Firms To Watch: PATMA: Trade mark attorneys

Praised for its ‘extraordinary responsiveness’, Brabners LLP's IP practice includes dual-qualified director and trade mark attorney Hannah Fawcett, and senior associate, trade mark attorney and IP litigator Hayley Morgan. They operate from the firm’s Liverpool and Manchester offices, respectively.

PATMA: Trade mark attorneys in London

Barker Brettell LLP

Praised as ‘responsive, knowledgeable and always dependable’, Barker Brettell LLP has demonstrable experience acting before the UKIPO and the EUIPO, and remains one of the most active filers of trade marks. Led by Birmingham-based Catherine Wiseman, the team’s expertise spans the automotive, software, cosmetics, food and beverage, consumer goods and higher education sectors. The filing and prosecution of applications, global portfolio management, counterfeiting issues, as well as contentious matters such as opposition, cancellation and enforcement proceedings, make up the practice’s all-encompassing caseload. With an office in Sweden, the team is well-placed to provide an ‘excellent service’ to its roster of clients, including multinational corporations, start-ups, entrepreneurs, leading brands and technology companies, across Europe on post-Brexit matters. The practice also continues to maintain long-standing relationships with US law firms. In the firm’s Birmingham office, other key members of the team include Tracy Arch and Lucy Walker.

Practice head(s):

Catherine Wiseman

Other key lawyers:

Tracy Arch; Lucy Walker; Rosanne Farmer; Louis Pittortou; Ian Pearce; Lisa King; Rosalyn Newsome

Testimonials

‘The BB team know their stuff. They are responsive, knowledgeable and always dependable. I have worked with the BB team for over 20 years and they have consistently been my go-to firm in the UK and Europe.’

‘Lisa King and Rosalyn Newsome are both top notch attorneys. I really enjoy working with them and know that my matters will receive prompt attention.’

‘Barker Brettell offers excellent service and comprehensive recommendations. Its attorneys are very skilled and knowledgeable, and they are responsive. I entrust my clients’ matters to them because of these attributes.’

Key clients

ADM

AETN, UK

Amouage SAOC

Aston Manor

Automobile Club Di Brescia

bit.bio

British Racing Motors Limited

Carma Laboratories, Inc, – Carmex

CH&Co

Compass Group

CSME Technology

ENI S.P.A

Epson Europe B.V

Etihad Airways

Femme Luxe Fashion

Fender Musical Instruments Corporation

Fine Agrochemicals (De Sangossi)

Fiserv

Fosroc

Grenade (UK) Limited

IMI

International Flavours and Fragrances

Keller Group

Kingston Technology Corporation

Liberty Group

LVMH / Fresh. Inc

Marston’s Brewing Company (Carlsberg Marston) and Marston’s PLC

Modere

National Express

Panasonic Avionics

Pentair

Pizza Hut UK Limited

Schlumberger (UK & EU)

SEH International Limited

Severn Trent Water

Sheltered Wings dba Vortex

Spectrum Brands (Russell Hobbs and Remington)

Tempshield

The Binding Site Group Limited

The Boots Company Limited

University of Chicago

University of Notre Dame

Wolseley Group

Wolverhampton Wanderers FC

Work highlights

  • Approached by Amouage SAOC to devise a search and filing strategy that delivered clearance and enabled the client to utilise the International Madrid system to full effect.
  • Assisting The Boots Company Limited on various matters, such as conducting global clearance searches for new brands, and reviewing, and approving the Christmas Gift Catalogue.
  • Advising on and implementing enforcement work for LVMH, specifically the house and international luxury cosmetics business Fresh, Inc.

Boult Wade Tennant LLP

With offices in London, Frankfurt, Berlin and Madrid, as well as Cambridge and Reading, Boult Wade Tennant LLP’s ‘top-notch team’ is well-placed to assist clients in the protection, management and enforcement of UK and EU trade marks, domain name disputes, brand strategy matters and copyright issues. The team counts state-owned enterprises, financial service providers, medium-sized companies, start-ups, family-owned businesses and public entities, including hospitals and not-for-profit organisations, among its key roster of clients. Following the retirement of John Wallace in April 2022, Rachel Conroy leads the practice and other key members of the team include the ‘client-orientedEmma Pitcher, Tony Pluckrose, who is praised as ‘a walking encyclopaedia’ when it comes to trade mark prosecution work and opposition proceedings, Catherine Wolfe and Felicity Hide, who ‘has worked miracles’ before the UKIPO and EUIPO.

Practice head(s):

Rachel Conroy

Other key lawyers:

Emma Pitcher; Catherine Wolfe; Tony Pluckrose; Anusha Arunasalam; Felicity Hide; Michael Maier; Connor Thorogood

Testimonials

‘I find the whole team to be great, but I’d make particular mention of Emma Pitcher, who has an engaging style that is clearly underpinned by superb legal understanding. I’d also like to mention Connor Thorogood, who is a member of Emma’s team but is very much in her mould. He simplifies the complicated and is always accessible for considered response.’

‘Boult Wade has built a top notch team. Perhaps more importantly that bench is filled with great people. The folks at all levels at Boult are enjoyable to work with.’

‘Felicity Hide is strategic and thoughtful, as well as proactive with a global perspective. We have sent her some very important matters and she has worked miracles we didn’t think were possible. Her work quality is exceptional.’

‘They are at the top of the tree. Totally dependable but also super bright and practical. Real team workers. Thoughtful and strategic.’

‘Anusha Arunasalam is exceptionally bright and quick to respond. She’s also a fabulous person to interact with. She consistently provides great service and was a terrific addition to the partner ranks at Boult Wade.’

‘Catherine Wolfe is extremely bright, but also practical. Very well connected.’

‘Emma Pitcher is very client-oriented. She has tremendous drive and energy. Great knowledge and a very quick thinker.’

‘Tony Pluckrose is a walking encyclopaedia of trade mark law. Generous, with his immense knowledge.’

Key clients

Hotel Chocolat

John Guest International Limited

Gordon Rees Scully Mansukhani, LLP

Brentford FC Limited

Calvin Klein Cosmetic Corporation

Perani & Partners

Bauer Media

D Young & Co LLP

D Young & Co LLP covers a broad range of industry sectors, including the food and beverage, hospitality, electronics and entertainment industries, in addition to the consumer goods and fashion sectors, where the practice has seen a growth in enforcement proceedings in these arenas, on account of the increase in online counterfeiting. The team, which houses both attorneys and solicitors, continues to be regularly instructed before the UKIPO and has demonstrable experience at the EUIPO, as well as handling an ever-increasing number of opposition proceedings in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. The UK practice, which is jointly led by Southampton-based Jeremy Pennant and Tamsin Holman, who operates from the firm’s London office, frequently collaborates with the Munich office to provide a seamless service to its roster of clients, which has resulted in a growth of contentious registry work and litigation. Key clients include Johnson & Johnson, Cosmetic Warriors and Hard Rock International, to name a few.

