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Propiedad intelectual

Intellectual property law attorney to protect trademarks, creative works, software, and intangible assets.

Cafore Abogados supports entrepreneurs, companies, creators, developers and brand owners when an intangible asset needs protection, a contract, defense or strategy: trademarks, copyright, software, licensing, technology, oppositions and litigation.

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Trademarks Derechos de autor Software Licenses Oppositions Technology Intangibles

A direct answer

What Cafore does in intellectual property.

An intellectual property lawyer reviews ownership, use, registration, conflict risk, contracts and proof of the intangible asset. At Cafore, the strategy connects protection, commercial exploitation and defense.

Published legal commentary and media presence.

El Tiempo Week Portfolio Media | Cafore Abogados. Press articles, interviews and media coverage of our firm. Legal Sphere Infobae
Cafore Abogados S. A. S. Bogotá, Colombia Intellectual Property with a focus on strategy, evidence, and decision-making About Us Team
01Pinpoint the problemFacts, urgency, and objective. 02Review the foundationDocuments, evidence, and connected risks. 03Pinpoint the litigationProceedings, actions, offenses, or authorities. 04Resolve doubtsQuestions grouped by moment and decision.

When it makes sense

Consult us when a trademark, work, software, license, or intangible asset must be protected before you grow, negotiate, or defend it.

An early review makes it possible to organize the facts, gauge the urgency, and avoid responses, signatures, or communications that could later weaken your legal position.

Common situation

Trademark or trade name.

You want to register, use, buy, license, or defend a trademark without exposure to oppositions.

Common situation

Work, software, or content.

You need to protect copyright, assignments, licenses, developments, or digital assets.

Common situation

Conflict or copying.

There is unauthorized use, a claim, competition, an ambiguous contract, or technological risk.

Quick assessment

Choose the starting point. The response changes according to the risk, the evidence, and the deadline.

Trademark: what to put in order first.

You want to register, use, buy, license, or defend a trademark without exposing yourself to oppositions. The initial review separates urgency, evidence, and decision so the next step rests on firmer ground.

Signs
  • Trademark or trade name
  • Trademark and patent registration
  • Companies, contracts, technology, consumer matters, digital criminal law, and the value of the business
Documents
  • Name, logo, class, use, searches, and trademark background
  • Creation, assignment, development, or license agreements
  • Evidence of use, authorship, date, investment, and exploitation
Route
  • Decide on registration or defense
  • Organize ownership and contracts
  • Prepare a license, assignment, or transfer

Documents, risks, and decisions

Risks, documents, and decisions worth organizing.

Each path links the main problem to the available evidence, the deadlines, and the consequences that may change the strategy.

01

Main risk

What typically prompts an intellectual property consultation.

01
Trademark and patent registrationCentral aspect

Trademark and patent registration calls for pinning down facts, responsible parties, deadlines, and concrete consequences. In intellectual property, that first reading determines whether to prevent, negotiate, claim, or prepare a formal action.

  • Facts that must be confirmed.
  • Evidence available and missing.
  • Practical consequence of acting or waiting.
02
Copyright and softwareRisk that changes the strategy

Copyright and software calls for pinning down facts, responsible parties, deadlines, and concrete consequences. In intellectual property, that first reading determines whether to prevent, negotiate, claim, or prepare a formal action.

  • Facts that must be confirmed.
  • Evidence available and missing.
  • Practical consequence of acting or waiting.
03
Intellectual property litigationRisk that changes the strategy

Intellectual property litigation calls for pinning down facts, responsible parties, deadlines, and concrete consequences. In intellectual property, that first reading determines whether to prevent, negotiate, claim, or prepare a formal action.

  • Facts that must be confirmed.
  • Evidence available and missing.
  • Practical consequence of acting or waiting.
04
License agreementsRisk that changes the strategy

License agreements call for pinning down facts, responsible parties, deadlines, and concrete consequences. In intellectual property, that first reading determines whether to prevent, negotiate, claim, or prepare a formal action.

  • Facts that must be confirmed.
  • Evidence available and missing.
  • Practical consequence of acting or waiting.
02

Evidence and documents

The documentary basis that allows decisions with less noise.

01
Name, logo, class, use, searches, and trademark backgroundKey supporting document

Name, logo, class, use, searches, and trademark background help reconstruct the timeline, confirm what can be proven, and detect gaps before you respond, sign, or escalate the conflict.

  • Source document and date.
  • Connection to the fact to be proven.
  • A safe way to request, preserve, or supplement the supporting document.
02
Creation, assignment, development, or license agreementsDocument that organizes the evidence

Creation, assignment, development, or license agreements help reconstruct the timeline, confirm what can be proven, and detect gaps before you respond, sign, or escalate the conflict.

