The Legal 500

United Kingdom > West Midlands > TMT (technology, media and telecoms) > Intellectual property

Editorial sections

Other

All countries

Clients ‘place a great deal of value on the advice’ received from Wragge & Co LLP. Nick Cunningham advised the Liberal Democrat Party on reputational issues throughout the election campaign, while Gordon Harris represented Premium Aircraft Interiors Group in a patent dispute regarding aircraft seats. Luke Kempton and Patrick Duxbury are ‘particularly good in the life sciences sector’, and David Barron ‘is creative, organised and always responsive’.

DLA Piper UK LLP’s ‘strongest qualities lie in its depth of knowledge, a thorough understanding of patents, and a team that is very communicative and inclusive of the client’. It advised Avon Cosmetics on the IP aspects of its acquisition of Liz Earle Cosmetics, and represented Aga Rangemaster Group in patent infringement proceedings. Marie McMorrow is ‘capable, committed and approachable’.

Pinsent Masons LLP successfully represented Nanjing Automobile in High Court and Court of Appeal proceedings related to the infringement and passing off of the MG trade mark and octagon logo. Other clients include Kraft Foods, LG and Aviva. Rupert Bent joined from Bond Pearce LLP to head up the contentious IP practice. Cerys Wyn Davies is recommended.

Squire Sanders Hammonds is currently acting for the Secretary of State for Health in pursuing NHS Yearbook for trade mark infringement and passing off, and regularly advises Delta Anti-Piracy, an enforcement body set up to protect IP owners from infringement. Andrew Clay is the key contact.

In 2010, Browne Jacobson LLP won new clients such as Thorntons, Bad Company and Codemasters, and advised MACE Group on the second phase of its global rebrand initiative. Declan Cushley ‘provides excellent service, and is commercial and pragmatic’.

Cobbetts LLP’s ‘advice is always timely, relevant, and tailored to the client’s situation’. The group advised EMIS on the IP aspects of entering the AIM market and its subsequent acquisition of the majority of the share capital of RX Systems. Frances Anderson has a ‘quiet authority and no-nonsense approach that gets the deal done’.

The team at Eversheds LLP is ‘dedicated to driving projects to completion in a commercial way’, and is currently advising the Olympic Park Legacy Company on a range of agreements and long term naming rights. The team is led by James Fry, and acts for clients such as Mary Quant and Omnibus Systems.

Gateley advised Bliss Homes on brand and image licensing, and advised on the licensed IP rights for the Modec/Navistar joint venture. Simon Pigden heads the team.

Martineau continued to represent Lyle & Scott in the long-running trade mark dispute with American Eagle Outfitters, and advises Springfoam Technology on whether developments are patentable. The team handles an even mix of contentious and non-contentious matters. Helen Driscoll and Des Burley are the key contacts.

Shakespeares delivers ‘value for money’ and ‘advice that is clear and unambiguous’. It advised Cambridge Weight Plan on the development of a new brand and the policing of third-party infringers. Nick Briggs ‘makes litigation painless’.

Search News and Articles

Press releases

The latest news direct from law firms. If you would like to submit press releases for your firm, send an email request to

Legal Developments in the UK

Legal Developments and updates from the leading lawyers in each jurisdiction. To contribute, send an email request to

  • COUNCIL TAX

    In Harrow LBC v Ayiku [2012] EWHC 1200 (Admin) Sales J held that the word “or” in the Council Tax (Exempt Dwellings) Order 1992, art 3 Class N, had a disjunctive meaning, therefore it was sufficient for the non-British spouse of a foreign student to satisfy one or other of the two conditions, namely being prevented from taking paid employment or being prevented from claiming benefits, in order to qualify as a “relevant person” who was exempted from liability to pay council tax.
    - 11KBW

  • QUEEN’S SPEECH

    Bills already introduced pursuant to the Queen’s Speech on 9 May 2012 include Local Government Finance Bill and Electoral Registration and Administration Bill, both accompanied by Explanatory Notes, which in each case address ECHR compatibility.
    - 11KBW

  • Standards

    In R (Calver) v Adjudication Panel for Wales [2012] EWHC 1172 (Admin) Mr Calver was a member of Manorbier Community Council who successfully challenged the decision of the Panel to dismiss his appeal against a decision by Prembrokeshire County Council Standards Committee censuring him for a number of comments or blogs posted by him on a website he owned and controlled.
    - 11KBW

  • A justified retrospective

    Clive Sheldon - QC debates the pros & cons of retrospective tax legislation
    - 11KBW

  • Public Sector Equality Duty (“PSED”)

    In R (Greenwich Community Law Centre) v Greenwich LBC [2012] EWCA Civ 496 the Court of Appeal held that the Council had had “due regard to the PSED when making changes to its funding of community legal advice services”. At para 30 Elias LJ said:
    - 11KBW

  • Public Sector Equality Duty

    Surrey County Council conducted a review of its Library Service. This culminated in a Report to the Council’s Cabinet. The Recommendations in the Report included that there should be consultation about a community-partnership approach at selected Libraries.
    - 11KBW

  • Judicial Review

    The Judgment of Lindblom J in The Manydown Co Ltd v Basingstoke and Deane BC [2012] EWHC 977 (Admin) repays attention. The Claimant sought to challenge by judicial review 2 decisions of the Council: (1) the Council’s refusal to reconsider its position on the development of a site that it owns (and is the subject matter of a Joint Development Partnership Agreement with the Claimant); and (2) a decision of the Council’s Cabinet approving a selection of sites for development which did not include this site.
    - 11KBW

  • The Health and Social Care Act 2012: impact on adult social services

    After its torrid passage through Parliament, the Health and Social Care Bill received Royal Assent on 27 March 2012. The Act deals principally with healthcare reform, but it also contains some amendments to the legislative framework for social care. It will come into force on a day yet to be appointed by the Secretary of State.
    - 11KBW

  • Immigration update May 2012

    In this issue:
    - Penningtons Solicitors LLP

  • Premium service for tier 2 and 5 sponsors to be launched

    A premium service for sponsors will be launched by the UKBA on 6 April 2012. The service is designed specifically for companies that sponsor international employees under tier 2 and 5 of the points based system and aims to provide them with enhanced support.
    - Penningtons Solicitors LLP

Press Releases in the UK

The latest news direct from law firms. If you would like to submit press releases for your firm, send an email request to
© 2012 www.legal500.com