Practice head(s):

Jeremy Pennant; Tamsin Holman

Other key lawyers:

Helen Cawley; Matthew Dick; Anna Reid; Gemma Kirkland; Richard Burton; Jackie Johnson

Key clients

AkzoNobel

Al Futtaim

Arm

Burger King

Ceuta Group

Cosmetic Warriors (Lush)

Crockett & Jones Shoes

Dabur India Ltd

Exxon Mobil Corporation

Facebook

Grays of Cambridge

Groupe Canal+

Hard Rock International

Hubbell

Instagram

Gaz & Jo Intellectual Property Holdings (Jo Loves Limited)

Johnson & Johnson

LG Corporation

Lumenisity

Marriott Hotels

Metro Bank

Naked Juice

Qualcomm

Skechers

SEGA and Sports Interactive

Sony Music Entertainment

SOP International Limited

Sunseeker International

The Dow Chemical Company

Tropic Skincare Ltd

UPS

Teva

Zoopla Property Group

Work highlights

  • Acting in High Court proceedings for Sega & Sports Interactive, defending a trade mark claim.
  • Acting successfully for Hard Rock Cafe in several disputes before the Company Names Tribunal and in trade mark opposition matters before the UKIPO.
  • Acting successfully for LG Chem Limited in a trade mark opposition matter before the UKIPO.

HGF Limited

With offices in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Austria, France and Ireland, HGF Limited’s sizeable trade mark practice assists well-known multinational companies with portfolio management, oppositions and litigation proceedings. The team is noted for its capability in the filing of UK and EU trade marks, and has demonstrable experience across the pharmaceuticals, automotive, food and beverage, media and entertainment, finance and retail sectors. In Leeds, David Potter heads up the trade marks team and advises clients in the entertainment and retail arenas on protection matters. Martyn Fish was promoted to CEO in July 2021, following the retirement of Paul Sanderson, and Jason Lumber is chairman of the firm. From the firm’s office in London, Geoff Smith advises fashion and retail sector clients on international trade mark protection strategies, and Jonathan Thurgood handles registration and enforcement matters. Other key members of the team include Birmingham-based Rebecca Field, and trade mark directors Claire Jones and Manchester-based Lauren Somers.

Practice head(s):

David Potter; Martyn Fish; Jason Lumber

Other key lawyers:

Geoff Smith; Jonathan Thurgood; Rebecca Field; Claire Jones; Lauren Somers; Lee Curtis; Stephanie Loeffler-Reading; Rigel Moss McGrath; Richard Wylie

Testimonials

‘Claire Jones is a pleasure to work with. She has good knowledge and understanding of the client, provides practical advice and is very responsive.’

‘All of the assistance I have received from HGF is prompt, to the point, and reasonable in cost. They also strike the right note with their advisory communications on matters such as Brexit’s impact on EU trade marks. The advice is clear, concise and practical.’

‘I work primarily with Lauren Somers, who is friendly and professional. Her approach is direct and efficient, which I appreciate. I always feel I am getting not just the right answer, but the best and most practical answer with Lauren.’

‘Jonathan Thurgood is always responsive and provides practical advice, taking into consideration the client’s business and concerns.’

‘An approachable and knowledgeable team, who take care to understand our business and the market in which we operate.’

Key clients

Emirates

Halfords Limited

Quintessential Brand

Tommy Hilfiger

Rotork Plc

AGA Rangemaster Group Limited

Whirlpool

Work highlights

  • Acting for Tommy Hilfiger in relation to UK trade mark matters, including prosecution, renewals and contentious matters.
  • Acting for AGA Rangemaster Group Limited on the enforcement of its brands, advising on designs and managing its brand portfolio.
  • Handling the full range of European brand defence for Emirates, including dealing with infringers and domain name squatters, trade mark oppositions, cancellation actions, infringement issues, trade mark applications and broad strategic advice.

J A Kemp

The ‘responsive and knowledgeable’ team at J A Kemp is frequently instructed by US and Japanese clients, primarily attorney firms, on trade mark protection mandates and maintains a strong presence in the UK, in addition to acting for a range of clients across Europe, including businesses in France, Spain and Scandinavia. Noted for its expertise in the pharmaceutical sector, the team has seen an increase in the filing of UK trade mark and design applications equivalent to an EUTM or RCD. The expanding team in Paris, combined with the expertise of the firm’s Munich office, further consolidates the practice’s cross-border capabilities and efficiency to service its diverse client roster, ranging from start-ups and spinouts to large corporations and notable academic institutions, on managing and developing global trade mark portfolios. James Fish leads the trade mark group, as well as the firm’s Paris-based trade mark practice, while Tom Albertini heads up the designs team.

Practice head(s):

James Fish; Tom Albertini

Other key lawyers:

Ben Mooneapillay; Charlotte Stirling; Aaron Newell

Testimonials

‘I have been impressed by the depth of knowledge across the team in terms of managing trade mark processes and advising on specifications and multi-jurisdictional issues.’

‘Charlotte Stirling has been fantastic to work with. She is very commercial, understands all the issues on a deep technical level and is always very pleasant and personable.’

‘JA Kemp is very responsive and knowledgeable.’

‘Aaron Newell is always looking out for his clients in the best possible way. He asks the right questions and thinks very much ahead. He is fast and has a great deal of knowledge.’

‘Direct and to the point. The team are knowledgeable regarding both UK and EU trade mark law.’

Key clients

adidas

Antonio Puig

Boardriders IP Holdings

Burts Snacks

Courtauld Institute of Art

Fiit

GW Pharma

Halewood Artisanal Spirits

Hunter Douglas Industries

Lola’s Cupcakes (International)

Mintel Group

MIPS AB

Nominet UK

Oxford Nanopore Technologies

Ricoh

Rotary International

Seiko Holdings Corporation

Sensyne Health Group

The Hershey Company

The Royal British Legion

WHAT3WORDS

Kilburn & Strode LLP

Kilburn & Strode LLP ‘take away the heavy lifting’ from its roster of clients, and the team is able to provide a seamless UK and European service from its twin bases in London and Amsterdam, as well as leveraging the expertise of the firm’s offices in Munich and San Francisco. Demonstrating its continued capability in filing EU trade mark applications, the firm’s European presence remains strong, and the Dutch team is expanding, particularly in the agricultural and horticultural sectors. Carrollanne Lindley, who ‘never pulls any punches and neither does she downplay issues’, leads the practice and focuses on strategically managing global trade mark portfolios, while Rowena Tolley is praised by one client as ‘incredibly prompt, responsive and commercially sensible’. Key areas of expertise include the electronics, pharmaceuticals, automotive, cosmetics and charity sectors.

