rigorous evidentiary analysis, precise damage quantification and procedural foresight to obtain redress, stop infringements and strengthen your position.

## *our*Capabilities

### (01) Trademark, Design, and Unfair Competition Litigation

We conduct infringement actions involving trademarks, designs, models, and know-how before all competent courts. Each strategy integrates seizure operations, evidentiary collection, and the economic valuation of damages. When our clients are accused of infringement, we build the most effective defense, whether by challenging the validity, scope, or enforceability of the asserted rights. This dual perspective allows us to adapt our posture—offensive or defensive—according to procedural developments. We assess market share impacts, measure competitive harm, and restore economic balance in the face of adversarial tactics.

### (02) Copyright and Related Rights Litigation

Authorship disputes, rights transfers, author compensation, and infringement of artistic, literary, or software works are managed for creators, producers, publishers, developers, and platforms. Each case requires identifying the legal nature of the rights, analyzing exploitation agreements, and demonstrating the originality of the works. We also address emerging issues related to AI-generated content and new forms of digital creation. This dual technical and contractual perspective safeguards the commercial use of intellectual works.

### (03) Emergency Measures and Crisis Management

Stopping counterfeiting, securing the removal of defamatory content, or blocking the disclosure of confidential information—our team acts swiftly through summary proceedings to protect rights and reputation. We organize seizure procedures, bailiff reports, and urgent actions in cases of flagrancy. Each intervention mobilizes a crisis unit combining legal, technical, and communication expertise. This responsiveness limits economic and reputational damage, preserves material evidence, and creates the conditions for rapid resolution. Urgency requires immediate coordination between litigation and communications teams.

### (04) Media, Press, and Reputation Protection Litigation

Defamation, invasion of privacy, disinformation, AI-generated content, right to be forgotten—we act in disputes related to media publications, digital platforms, and social networks to secure content removal, halt dissemination, and restore reputation. We represent companies, executives, journalists, and public figures. Each case balances press law, freedom of expression, and new European frameworks (DSA, EMFA). We coordinate litigation and crisis communication to control the news cycle and safeguard institutional image.

### (05) Multijurisdictional Litigation and Proceedings before IP Offices

EU trademarks, Community designs, EUIPO Board of Appeal decisions—we coordinate disputes involving multiple jurisdictions or European titles. We represent clients before the INPI, EUIPO, and WIPO in opposition, invalidity, and revocation proceedings. Each action is aligned with an international strategy developed in collaboration with our foreign partners. We also use mediation, arbitration, and UDRP procedures for domain names when speed or confidentiality is a priority. This approach ensures consistent positioning at both European and global levels.

### (06) Contracts and Audits in Corporate Transactions

In mergers, acquisitions, capital raises, or asset transfers, we assess IP portfolios and litigation risks in strategic operations. Our work includes IP due diligence, ownership audits, and identification of ongoing or potential disputes to evaluate the legal soundness and economic value of intangible assets. We draft tailored representations and warranties, negotiate licensing or transfer terms, and design post-transaction protection frameworks. This integrated approach anticipates future conflicts and enhances the value of your brands, creations, and know-how in negotiations.

Collective excellence

at the service of the

*highest standards.*

Team

[Basile Ader ( Partner )](https://www.august-debouzy.com/en/collaborateur/basile-ader/)

[Grégoire Desrousseaux ( European Patent Attorney, Partner )](https://www.august-debouzy.com/en/collaborateur/gregoire-desrousseaux/)

[Amélie Tripet ( Counsel )](https://www.august-debouzy.com/en/collaborateur/amelie-tripet/)

[Inès Bouzayen ( Senior Associate )](https://www.august-debouzy.com/en/collaborateur/ines-bouzayen/)

[Charlotte Chen ( Senior Associate )](https://www.august-debouzy.com/en/collaborateur/charlotte-chen/)

[Candice Dupin ( Senior Associate )](https://www.august-debouzy.com/en/collaborateur/candice-dupin/)

[Alexandre Mennucci ( Senior Associate )](https://www.august-debouzy.com/en/collaborateur/alexandre-mennucci/)

[Marie Edelstenne ( Associate )](https://www.august-debouzy.com/en/collaborateur/marie-edelstenne/)

Précédent     Suivant

## Contact Us

## *our*References

Restructuring

#### Football Club – Restructuring

Advised FC Girondins de Bordeaux and its holding company, La Dynamie, in structuring and securing court approval of their financial restructuring plan carried out using the ‘classes de parties affectées’ mechanism.