  • Source document and date.
  • Connection to the fact to be proven.
  • A safe way to request, preserve, or supplement the supporting document.
03
Evidence of use, authorship, date, investment, and exploitationDocument that organizes the evidence

Evidence of use, authorship, date, investment, and exploitation helps reconstruct the timeline, confirm what can be proven, and detect gaps before you respond, sign, or escalate the conflict.

  • Source document and date.
  • Connection to the fact to be proven.
  • A safe way to request, preserve, or supplement the supporting document.
04
Communications, claims, oppositions, or detected copiesDocument that organizes the evidence

Communications, claims, oppositions, or detected copies help reconstruct the timeline, confirm what can be proven, and detect gaps before you respond, sign, or escalate the conflict.

  • Source document and date.
  • Connection to the fact to be proven.
  • A safe way to request, preserve, or supplement the supporting document.
03

Course of action

Options to correct, negotiate, claim, defend, or sue.

01
Decide on registration or defensePossible decision

Deciding on registration or defense is assessed by urgency, available evidence, cost, the counterparty, and the expected legal effect. The right path is not always the most aggressive one; it must be the most sustainable.

  • Deadline and authority or opposing party.
  • The risk of negotiating, responding, or suing.
  • The specific outcome being sought.
02
Organize ownership and contractsA path that must be measured with care

Putting ownership and contracts in order is assessed by urgency, available evidence, cost, the counterparty, and the expected legal effect. The right path is not always the most aggressive one; it must be the most sustainable.

  • Deadline and authority or opposing party.
  • The risk of negotiating, responding, or suing.
  • The specific outcome being sought.
03
Prepare a license, assignment, or transferA path that must be measured with care

Preparing a license, assignment, or transfer is assessed by urgency, available evidence, cost, the counterparty, and the expected legal effect. The right path is not always the most aggressive one; it must be the most sustainable.

  • Deadline and authority or opposing party.
  • The risk of negotiating, responding, or suing.
  • The specific outcome being sought.
04
Preserve evidence for an opposition, claim, or litigationA path that must be measured with care

Preserving evidence for an opposition, claim, or litigation is assessed by urgency, available evidence, cost, the counterparty, and the expected legal effect. The right path is not always the most aggressive one; it must be the most sustainable.

  • Deadline and authority or opposing party.
  • The risk of negotiating, responding, or suing.
  • The specific outcome being sought.
04

Connected risks

Matters from other practice areas that may change the strategy.

01
Companies, contracts, technology, consumer matters, digital criminal law, and the value of the businessRelated risk

Companies, contracts, technology, consumer matters, digital criminal law, and the value of the business can reshape the main analysis because they connect intellectual property with other legal, financial, family, business, or reputational risks.

  • Connected area and reason for the overlap.
  • Financial, operational or reputational impact.
  • Coordination needed before the next step.
02
Trademark and patent registrationA front that may broaden the case

Trademark and patent registration can reshape the main analysis because it connects intellectual property with other legal, financial, family, business, or reputational risks.

  • Connected area and reason for the overlap.
  • Financial, operational or reputational impact.
  • Coordination needed before the next step.
03
Copyright and softwareA front that may broaden the case

Copyright and software can reshape the main analysis because they connect intellectual property with other legal, financial, family, business, or reputational risks.

  • Connected area and reason for the overlap.
  • Financial, operational or reputational impact.
  • Coordination needed before the next step.
04
Name, logo, class, use, searches, and trademark backgroundA front that may broaden the case

Name, logo, class, use, searches, and trademark background can reshape the main analysis because they connect intellectual property with other legal, financial, family, business, or reputational risks.

  • Connected area and reason for the overlap.
  • Financial, operational or reputational impact.
  • Coordination needed before the next step.

Intellectual property litigation

Oppositions, infringements, trademarks, copyright, and software.

Intangible assets are defended with evidence of ownership, use, date, authorization, and harm. Litigation may take place before the SIC, the DNDA, the courts, or in contract negotiation.

Review a dispute

Trademarks and distinctive signs

  • Trademark registration
  • Prior-art search
  • Trademark opposition
  • Cancellation for non-use
  • Cancellation of registration
  • Trademark infringement
  • Trade name

Copyright and software

  • Work made for hire
  • Assignment of rights
  • Licenses
  • Software
  • Digital content
  • Unauthorized use
  • Plagiarism

Litigation and remedies

  • Infringement claim
  • Interim measures
  • Unfair competition
  • Compensation for damages
  • Evidence of use
  • Evidence of ownership
  • Chain of creation

Contracts and exploitation

  • Trademark license
  • Technology transfer
  • Franchise
  • Confidentiality
  • Software development
  • Distribution
  • Commercialization of intangibles

Decision point

If you already recognize the main risk, we can review documents and define the next move.