Practice head(s):

Carrollanne Lindley

Other key lawyers:

Rowena Tolley; Iain Stewart; Ryan Pixton; Jeffrey Parker; Ben Scarfield

Testimonials

‘An excellent team with extensive experience. They provide timely and commercially focused advice on a range of matters, from specific prosecution issues through to pragmatic ways of dealing with contentious matters.’

‘Rowena Tolley is one of the best UK trade mark attorneys that we have worked with. She is incredibly prompt, responsive and commercially sensible. She communicates very effectively and efficiently, allowing us to dedicate minimal time to addressing the requirement at hand.’

‘Carrollanne Lindley is excellent, very commercial, hands-on and responsive. Ben Scarfield is also very responsive and knows his stuff.’

‘Ability to co-ordinate large and complex tasks. Excellent commercial knowledge and they take away the heavy lifting from me.’

‘Carrollanne Lindley is brilliant to work with. We have worked with her for over 20 years now. She never pulls any punches and neither does she downplay issues. She has advised on portfolio strategies, as well as prosecution and contentious matters. Her prosecution advice is always pragmatic and based on an extensive knowledge of case-law and practice.’

‘Rowena Tolley is highly responsive, practical, efficient, and a joy to work with.’

Key clients

Colgate-Palmolive

AT&T

NBC Universal

Costa Coffee (part of Coca-Cola)

BlackBerry

Bloomsbury Publishing

Porsche

Zoom Video Communications

Mastercard International Incorporated

Coinbase, Inc.

La Perla

Instagram

Vitabiotics

Mubadala

Samsung Electronics

Xor

Chiasma

Canadian Institute of Financial Planning

Paul Costelloe

Leonard Cheshire

Hay House

Geneva Laboratories Limited (Bio-Oil)

Lumen (formerly CenturyLink)

Immunocore

Gilead Sciences

Abbott

LSI Solutions

Precision Medicine

Scancell

Seagate

WarnerMedia

Sesame Workshop

Bad Robot

Entertainment Industry Association – Stand Up to Cancer

Millennium & Copthorne

Bahlsen

Perfetti van Melle

Block (formerly Square, Inc)

TeamViewer

USB Implementers Forum

Corza Health Inc

Blackbullion

The Modern House

Norton Motorcycles

easyJet

Hospital Corporation of America

Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation

Emerson Fittipaldi

Domestic and General

Cable & Wireless

Blo Blow Dry Bar, Inc

Candle-lite Company, LLC

Farmobile LLC

Groq, Inc.

Hero MotoCorp Limited

Ability Matters Group

Purity Wellness Group Ltd

Staffline Group (Staffline Recruitment/PeoplePlus)

The Spring League LLC

The Very Good Food Company Inc.

Work highlights

  • Managing Vitabiotics’ worldwide portfolio, spanning renewals and filings, together with strategic advice on household names including Feroglobin, Osteocare and Perfectil.
  • Assisting Mubadala Investment Company with its trade mark portfolio, providing reports and advising on how to strengthen its position, as well as regarding IP licensing within the group.
  • Advised Zoom Video Communications on multiple, interconnected opposition and revocation actions.

Mewburn Ellis LLP

Mewburn Ellis LLP has demonstrable experience in providing strategic brand management advice and is well-placed to leverage the capability of the firm’s Munich office to offer trade mark and design services at the EUIPO following Brexit. With UK offices in London, Bristol, Manchester and Cambridge, the team frequently collaborates with the firm’s solicitors when advising on commercial agreements, disputes and other related matters, such as domain names and copyright issues. The practice’s caseload includes opposition, cancellation and revocation proceedings, as well as domain disputes and infringement actions, and clients range from start-ups and investors to international brands, universities and research institutions. In London, key contacts in the team include practice leader Kate O’Rourke, Andy King and Jacqueline Pang, while Rebecca Anderson-Smith is based in Bristol and manages the trade mark portfolios of pharmaceutical companies.

Practice head(s):

Kate O’Rourke

Other key lawyers:

Andy King; Jacqueline Pang; Rebecca Anderson-Smith; Rebecca Campbell; Claire Evans

Testimonials

‘Attention to detail means Mewburn are always able to provide us with appropriate advice taking into account the wider picture.’

‘Rebecca Anderson-Smith’s organisation and team management really makes the team stand out.’

‘Rebecca Anderson-Smith has worked on our portfolio for quite some time – her timely reporting and attention to detail has always ensured that our portfolio is best protected.’

Key clients

The Estate of Whitney Houston (via Chiesa Shahinian & Giantomasi PC of New Jersey)

Dogs Trust

Foo Fighters (via Rimon PC of Miami)

Sandvik

MF Brands (Lacoste, GANT, The Kooples)

Intersnack/KP Snacks

Alliance Pharmaceuticals

In-N-Out Burgers

Axon (TASER)

Karsten (PING)

Greggs

Beauty Bay

Hallmark Cards/Crayola

Pattishall, McAuliffe, Newbury, Hilliard & Geraldson LLP

Stryker

Morrison & Foerster LLP (San Francisco)

Modiano (Moncler, Juventus)

Youngs Brewery

Fross Zelnick Lehrman & Zissu PC (New York)

Potter Clarkson LLP

Potter Clarkson LLP provides a cross-disciplinary service to clients across the life sciences, food and beverage, agri-tech, consumer goods and engineering sectors, ranging from start-ups and SMEs, to international corporates and investors. The firm continues to consolidate its presence in the Nordics, with expanding offices in Denmark and Sweden. Following Brexit, the team has seen an increase in certain mandates in its workload, from handling UK clones and customs enforcement actions to strategic management and the development of trade mark portfolios. With opposition proceedings taking up a large proportion of its caseload, the team also continues to grow its online brand protection services. Following the retirement of Janella Barr in February 2022, Nottingham-based Sanjay Kapur solely leads the practice, while Emmy Hunt and Sarah Talland, who operate from the firm’s London office, remain key members of the team.

Practice head(s):

Sanjay Kapur

Other key lawyers:

Emmy Hunt; Sarah Talland; Cameron Malone-Brown; Lucy Mills

Key clients

Triumph Designs Limited

Jemie B.V.

