The acquisition, development, use, management, retention and sale of intellectual property and intellectual property rights is becoming increasingly important to all businesses. Poyner Spruill's attorneys have historically advised and represented clients in many areas encompassed within the practice of Intellectual Property Law and the firm has recently begun coordinating its practice through an Intellectual Property Law Group which consists of attorneys from both the Business Department and the Litigation Department. The Group's efforts are focused in the areas of trademark and copyright applications and registrations, employer/employee relations in the area of trade secrets, computer and software licensing, sports and entertainment licensing and other licensing related to intellectual property, franchising, telecommunications and property law issues related to international treaties such as NAFTA and GATT. They also represent clients in the prosecution and defense of litigation in a wide variety of areas involving intellectual property, including trade secrets, trademark and trade name infringement, copyright infringement, non-compete agreements and telecommunications regulatory hearings and appeals. In the specialized areas of intellectual property law in which the Group's attorneys do not regularly practice, such as patent applications, the attorneys in the Group have established relationships with other law firms which specialize in such areas. The Group routinely advises clients on the use of such firms and serves as co-counsel with such firms in handling the intellectual property law needs of clients. The Group's goal is to bring to a client the appropriate legal resources necessary to effectively and efficiently deal with the issues confronting the client.