Talk to Cafore

Before you write to us

Five documents for a first review.

Not all of them are required, but they help orient the consultation from the outset.

0 of 5 ready

The Cafore Method

A clear process to move from the problem to a course of action.

The review is not limited to citing rules. It seeks to identify what can be proven, what must be corrected and which decision is best to carry out.

1

Context

We understand the decision, dispute or document that prompted the consultation.

2

Documents

We request only what is needed to assess the case and prioritize the documents that can change the strategy.

3

Map

We separate urgency, risk, possible correction, and the negotiation or litigation scenario.

4

Execution

We prepare documents, responses or actions according to the chosen path.

Possible deliverables

What can be ready after the review.

The outcome depends on the case, but the consultation should result in concrete deliverables, not a loose opinion.

Route

An opinion on the course of action and priorities.

A clear map of urgency, documents, risks and alternatives to decide with less noise.

Documents

Response, contract, minutes, appeal or supporting document.

The review may conclude in legal instruments ready for signing, filing, negotiation or proceedings.

Estrategia

Negotiation, defense or legal action.

If the matter has already escalated, we define the path to talk, respond, claim, or defend.

Scope of the service

Matters we review in intellectual property.

These are the points that usually shape the strategy before responding, signing, negotiating, suing, or defending. The review starts from concrete facts and documents in order to choose a prudent path.

01

Situations we can review.

Common matters that are best read alongside documents, timelines, and real consequences.

Trademarks and distinctive signs

Search, registration, opposition, use, defense, licensing, and likelihood of confusion.

Copyright and software

Ownership, assignment, development, licensing, exploitation, and proof of creation.

License agreements

Authorized use, exclusivity, territory, payments, confidentiality, and termination.

Conflicts and copying

Claims, oppositions, unauthorized use, competition, and preservation of evidence.

02

Documents worth preparing.

Not all are needed from day one, but they help organize the consultation.

  • Name, logo, class, use, searches, and trademark background.
  • Creation, assignment, development, or license agreements.
  • Evidence of use, authorship, date, investment, and exploitation.
  • Communications, claims, oppositions, or detected copies.
03

Possible paths after the review.

The strategy depends on the evidence, deadline, opposing party, authority and objective.

  • Decide on registration, opposition, defense, or negotiation.
  • Organize ownership and contracts before exploiting the asset.
  • Prepare a license, assignment, transfer, or claim.
04

Frequently asked questions about this service.

Initial responses to understand scope, documents and possible paths.

01What does an intellectual property lawyer do in Colombia?

An intellectual property lawyer protects, manages and monetizes the intangible assets of individuals and companies. At Cafore Abogados we offer trademark registration and maintenance before the Superintendency of Industry and Commerce (SIC), processing of invention patents and utility models, registration of works and filings before the National Copyright Directorate (DNDA), and international protection via the Madrid System or direct filings in other jurisdictions. We also advise on protection strategies, monitoring of third-party use and opposition to bad-faith registrations. We serve creators, companies, agencies and entrepreneurs who need their intellectual property to be effectively protected and enforceable.

02How is a trademark registered in Colombia and how long does it take?

Trademark registration in Colombia is processed before the Superintendency of Industry and Commerce (SIC) under the regime of Decision 486 of 2000 of the Andean Community. The process includes a phonetic and figurative prior-art search, filing of the application with Nice classification, publication in the Industrial Property Gazette, a thirty-business-day opposition period and, if no opposition prospers, grant and registration. Typical timelines run from six to twelve months when there are no oppositions. At Cafore Abogados we conduct the prior search, define the most defensible class and distinctive sign, and manage the entire procedure through to delivery of the certificate.

03What should I do if someone is using my trademark, my logo or my content without authorization?

In the face of unauthorized use of a trademark, distinctive sign, protected work or registered invention, the holder has civil, administrative and criminal avenues. At Cafore Abogados we begin with an out-of-court demand (cease and desist) and, if removal is not obtained, we file an infringement action before the Superintendency of Industry and Commerce acting in its judicial capacity, a civil claim for unfair competition (Law 256 of 1996) or a criminal complaint for offenses against industrial property and copyright (articles 270 to 272 of the Criminal Code). We represent our clients in legal disputes to guarantee the defense of their rights in any applicable jurisdiction.

04What does a license or technology transfer agreement cover?

A license or technology transfer agreement regulates the conditions under which a third party may use trademarks, patents, software or know-how. At Cafore Abogados we negotiate and draft agreements that protect the holder's interests and facilitate the proper use of the asset: territory, exclusivity, royalties, payment models (fixed, variable or milestone-based), quality control, confidentiality obligations, non-competition, termination, applicable law and dispute resolution. For international licenses and technology transfer agreements we ensure clear and solid terms to avoid disputes and maximize the benefits of our client's intellectual property asset.