Davide Campari-Milano

CNH Industrial America LLC

The Economist Newspaper Limited

Oregon Brewing Company

Liechtenstein Gruppe AG

LGC Limited

Stobbs IP

Bespoke firmStobbs IP houses a ‘mix of solicitors and trade mark attorneys of varying seniority’, facilitating the practice’s capability in managing soft IP matters, ranging from disputes, litigation and investigations to commercial contracts, designs and copyright issues, online brand enforcement and anti-counterfeiting. Acting for leading brands in the fashion, technology, publishing, food and beverage, social media and sport sectors, the team has demonstrable experience in contentious trade mark proceedings before the UKIPO and the EUIPO, as well as hearings before the Appointed Person. With offices in London, Cambridge and Munich keeping the practice busy with the filing of UK and EU trade mark applications, the firm opened an office in Dublin in June 2022. In Cambridge, well-known founder Julius Stobbs leads the team, while the ‘pragmaticChris Sleep heads up the solicitor practice and Geoff Steward spearheads the litigation group.

Practice head(s):

Julius Stobbs; Chris Sleep; Geoff Steward

Other key lawyers:

Claire Breheny; Emma Pettipher; Louise Goodsell; Chris Hawkes; Harpreet Dhaliwal; Richard Ferguson

Testimonials

‘A good mix of solicitors and trade mark attorneys of varying seniority, with a dedicated client team. We like the fact that Stobbs aren’t a traditional law firm and that they operate differently in every sense. They are very commercial but still good with the legal fundamentals.’

‘Chris Sleep is amenable, pragmatic and passionate.’

‘They partnered up with EIP so to diversify their IP offering, with EIP focusing on patent work and Stobbs IP focusing on trade mark work. To me, this is quite a clever collaboration which enables them to offer clients the right service where it’s needed.’

Key clients

7-Eleven

AG Barr (Irn Bru)

ASOS

Automobil Lamborghini SPA

Balfour Beatty

Barclays

Beiersdorf (Nivea etc.)

Brown Forman (Jack Daniels etc)

Cambridge University

Canada Goose

Cancer Research UK

Capri Sun GmbH

Channel 4

Chiaro Technology

Citco Converse

Corelle brands LLC

DKNY

Energizer Holdings Inc.

England and Wales Cricket Board

Eton College

Faber & Faber

Facebook

Federal Mogul

Ford Motor Co

Ford Models

Garrard & Company

General Mill

Glencore

GoPro

Grandmaster Flash

Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH)

GVC Services Ltd

Harley Davidson USA Inc.

Iglo Foods (i.e., Birdseye, Findus, etc.)

Informa Plc

Instagram

John Varvatos

Just Eat

Orla Kiely

Liverpool Football Club

McDonalds

MacMillan Publishers

Marks and Spencer

Marshall Amplification

Mars Wrigley

Meter Bergman

Moonbug Entertainment

Monster Inc.

Mothercare

Nike

O2

Oculus

Olive and Orange Ltd

Paramount Pictures

Pepsi Co

Premier Foods

Purple Bricks

Quintessentially Group

Raspberry Pi Foundation

Ritz London

Siemens AG

Skip the Dishes Restaurant

Slater and Gordon (UK)

Snap Inc. (Snapchat)

SSAT (The Schools Network)

Stanley Black and Decker Inc.

Ted Baker

Tommy Hilfiger Europe BV

Tottenham Hotspur FC

Treasury Wine Estates

Tumblr

UEFA

Upfield

Unit 4 NV

Verizon Media (including Yahoo/Oath)

WhatsApp

Wilmington PLC

Xaar

Air Partner

Berry Bros

Big Potato Ltd

Big Wave Brands

Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development

Conde Nast

Dr. Martens

Dryrobe

Duke University

Fine and Country

Immersive Labs

Interface Inc

Jagex

MBG International

Milton Lloyd Ltd

Neuehouse & Fotografiska

Ovo

Popsockets

Tik Tok

Trek Bicycles

Visa

Wickes

AA Thornton

Counting SMEs, individual inventors, UK-based companies and academic institutions among its key roster of clients, AA Thornton’s ‘committed and reliable team’ houses both attorneys and solicitors, who advise on the development and management of trade mark portfolios. The practice’s caseload also includes opposition proceedings before the UKIPO, as well as matters relating to ownership and licensing issues, and the registration of domain names. Praised as ‘calm, considerate, and extremely knowledgeable’, Ian Gill leads the team, which includes Sarah Darby, who ‘offers pragmatic advice’ when handling global trade mark portfolios, and ‘superb’ senior associate Louise Foster. The practice has demonstrable experience across the food and beverage, fashion, pharmaceutical, life sciences, gaming and retail sectors; key clients include Virgin, Associated British Foods and Primark, to name a few.

Practice head(s):

Ian Gill

Other key lawyers:

Rachel Havard; Sarah Darby; Suzanne Power; Louise Foster; Sarah Neil

Testimonials

‘The practice is professional and friendly. My trade mark case was complex, and it was reassuring to have a clear overview of my options and next steps. I had great confidence in the team.’

‘Ian Gill is calm, considerate, and extremely knowledgeable. I enjoyed working with him and receiving his expert advice, at a time of significant strain and uncertainty, it was great to have his support.’

‘We have worked with AA Thornton for a long time and we like the interest shown in understanding the nature of our business and feel reassured they have our best interests covered.’

‘Sarah Darby is very responsive, helpful and offers pragmatic advice.’

‘Committed and reliable team, who provide helpful advice.’

‘Ian Gill, who leads the team, has an incisive mind and is a fine communicator. Louise Foster is also superb.’

‘Excellent and consistent service for over 20 years to our association on an array of trade mark and IP issues.’

‘I would recommend Sarah Neil for her attention to detail, timeliness and willingness to manage things on our behalf.’

Key clients

ZPG (Zoopla Property Group)

Virgin Enterprises Ltd

Merck

Jimmy Choo

Associated British Foods

Admiral Group

Calor Gas

Equip Outdoor Technologies

R. Twinings and Company Limited

Jordans, Dorset, Ryvita Company Limited

Primark

Work highlights

  • Assisted Virgin Media in putting together a complaint under the Uniform Dispute Resolution Policy against a cybersquatter who registered the domain name virginmediao2.com, following the merger of Virgin Media and O2.
  • Supported Merck KGaA with a naming project for a new pharmaceutical product in the UK by conducting searches for candidate marks.
  • Developed the strategy for the protection of the Hyperloop brand worldwide, as well as the implementation of a managed global trade mark filing project.

Appleyard Lees

Specialist IP firm Appleyard Lees assists multinational companies and household names, such as Moncler and Puma, as well as academic institutions, with strategic trade mark portfolio management, anti-counterfeiting matters, branding issues and litigation, often involving a cross-border element. With offices in Leeds, Halifax, Cambridge and Manchester, the team houses both attorneys and solicitors, in addition to dual-qualified practitioners, and has demonstrable experience in opposition proceedings at the UKIPO and the EUIPO. In Manchester, managing partner David Clark jointly leads the practice alongside Leeds-based Robert Cumming, while dual-qualified solicitor and attorney Chris Hoole, who operates from the firm’s office in Cambridge and is praised as ‘reliable and responsive’, was promoted to partner in April 2021. The team’s expertise spans the fashion, consumer goods, education and entertainment sectors.

