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2008 saw Dickinson Dees LLP build on its reputation in the financial sector, advising new client M&G on the outsourcing agreement for the liftout of the company’s customer contact centre. IP work includes advising a significant number of clients on trade mark protection and portfolio management. Andrew Scott is recommended for IT matters and Mark Pearce for IP work.

Ward Hadaway has a strong reputation for advising public sector clients in IT and ICT matters; clients include Nottingham City Council and Cumbria NHS Trusts. On the IP side it advised Pregis Rigid Packaging Ltd, one of the UK’s largest food packaging manufacturers, on the successful opposition of a design infringement claim. Alex Shiel is recommended.

New client wins for the ‘very responsive and technically sound‘ team at Watson Burton LLP include Fenwick Ltd, Nova International and Strategic Thought. Notable transactions included acting for Minorplanet Systems plc on an R&D collaboration agreement with O2. Boasting an impressive list of sports clients, the team advises Newcastle United FC, Everton FC and Sunderland AFC on brand management and protection issues. Mark Whitehead and Ed Meikle are recommended.

The ‘very responsive & knowledgeable‘ Eversheds LLP team continues to receive instructions from household name clients in the telecoms, IT and health sectors. The firm’s northern practice group boasts the ‘exceptional‘ David Cunningham and Paula Barrett, who is singled out for her expertise in IT and data protection.

Muckle LLP’s practice head Gill Hunter is recommended for advisory work for clients such as Quick TV and IT provider Imass Holdings. Recent IP work includes advising Zytronic Displays Ltd, a manufacturer of touch interactive products, on the management of its global trade mark portfolio. Alex Craig was promoted to partner in 2008 and is also recommended.

Recent IP work for Hay & Kilner includes a commercial dispute involving the design of a new machine process for the manufacture of a security product. The team is well placed to advise on trade mark registrations, and software and licensing agreements. Martin Soloman is recommended.

Handling predominantly IP work, Sintons LLP was instructed by Harlow Printing to advise on complex copyright authorship/ownership issues. Pippa May leads the team, whose other clients include Technology Services Group, a major IT services company.

Baines Wilson Solicitors’ expertise ranges from software development contracts and licensing through to IP portfolio management and UK and EU trade mark and design registration. John Wilson is the name to note.

Crutes Law Firm launched its IP/IT offering at the end of 2008 with the hire of Bob Elliott, formerly at Baines Wilson Solicitors. The practice is one to watch with clients asserting that advice is ‘excellent and prompt‘, and that Elliott has an ‘excellent understanding of clients’ needs‘.

Niall Head-Rapson heads the practice at McDaniel & Co., which offers specialist expertise in the field of biotechnology. The practice remains active advising on patent, trade mark and copyright and design issues.

Clients of Mincoff Jacksons LLP include a niche magazine publisher and various household brand names. A notable instruction saw the team acting for a UK manufacturing company in relation to the alleged infringement of US and Community patent rights. Paul Hughes is recommended.

TBI’s Amanda Mitten is recommended for advice on design and copyright infringement. Clients include Zodiac Training and Wearside Footwear Limited.

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