The Legal 500 > United Kingdom - The Bar > London Bar > Intellectual property

11 South Square is 'a top IP set' with capabilities across the full-range of rights. The group has expertise advising on standard essential patents and FRAND litigation, with Brian Nicholson QC instructed in Conversant v Huawei and ZTE, and Mark Vanhegan QC representing Philips in litigation against HTC, Acer, and Asus. In high-profile Supreme Court cases, Benet Brandreth QC represented Cartier International in Supreme Court in litigation against five internet service providers relating to website-blocking injunctions, while Kathryn Pickard was instructed by Mylan and Actavis against Warner Lambert in a leading case for the application of the concepts of sufficiency and infringement to a patent relating to a specified medical use of a known pharmaceutical compound; Michael Silverleaf QC was instructed by the NHS in this case. Also of note, Brian Nicholson QC, who has particular expertise in the technology sector, took silk in 2019.

8 New Square is ‘one of the strongest IP sets in terms of depth of talent’, with barristers that are ‘very strong on all aspects of IP law, from the most junior to QC level’. The set is particularly known for complex patent litigation; Adrian Speck QC and Isabel Jamal are instructed by Unwired Planet while Andrew Lykiardopoulos QC is representing Huawei in high-profile litigation relating to FRAND terms for a global standard essential patent license that is set to be appealed to the Supreme Court next year. In recent Supreme Court cases, Speck QC acted for Actavis, Mylan and Teva, alongside new silk Mark Chacksfield QC in patent litigation against Eli Lilly, while Lindsay Lane QC, who also took silk this year, and Jaani Riordan represented British Telecommunications plc and EE against Cartier International AG in a dispute relating the conditions of an order requiring internet service providers to block or attempt to block access to websites infringing registered trademarks.

Three New Square is a 'pre-eminent IP set' which 'stands out for its service levels' and includes 'go-to barristers for difficult patent cases' across all areas of technology; members are also well versed in trade mark and passing off litigation and copyright and design right matters, particularly in fashion, music, entertainment, and literature. In recent work highlights, Tom Mitcheson QC appeared in the Supreme Court in a high-profile dispute between Warner-Lambert against Actavis relating to Warner-Lambert’s painkiller, Lyrica. Meanwhile, in the Court of Appeal, Joe Delaney successfully represented Regeneron in a patent dispute against Kymab concerning the breeding and use by Kymab of genetically modified mice for the production of human antibodies. In trade mark litigation, Douglas Campbell QC was instructed by Frank Industries in an infringement claim brought against Nike.

With 'superb knowledge of all areas of IP', coupled with 'a considerable strength in depth', Hogarth Chambers is 'a truly specialist set' handling a full range of copyright, trade mark, patent, and design right disputes. The set attracts praise for its 'excellent, commercial and helpful service' that is 'cost effective'. In a recent work highlight, Michael Hicks and Amanda Michaels acted for opposing parties in a dispute between Brewdog plc and the owner of Elvis Presley trade marks relating to the entitlement of the multinational brewery and pub chain to register ELVIS and BREWDOG ELVIS JUICE as a trade mark.

One Essex Court is a 'high-quality, general commercial set with a serious IP specialism', where 'the combination of IP and commercial barristers seems to elevate both'. The set attracts praise for its 'good sector-specific knowledge' and 'strength in depth, with counsel of a range of levels of experience'. It has expertise across a range of soft and hard IP matters, and in a recent highlight Geoffrey Hobbs QC represented Abbvie Biotechnology in the Court of Appeal against Fujifilm Kyowa Kirin Biologics in litigation relating to the scope of declaratory relief available to biosimilar manufacturers; Hobbs QC also acted for Sky, alongside Philip Roberts QC, in its trade mark dispute against Skykick, including on the reference to the CJEU.

Blackstone Chambers attracts praise for its 'astounding breadth of expertise', 'strength in depth', and 'modern approach', and is known for its expertise in copyright, trade mark disputes, particularly in the media and entertainment sector. In a recent highlight Ian Mill QC and Tom Cleaver represented The Racing Partnership and others in a copyright and database rights infringement claim against several defendants, including Sports Information Services Limited, by which Michael Bloch QC was instructed. Bloch QC was also instructed by the easyGroup in several brand protection matters.