Practice head(s):

David Clark; Robert Cumming

Other key lawyers:

Chris Hoole; David Moy; Bill Lister

Testimonials

‘Chris Hoole is very reliable and responsive.’

Key clients

Moncler

Puma

Fit Kitchen Ltd.

British Steel

Jemella (GHD)/Coty

Walmart Inc./Asda

ThinCats

Work highlights

  • Representing Moncler in anti-counterfeiting matters.
  • Representing Smile Direct Club in disputes regarding domain names.

Beck Greener LLP

Beck Greener LLP has a strong track record in contentious trade mark matters, often involving an international element, and has demonstrable experience in opposition and cancellation proceedings before the UKIPO. The team acts for multinational companies across the media, entertainment, cosmetics and fashions sectors, as well as start-ups and SMEs, and counts anti-counterfeiting matters and design enforcement issues in its workload. ‘Rock starIan Bartlett leads the team and has experience before the UKIPO and Appointed Persons, while the team’s UK and EU filing and prosecution practice remains active with an office in Alicante, headed up by Rowland Buehrlen. Other key members of the team include Catherine Jewell, and associate trade mark attorneys Duncan Morgan, who is praised by one client as ‘simply tremendous’, and Kashif Syed.

Practice head(s):

Ian Bartlett

Other key lawyers:

Rowland Buehrlen; Catherine Jewell; Duncan Morgan; Kashif Syed

Testimonials

‘The Beck Greener LLP team has been a critical resource for our foreign trade mark activities. They are extremely responsive, able to quickly recommend solutions that fit our unique situation and efficiently deliver excellent results.’

‘Ian Bartlett and Kashif Syed are both excellent. I feel like they really care about the matters, and they are prompt, responsive, and flexible in the wake of challenges.’

‘They simply know all there is to know when it comes to trade marks.’

‘Ian Bartlett has been a rock star for us. He has been immediately responsive with frank and extremely competent counsel and outstanding results. I cannot recommend his services enough.’

‘The team has been a trusted partner for many years in relation to our trade mark portfolio. They are able to provide us with tailored advice that appreciates the unique challenges our organisation faces. We trust them to provide us with quick and robust reports.’

‘Duncan Morgan is simply tremendous. He knows his subject inside and out, and has the ability (and willingness) to explain matters in simple terms to our non-legal colleagues. Nothing is ever too much trouble. We are happy to leave all our trade mark requirements in his very capable hands.’

‘Ian Bartlett and Kashif Syed are creative, knowledgeable, flexible, and easy to get along with. They are always on the ball and their results are excellent.’

‘Duncan Morgan is always available and has extensive knowledge of trade mark law and practice. He regularly takes calls from us on short notice, and is able to utilise his extensive knowledge and understanding of our business to provide us with expert advice within the short deadlines we give him.’

Key clients

Pharrell Williams

The Condé Nast Publications

The Estée Lauder Companies

PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC)

The British Phonographic Industry (BPI)

Chevron Products Company

CrossFit

Tiffany and Company

Tapestry (Coach and Kate Spade)

Lewis Hamilton

Ed Sheeran

Eminem (Marshall Bruce Mathers 111)

Tillotts Pharma

Knight Frank

Four Seasons Hotels

Kyndryl

Peloton

TED Talks

Masco

Cards Against Humanity

Incos/Debonair – SO…?

LifeAID Beverages LLC

Work highlights

  • Acting for The Official UK Charts Company (OCC) against Global Radio and its attempt to prevent OCC obtaining registered protection for OCC’s key OFFICIAL CHARTS trade mark.
  • Advised Ed Sheeran and his company, Sidewind Limited, on filing and prosecuting trade mark applications worldwide, both for the musician and his record label, Gingerbread Man Records.
  • Acted for MPL Communications on clearing, filing, prosecution and enforcement of UK and global trade marks, and recently filed and prosecuted new trade mark applications for various terms associated with Sir Paul McCartney’s children’s books, as well as for his band, Wings.

Bird & Bird LLP

Bird & Bird LLP’s team of attorneys and solicitors operate as a ‘buttoned-up, finely-oiled machine’, and remain active in the filing of UK and EU trade marks, as well as acting in opposition proceedings before the UKIPO. In the summer of 2022, the firm opened a new office in Dublin, which will host the EU operations of the practice’s client roster, including innovative enterprises, in addition to companies in the technology and life sciences sectors. Praised as ‘excellent in providing complex strategic advice in relation to trade mark portfolios’, dual qualified solicitor and trade mark attorney Mark Holah jointly leads the team alongside Allan Poulter, who has particular expertise in brand management matters. The practice, which is well-placed to leverage the firm’s international footprint to manage global trade mark portfolios and multi-jurisdictional disputes, has demonstrable experience in the retail, consumer goods, sports and gaming sectors.

Practice head(s):

Mark Holah; Allan Poulter

Other key lawyers:

Christine Danos; Emma Green;

Testimonials

‘The team are a very buttoned-up, finely-oiled machine that covers our needs globally. The work is generally first rate and the fees are reasonable.’

‘Ciara Hughes might as well be a member of my team, such is her understanding of us as a client, our needs, and the often times highly compressed timelines to which we are working.’

‘You are dealing with a firm which has a truly integrated global approach and understanding of trade marks. The quality of the service the London office has provided has been exceptional.’

‘The team works very closely with the client and ensures that they fully understand its client’s needs and objectives. They are very friendly and work like an extension of our in-house legal team. The team is very knowledgeable and have access to a large international network, so that they are able to advise on IP matters in any jurisdictions we might be interested in. This is very helpful as they are effectively a “one-stop shop” for IP matters.’

‘Mark Holah effectively manages the client relationship with us. He is very responsive and efficient in ensuring that our needs are met. In addition, he is excellent in providing complex strategic advice in relation to trade mark portfolios.’

‘Our principle contact is Emma Green, who is terrific. Very responsible and responsive. She has a good understanding of our business and gives very nuanced, practical and commercial advice.’

Key clients

Allianz

Belmond

Daily Mail Group

Epic Games

Fabergé

Fiorucci

DAZN

Kingfisher Group (B&Q, Screwfix)

Marv Films (Kingsman Franchise)

Monster Energy Company

Philip Morris International (PMI)

Qatar Airways Group

Simba Sleep

Sunday Riley

YouGov

Work highlights

  • Assisting Allwyn with its brand arrangements as part of its bid to replace Camelot as the operators of the UK National Lottery.
  • Managing the trade mark portfolio of Epic Games in Europe, as well as countries in the Middle East and Asia.
  • Supporting Sunday Riley in relation to trade mark matters outside of the US, such as conducting an international trade mark filing programme.