Restructuring

#### Childcare Services – Safeguard Proceedings

Advised the founders and majority shareholders of People & Baby in safeguard proceedings that resulted in a debt-to-equity conversion of approximately €250 million.

Restructuring

#### Shipping – Debt Renegotiation

Advised Brittany Ferries on its proposed acquisition of control of Condor Ferries, including the renegotiation of the Condor group’s financial indebtedness and securing the consent of Brittany Ferries’ French lending banks.

*Rankings*& Recognitions

m

- (01)Legal 500 2026 – France Media & entertainment: newspaper
- (02)Legal 500 2026 – France Media & Entertainment: Sports
- (03)Legal 500 2026 – France Industry focus : Healthcare and life sciences

[More distinctions](https://www.august-debouzy.com/en/distinctions/?search_tax-expertise%5B%5D=intellectual-property-media-and-press-litigation)

## *FAQ*

### (01) How can you bring intellectual property litigation for trademark, patent or design infringement?

Intellectual property infringement (trademarks, patents, designs, software) causes direct economic harm and damages the company’s image. Article L. 335-2 of the French Intellectual Property Code punishes copyright infringement with three years’ imprisonment and a EUR 300,000 fine. We lead litigation strategy for claimants and defendants: seizure orders, interim proceedings, actions on the merits, damage assessment and settlement negotiations. For unfair competition and free-riding claims, we combine infringement and tort law grounds to maximize compensation.

### (02) How can you defend a copyright or neighboring rights dispute in the digital age?

The rise of digital platforms and generative AI is reshaping the balance between copyright, freedom of expression and innovation. Directive (EU) 2019/790 on copyright in the Digital Single Market, applicable since 7 June 2021, introduced new obligations for content-sharing platforms and a neighboring right for press publishers. We defend creators, publishers, producers and technology companies in disputes over the unauthorized reproduction, communication, adaptation or exploitation of protected works, including in the context of AI-generated content.

### (03) What emergency measures can stop an infringement of intellectual property or reputation?

When an infringement, free-riding or reputational attack is ongoing, the speed of response determines the effectiveness of protection. The interim relief judge may order provisional measures (injunctions, removal, sequestration) within very short timeframes. Seizure orders, granted ex parte by the president of the judicial tribunal, enable evidence of the infringement to be secured before any action on the merits. We manage these emergency proceedings by coordinating judicial, technical (bailiff reports, digital forensics) and communications aspects to contain harm and preserve our clients’ rights.

### (04) How should you act in press, defamation or reputation litigation?

Press, defamation and reputation disputes follow specific procedural rules and an extremely short limitation period. Article 65 of the Law of 29 July 1881 bars both criminal and civil actions three months after publication of the disputed statements, requiring an immediate response. We assist companies, executives and public figures in defending their reputation: preliminary evidence reports, defamation or insult proceedings, right of reply procedures and requests for removal of online content. Each action is calibrated to balance reputation protection with respect for freedom of expression.

### (05) How can you coordinate intellectual property litigation across multiple jurisdictions or offices?

Intellectual property infringements frequently cross borders: transnational counterfeiting, disputes before European offices (EUIPO, EPO), parallel proceedings in multiple states. We design multijurisdictional strategies coordinating actions before national courts, the UPC and patent/trademark offices, integrating opposition, cancellation and revocation proceedings. For corporate transactions (M&A, joint ventures, licences), we conduct intellectual property portfolio audits and secure contractual provisions relating to intangible assets.

### (06) Why choose August Debouzy as your law firm for intellectual property, media and press litigation in France?

Luxury groups, technology companies, creators, press publishers, digital platforms and executives entrust us with their most exposed disputes. Our approach combines legal mastery, understanding of technological issues and sensitivity to reputational dimensions. Every case relies on rigorous evidence analysis, precise damage assessment and anticipation of procedural developments, in order to obtain compensation, stop infringements and consolidate our clients’ positions.