IP Due Diligence in Albania

Andoni Law & Tax assists investors, buyers, companies and international clients with intellectual property due diligence in Albania — a structured legal review of IP assets, registrations and contracts carried out before a transaction, investment or licensing decision.

Intellectual property is often among the most valuable assets of a business, yet its legal position is not always as clear as it appears. A trademark may be unregistered or registered in the name of the wrong entity, software may have been developed by contractors without written assignments, and a license agreement may contain restrictions that affect the value of the deal.

Our role is to review the file, verify what can be verified against the public registers, and report the actual legal position of the IP portfolio in a clear and usable way.

What This Service Covers

Depending on the scope agreed with the client, an IP due diligence review in Albania may include:

• verification of trademark, patent and industrial design registrations, including checks with the General Directorate of Industrial Property (DPPI) where applicable
• review of ownership, chain of title, assignments and renewals
• analysis of license, franchise, distribution and co-existence agreements
• review of copyright and software ownership, including works created by employees and external developers
• review of IP clauses in employment, development and services contracts
• checks on domain names and trade names, in coordination with National Business Center (QKB) records where relevant
• identification of oppositions, disputes or third-party claims visible from the documents reviewed
• a written report with findings, risk assessment and practical recommendations

When This Service Is Appropriate

IP due diligence is typically requested:

• before acquiring a company, business or brand in Albania
• before investing in or financing a company whose value depends on technology or brands
• before entering a license, franchise or distribution relationship
• before purchasing software, content or a design portfolio
• when preparing a company for sale, investment or restructuring
• before starting enforcement action, where the strength of the rights should be assessed first

Why Legal Support Matters

IP problems are rarely visible on the surface. A brand may be in daily use while its registration has lapsed, belongs to a former partner or covers the wrong classes. Such defects usually emerge only when a transaction, dispute or investment forces a closer look — often at the worst possible moment.

A structured legal review allows the client to negotiate with accurate information. Depending on the findings, the parties may adjust the price, require corrective steps such as assignments or new registrations, add warranties to the contract or, in certain cases, reconsider the transaction.

How We Work

1. We define the scope

We agree with the client which assets, contracts and jurisdictions the review should cover, so that the work remains focused and proportionate to the transaction.

2. We collect and review the documents

We examine registration certificates, contracts, assignments, licenses and internal documents provided by the client or the counterparty.

3. We verify registrations and public records

Where applicable, we check the relevant registers, including DPPI records for trademarks, patents and designs, and QKB records for company-related matters.

4. We assess gaps and risks

We identify missing assignments, lapsed registrations, conflicting rights, restrictive clauses and other issues that may affect the value or transferability of the assets.

5. We report and advise on next steps

We deliver a written report with our findings and discuss with the client the possible corrective steps, contractual protections or negotiation points.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is IP due diligence?

It is a structured legal review of intellectual property assets, registrations and contracts, usually carried out before a transaction, investment or licensing decision, to identify risks and defects in the rights involved.

When should IP due diligence be carried out?

Ideally before signing. Findings such as missing assignments or lapsed registrations can then be reflected in the price, the warranties or the structure of the transaction.

Can you verify trademarks and patents in Albania?

In many cases, yes. We may check the registers of the General Directorate of Industrial Property (DPPI) and review the underlying documents, subject to the information available in each file.

Do you review software and copyright ownership?

Yes. Because copyright is not registered in the same way as trademarks, ownership usually depends on contracts, so we review employment agreements, development contracts and assignments with particular care.

What do we receive at the end of the review?

Typically a written report with the findings, a risk assessment and practical recommendations, adapted to the scope agreed at the start of the engagement.

Considering a Deal That Involves IP in Albania?

Contact Andoni Law & Tax to discuss the transaction, define the scope of the review and receive a clear picture of the IP position before you sign.

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