Bristows LLP

Bristows LLP’s fully integrated team of attorneys and solicitors handles the full range of trade mark mandates, from brand creation with clearance searches to brand protection and global portfolio management, as well as opposition proceedings before the UKIPO and cancellation actions. The team, which is well-placed to leverage the firm’s international footprint when acting in multi-jurisdictional disputes, welcomed Nellie Jackson from Birketts LLP in July 2021, who has experience in brand protection and enforcement matters, in addition to trade mark portfolio management. Ian Gruselle, who has experience representing clients before the UKIPO and the EUIPO, leads the trade mark practice, while Simon Clark heads up the brands, design and copyright group. The team has demonstrable capability across a range of sectors, including the publishing, food and beverage, health, hospitality, fashion and retail industries.

Practice head(s):

Ian Gruselle; Simon Clark

Other key lawyers:

Nellie Jackson; Jeremy Blum; Jennifer Noel; Stephanie Taylor; Abigail Wise; Paul Jordan

Testimonials

‘Excellent knowledge of trade mark law and how that applies to practical commercial situations.’

‘Lead partner Jeremy Blum is an astute and very practical partner, who understood the commercial landscape and gave useful advice.’

Key clients

Mondelez International (including Cadbury, Kraft, Oreo, Kenco, Carte Noire, Milka and Halls).

Glasses Direct

Diageo

Edgewell (Wilkinson Sword)

Dior

The Guardian News and Media

WPP Group

The Financial Times Ltd

BAFTA

PolarSeal

Lebara Ltd

Work highlights

  • Managing the Guardian Media Group worldwide trade mark portfolio since 2017.
  • Coordinating and managing the worldwide (except US) trade mark portfolio of the WPP group.
  • Managing the worldwide trade mark portfolio of the Financial Times.

Carpmaels & Ransford LLP

Carpmaels & Ransford LLP is noted for its capability in opposition and appeal proceedings before the UKIPO and EUIPO, as well as handling trade mark mandates ranging from clearance searches and registration to licensing and transactional matters. The prosecution and opposition practice frequently collaborates with the firm’s dedicated litigation group to weather the increasing number of instructions on contentious trade mark matters and disputes. Roger Lush leads the practice and Jonathan Day, who is dual-qualified as a trade mark attorney and solicitor, has experience in brand protection, enforcement and management issues, in addition to opposition cases and EU brand clearance. The team has demonstrable expertise across the media and entertainment, pharmaceuticals, consumer goods, technology, fashion and retail sectors. Senior associate and trade mark attorney Lara Elder is another key member of the team.

Practice head(s):

Roger Lush

Other key lawyers:

Jonathan Day; Lara Elder

Key clients

Align Technology, Inc.

Bear Grylls Ventures LLP

Manzanita Capital

Allergan (Botox)

Hugo Boss

Deere & Company

Blue Prism AI

Western Digital

Biogen Idec.

Byredo

Diptyque

Space NK

Invisalign

XEROS

Marvel

Lucasfilm

National Geographic

20th Century

Penguin Random House

DN Management Ltd

Motorsport UK

Rajinder Sharma, Recup Ltd

Umarex GmbH

Celgene/Bristol-Myers Squibb

4D Pharma

Aphria

Compass Pathways

Takeda/ Shire Pharmaceuticals

De Beers

Space NK

Eve Lom

Diptyque

Malin + Goetz

Kevyn Aucoin

Susanne Kaufmann

Iris Nation

McArthurGlen

Belron

Polaroid

McIlhenny Company

Western Digital

Total

GAM Limited

RektGlobal, Inc

Cara Therapeutics

Kalvista

Pacific World Corporation

Work highlights

  • Assisting Allergan in relation to a worldwide trade mark and unfair competition dispute with litigation in several countries.
  • Assisting Bear Grylls Ventures with the expansion and defence of the Bear Grylls brand, including general counselling, portfolio management and prosecution of brand extension related filings pursuant to commercial partnerships and licence agreements.
  • Assisting Align in several disputes with third parties in Europe, who have adopted ALIGN or INVIS derivative marks for orthodontic products and services.

Cleveland Scott York

Cleveland Scott York’s trade mark practice takes a ‘proactive and diligent approach’ in opposition and invalidity proceedings before the UKIPO and the EUIPO, and has demonstrable experience in High Court and IPEC litigation. The team’s client roster spans the financial services, pharmaceutical, consumer goods, transport and fashion sectors, with key clients including Citigroup, Rolls-Royce plc and The National Trust, to name a few. Lorna Hobbs, who is praised for her ‘huge experience at the UKIPO’ and handles trade mark portfolio management of leading brands and filing programmes, jointly leads the team alongside Jonathan Clegg. The team houses practitioners who are dual-qualified as solicitors, including Claire Birro, who ‘finds creative solutions to knotty issues‘. Areas of growth for the practice include assisting US-based clients with UK and EU trade mark matters through their US attorneys.

Practice head(s):

Jonathan Clegg; Lorna Hobbs

Other key lawyers:

Claire Birro; Peter Houlihan; Joanna Larkey; Andrew Clemson

Testimonials

‘Lorna Hobbs has huge experience at the UKIPO, runs many dispute proceedings and works very hard for her clients, with a personal touch.’

‘We have been using Cleveland Scott York to manage our global IP portfolio for over 15 years. We have consistently found their proactive and diligent approach to be very helpful, and the team as a whole are always on top of any issues that arise.’

‘Claire Birro has been managing our portfolio for the past 5 years or so. She is diligent, always on top of the issues that arise and coordinates all overseas attorneys for us too. She finds creative solutions to knotty issues, and has excellent communication.’

‘CSY offers timely, practical advice at a reasonable price, taking a holistic view and not just focusing on trade mark applications.’

‘Peter Houlihan is ‘spooky’ in that he knows exactly what we want and automatically follows through with solutions.’

‘All of the team are highly competent, commercial and knowledgeable.’

‘We work closely with Joanna Larkey, who has supported our business for a number of years. Joanna has provided us with key support on a range of matters, and in each case we have been able to obtain a positive outcome for the business. Joanna is a great asset to us and Cleveland Scott York.’

‘Cleveland Scott York know our business well. They use the knowledge of our business to help steer the legal support so that it adds value.’

Key clients

GlaxoSmithKline

Target Brands

Rolls-Royce PLC

Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings

Saputo Dairy UK/Dairy Crest

Dorling Kindersley Limited

Citigroup Inc.

