Steve Clarke, CEO of CJCH, pictured with Enitan Aromolaran, senior anti-piracy and compliance team member
A south Wales law firm has secured a £432,000 grant from the Welsh government to establish a global intellectual property (IP) anti-piracy business in Cardiff.
The business – which will create 71 jobs by 2020 – is being spun off by CJCH Solicitors, which has expanded in recent years to include a standalone anti-piracy and compliance offering within its IP division.
This undertakes research and enforce compliance across 37 countries globally, including conducting raids on major infringement suspects. Clients include CJCH Ltd multi-national companies like French-headquartered Dassault Systemes and AVEVA Group plc.
Welsh economy secretary Ken Skates said: “IP piracy, which can range from copyright theft or infringement to counterfeit goods, is a growing global issue that can cause untold damage to businesses, to their protected and valued brands and to the economy.
“It’s good news that CJCH Solicitors – a Welsh law firm – is already playing a key role in successfully tackling and preventing these crimes through the development, innovation and delivery of IP anti-piracy services and is now expanding and creating a new company in this specialist market.
“I am delighted the Welsh government is supporting this investment – we already have the UK Intellectual Property Office headquartered in Newport and this new development can only enhance Wales’ standing as a leading authority in IP as well as a centre of innovation in the business of law and cyber security.”
He added the investment will create highly paid skilled jobs offering significant employment opportunities for law graduates as well as cyber security/forensic IT graduates.
Stephen Clarke, senior partner of CJCH Solicitors, said: “For some time now, our team have concerned ourselves with the growing void in awareness and business readiness in relation to cyber security, IP and data protection.
“We have made it our primary goal to work with our many partners, including institutions such as Swansea University, in narrowing this gap, specifically through the development of best practice and thought leadership in the Welsh, and greater UK, community.
“Cyber-crime is not going to go away, rather it is going to evolve, getting more sophisticated, aggressive and invasive. It is our mission to stay ahead of online criminals and endeavour to protect the IP of the global community.”
The new business will be a separate entity from the main legal practice, located on separate floors, with its own distinct identity and website.
CJCH was formed in 2013 with the merger of Vale of Glamorgan firm Colin Jones Solicitors and Cardiff practice Clarke & Hartland. It has offices in Cardiff, Bridgend, Barry and Bristol, and around 100 fee-earners.