05Does Cafore Abogados protect intellectual property outside Colombia?

Yes. We assist clients with a presence in multiple markets through the Madrid Protocol for international trademark registrations, direct national registrations when the country is not part of the system, and filings before WIPO where applicable. Our practice specializes in international procedures, ensuring that our clients' rights are protected across different jurisdictions. We work with a network of correspondent lawyers in key jurisdictions for Latin America, the United States and Europe. The team's four lawyers hold a Professional Card issued by the Superior Council of the Judiciary — DEAJ and work from the Excélsior Building, Cra. 7 # 12B - 65, Of. 401, in Bogotá.

Related reading

Useful readings before making a decision.

These guides expand on legal topics related to the service and help you prepare better for the consultation.

Personas estrechando manos sobre una mesa con documentos legalesCorporate Law

Key aspects of corporate law in Bogotá.

A guide for companies that need to organize contracts, governance, risks and growth with legal support.

Read article
Documentos legales con tableta, balanza y mazo judicialCommercial law

Commercial companies and contracts in Colombia.

How commercial companies are structured and what risks are worth reviewing before partnering or contracting.

Read article
Illustration on corporate cybercrimeCybercrimes

The role of the criminal defense lawyer in corporate cybercrime.

How to preserve evidence and organize the defense when a digital risk escalates to a criminal matter.

Read article
Flag of Colombia in an article on asset protectionGestión patrimonial

Legal strategies to protect your assets in Colombia.

Strategies to protect family and business assets before a dispute or succession.

Read article
Illustration on a criminal defense attorney in corporate lawCorporate risk

The importance of a criminal defense lawyer in corporate law.

Why corporate criminal risk is key to preventing business crises and investigations.

Read article

Frequently asked questions

Real questions before consulting on intellectual property.

The answers are general. The specific decision depends on the documents, evidence, timelines and circumstances of the case.

Before your consultation

When is it advisable to consult on intellectual property?+
It is advisable to consult when a trademark, work, software, license, or intangible asset must be protected before you grow, negotiate, or defend it. The first review prevents acting on impulse and lets you organize documents, deadlines, and risks.
Do I have to come with all the documents?+
No. It is better to come with what is available and a brief chronology. Afterward, whatever is needed is requested according to the route.
Does the consultation always end in a proceeding?+
No. Sometimes the best way out is to correct, negotiate or prepare a response. A proceeding is an option, not an automatic destination.
What makes an early review different?+
It makes it possible to preserve evidence, measure timelines and avoid communications or signatures that later weaken your position.

Evidence and supporting documents

What documents should I prepare?+
As a baseline: name, logo, class, use, trademark searches and prior records; creation, assignment, development, or license agreements; and evidence of use, authorship, date, investment, and exploitation. If something is missing, it is identified without forcing risky reconstructions.
Do emails, chats or screenshots work?+
They can help, but they must be organized by date, author, context and connection to the fact you want to prove.
What happens if the other party has the documents?+
We review how to request them, what indirect evidence exists and whether it is advisable to use formal requests, conciliation, inspection or procedural measures.
Should I send communications before consulting?+
If there is an urgent deadline, it may be necessary. But in sensitive cases it is advisable to review the message before leaving a written version.

Course of action

How is the course of action decided?+
We review facts, documents, urgency, cost, evidence, and objective. In this area, common paths include defining registration or defense, organizing ownership and contracts, and preparing a license, assignment, or transfer.
When is it advisable to negotiate?+
When there is a real margin for agreement, solid evidence and an outcome that is faster or less costly than litigation.
When is it advisable to escalate?+
When there is urgency, bad faith, a risk of losing evidence, deadlines running, or a refusal that no longer allows an informal solution.
Can I change strategy later?+
Yes. The strategy must be adjusted when new documents, responses from the other party or decisions by the authority emerge.

Costs, timelines and scope

How long does a first review take?+
It depends on the volume of documents and the urgency. The first conversation aims to define the scope and the relevant documents.
Does the advisory service include drafting documents?+
It may include them if the case requires it: notices, contracts, minutes, replies, appeals, lawsuits or agreements.
Can I consult even if I do not want to sue yet?+
Yes. In fact, many good outcomes begin before deciding whether to sue.
What if I want to study the topic before consulting?+
You may review the related readings to understand general concepts, but the specific decision must be made with the documents, deadlines and facts of the case.

Next step

Tell us what decision, dispute or document you need to review.

You don't have to arrive with everything organized. The first review serves to identify which documents matter and which legal path makes sense.

Schedule a consultation