The National Trust

Oxygenetix Institute Inc.

Noble Foods Limited

Numatic International

United Biscuits

Drest Limited

Transport for London

Iris Software Limited

Hyperion Insurance Group

Legatum Limited

GM Cruise Holdings LLC

Utilita Energy

Reed MIDEM

Work highlights

  • Handling a range of UK and EU portfolio work and contentious matters for Scientific Games Corporation and associated companies in the gaming sector.
  • Representing Oxygenetix Institute Inc. in multi-jurisdictional oppositions and invalidation proceedings.
  • Acting for AXIS Specialty Europe in UK and EU trade mark oppositions.

CMS

CMS’ ‘stellar’ team advises its enviable client roster on a broad range of soft IP matters, including clearance and prosecution issues, strategic development and management of global trade mark portfolios, as well as domestic and cross-border litigation. The team, which represents leading brands across the technology, media, telecoms, sport, retail, fashion, financial services, pharmaceutical and life sciences sectors, has notable experience in contentious proceedings before the UKIPO and remains active in UK trade mark filings following Brexit. Head of the firm’s intellectual property team Sarah Wright, and co-head of the international intellectual property group Tom Scourfield, jointly lead the practice and split their time between the London and Warsaw offices. Sheffield-based trade mark attorney and litigator Eleanor Merrett, who was promoted to partner in May 2021, focuses on brand protection and enforcement matters. Key clients include Sky, ITV (The Voice) and Legal & General, to name a few.

Practice head(s):

Sarah Wright; Tom Scourfield

Other key lawyers:

Eleanor Merrett; Kelly Saliger; Anna Brackenbury; Louise Gellman; Joel Vertes; David Parrish; Melanie Worsdall

Testimonials

‘A great team with depth of knowledge and a very friendly and proactive approach.’

‘Kelly Saliger has been an invaluable adviser to the development and protection of our trade mark and IP portfolio. She is knowledgeable, experienced and very well versed in the intellectual property sector and has a strong legal background in this sector.’

‘The CMS team has been stellar in providing the required services in relation to IP and trade mark portfolio management, registrations and IP-related legal advice. They are very responsive and always on top of the tasks and the various milestones that may come up.’

Key clients

Sky

Microsoft

Nestlé

Sainsbury’s

eBay, Inc.

ITV plc

Deliveroo

Samsonite

Legal & General

Dune

Revlon

UEFA

Booking.com

Breast Cancer Now

Oracle Corporation

Dentsu International

Hackett

Hammerson

J. Crew

JTI

Kettle Foods / Snyder’s Lance

Oura Health

Pepe Jeans

Qatar Airways

Shark Ninja

The Crown Estate

Anthony Nolan

Banham

Work highlights

  • Successful in obtaining an additional global brand protection mandate to oversee the international portfolio owned by ITV Studios Netherlands, including protecting the format, THE VOICE.
  • Acting for Legal & General in respect of parallel actions before UKIPO and IPEC, in respect of a third party Got You Covered Limited, who was using a very similar umbrella logo to the L&G iconic umbrella brand.
  • Assisted Sky with worldwide clearance, devising new filing programmes and advising on pre-emptive risk mitigation steps to deal with third party rights, in relation to its new smart television, SKY GLASS.

Dehns

Dehns' sizeable team is one of the largest in the UK and Europe, with offices across the UK, as well as Munich and Oslo. Elaine Deyes, who is a ‘safe pair of hands’ when it comes to the filing and prosecution of international applications, in addition to enforcement matters, succeeded Roberto Calamita, who retired in February 2022, as head of the trade mark practice. The team has a strong track record in opposition and appeal proceedings before the UKIPO and EUIPO, and has boosted its capability in litigation with the arrival of practice head Paul Harris from Venner Shipley LLP in June 2021. Strategic portfolio management, as well as anti-counterfeiting matters and issues pertaining to trade mark squatters from China, Latin America and the Middle East, take up a proportion of the team’s workload. In January 2022, Elizabeth Jones was promoted to senior partner and Adrian Samuels became managing partner.

Practice head(s):

Elaine Deyes; Elizabeth Jones; Adrian Samuels; Paul Harris

Other key lawyers:

Clare Mann; Joseph Letang

Testimonials

‘Dehns have real expertise and knowledge in relation to the protection and enforcement of intellectual property rights. Prompt, effective advice with available options and cost implications is always provided. They are proactive in managing our trade mark portfolio.’

‘Joseph Letang is my main contact and I am always impressed.’

‘We have worked with Elaine Deyes for a number of years now, and she always provides thorough, well-considered and pragmatic advice and solutions. Easy to work with, excellent subject-matter and procedural knowledge, she is an effective communicator and with a strong supporting team. A very safe pair of hands.’

Key clients

Pret a Manger

Honda Motor Europe

Man Group PLC

Hamptons International

Avon Cosmetics

Playboy

Apple Corps

Jane Shilton

Emporia Brands Limited

Nuffield Health

Ace Café London

AEG (Live)

Allen & Overy

Apple Corps

ArcticZymes

Avon Cosmetics

BioProduct Laboratory

Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club

Brighton Spirits Company Ltd

CarGurus, Inc.

Combe Inc

Countrywide plc

Emporia Brands Limited

Equinor

Global Brands Group

Hastings Insurance Service Ltd

Hamptons International

Honda Motor Europe

ITSU

J Rothschild

Jane Shilton

Janus Henderson Investors

Jenny Packham (London) Limited

Kilimanjaro Live

Mary Quant

Medtronic, Inc.

NFU Mutual

Nuffield Health

Opus Long Life Lamp Company

Otis Elevator Company

Playboy

Portakabin

Really Scary Books

RC Pet Products Limited

Sikorsky

Solar Century Holdings

TLG Brands

Tullettt Prebon / TP ICAP

Work highlights

  • Assisted Strix Limited against a third party registration of its trade mark, resulting in the cancellation of the proprietor’s registration and the registration being struck from the German Trade Marks Register.
  • Handled the recordal exercise for Janus Henderson Investor’s subsidiary company, involving co-operation and liaison between trade mark attorneys in 31 countries.
  • Represented Benedict Johnson (Winesapp) in the High Court, following the appeal of a trade mark opposition case at the UKIPO.

Gill Jennings & Every LLP

Gill Jennings & Every LLP provides ‘thorough and diligent advice’ to its roster of clients, including multinational companies and UK-based corporates, as well as SMEs, start-ups and universities, on the filing of UK and EU trade mark applications and registrations, with offices in both London and Munich. Practice leader Alasdair MacQuarrie acts for pharmaceutical, entertainment, toys and games, and fashion sector clients on contentious mandates, including enforcement and anti-counterfeiting issues, and opposition and cancellation proceedings before the UKIPO and the EUIPO. Edward Carstairs, whose capability to ‘advise on different trade mark strategies is remarkable’, has experience in the food, drink and hospitality sectors. The team also counts freedom to operate issues, enforcement of rights against third party use, due diligence matters and strategic portfolio development and management in its caseload. Key clients include World Wrestling Entertainment, Under Armour and Pfizer, among others.

Practice head(s):

Alasdair MacQuarrie

Other key lawyers:

Edward Carstairs; Luca Colombo

Testimonials

‘Gill Jennings & Every (GJE) provides an outstanding trade mark service. They always provide thorough and diligent advice.’

‘Edward Carstairs is very helpful and quick to respond. He knows the trade mark filing landscape extremely well and his expertise on complex and detailed, large-scale brand launch projects has been invaluable.’

‘Very responsive, clear and direct.’

‘Luca Colombo is a fantastic trade mark attorney. He assesses all matters from every angle, providing very thorough advice. He is very assertive and diligent.’

‘Solid and respectable trade mark practice. Trustworthy and straightforward to deal with.’

‘Edward Carstairs is an exceptional trade mark attorney. His knowledge in the area, and his capacity to develop and advise on different trade mark strategies is remarkable. Edward always provides very thorough, diligent, complete and clear advice on every matter.’

‘Pragmatic and solution focused.’

‘All individuals at the firm are highly knowledgeable. Edward Carstairs, in particular, provides the highest standard of service. His knowledge has been crucial to us securing our objectives.’

Key clients

Hasbro

Under Armour

World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc., WWE

Pfizer Group

Clean Co

PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds (PUBG)

Inivos Ltd

Thras.io, Inc

Arla Foods (Lurpak, Cravendale, Lactofree etc)

British Land

Work highlights

  • Advised Under Armour in relation to opposition proceedings at the UKIPO in a third party application for a similar logo.
  • Advising Thrasio in relation to the protection of its brands at the UKIPO, EUIPO and German trade mark office, including defending its trade marks against third party challenges.
  • Representing World Wrestling Entertainment across all areas of UK and EU trade mark work.

Haseltine Lake Kempner LLP

The ‘commercially minded’ team at Haseltine Lake Kempner LLP remains one of the most active UK and EU trade mark filers and has a strong record in opposition and appeal proceedings before the UKIPO, while also offering a strong litigation practice. The team advises on brand protection issues and strategically manages the global trade mark portfolios of notable, direct clients, such as Kurt Geiger, Molton Brown and Jet2.com, to name a few. Based in London and Leeds, Jason Dainty, who is praised for his ‘excellent judgement’, jointly heads up the team alongside Martin Krause, who divides his time between the firm’s offices in London and Bristol. Dual-qualified trade mark attorney and solicitor, Martin Delafaille left in November 2021 to join Sonder IP, while Chris Morris and the ‘attentiveAmanda Mallon remain key contacts in the team. Key areas of expertise include the retail, technology, food, engineering, life sciences and chemistry sectors.

Practice head(s):

Martin Krause; Jason Dainty

Other key lawyers:

Chris Morris; Amanda Mallon; Richard Kempner; Brian Whitehead; Michael Conway; Sanjeet Plaha

Testimonials

‘Richard Kempner is an outstanding technical lawyer and great with clients.’

‘Very attentive, quick turnaround, cost effective and understand our business.’

‘Amanda Mallon is very attentive and excellent with clients.’

Key clients

Nomad Foods Europe (Birds Eye and Findus)

Tesco Stores Limited

Airbus

Molton Brown

Wren Kitchens

Mamas & Papas

Giorgio Armani

Kurt Geiger

Farrow & Ball

Callaway Golf

Jet2.com

Pathway IP Sarl

Ascential

Gianni Versace S.r.l.

The Restaurant Group

Zebra Technologies

Kellogg

Supplier of Candles Limited

Royal Mint

Pandrol

Kellogg’s

China Tang London Limited

Work highlights

  • Defended Tesco against trade mark infringement from Lidl, concerning the sign used in relation to its “Clubcard Prices” scheme.
  • Defended Supplies for Candles Limited in a trade mark infringement dispute against Gentil Sayre Limited.

Keltie

Counting trade mark filing and prosecution matters, portfolio management and due diligence in its workload, Keltie houses a thriving online brand protection practice, covering domain name registration and renewal matters, as well as customs enforcement proceedings. With offices in London, Cambridge, the Cotswolds, Galway and Dublin, the team is well-placed to acts for clients at the UKIPO and the EUIPO. Rosemary Cardas leads the practice alongside Alistair Gay, who has experience in enforcement issues and managing international trade mark portfolios, and Manuela Macchi, whose practice has expanded to include domain name and online brand enforcement matters. The team has demonstrable experience in the life sciences and emerging technologies arenas and has seen an increase in mandates arising out of the sport, fashion and automotive sectors.

Practice head(s):

Rosemary Cardas; Manuela Macchi; Alistair Gay

Other key lawyers:

Azhar Sadique; Ben Britter

Key clients

Group Lotus

Ryder Cup Europe

Stryker Corporation

PGA European Tour

Hillhouse Capital

HOFA Gallery

Rick Owens

Jane’s Group

Copart, Inc

110 Industries

UKFT

Afterparty Inc

The Global Fund

Mattel, Inc.

Work highlights

  • Managing the trade mark and registered design portfolios for Group Lotus, including new product launches, having migrated the work from previous representatives.
  • Acting for Swarovski in matters relating to trade mark enforcement.
  • Advised Hillhouse Capital on the due diligence for the sale of Philips’ household appliances arm, involving verifying approximately 13,000 IP rights in over 50 jurisdictions.

Marks & Clerk

With several offices across the UK and internationally, Marks & Clerk’s sizeable team focuses on five key sectors: beauty and health, food and drink, entertainment, and fashion and retail, as well as technology, which crosses over from the firm’s patent team. On account of its international capability, the team remains one of the most active UK and EU trade mark filers and is well-placed to strategically manage global portfolios. Counting multinational companies and research institutions among its key roster of clients, opposition and appeal proceedings at the EUIPO continue to make up a large proportion of the practice’s caseload. From the firm’s office in Oxford, chairman Daniel Talbot-Ponsonby leads the team alongside Simon Mounteney and Tom Farrand, both of whom operate from the London office, while Oxford-based Samantha Collins and London-based Michael Barrett were promoted to partner in August 2021.

Practice head(s):

Daniel Talbot-Ponsonby; Simon Mounteney; Tom Farrand

Other key lawyers:

Esther Gottschalk; Samantha Collins; Michael Barrett; Jason Chester; Claire Keating; Amy Dunn; Noëlle Pearson

Testimonials

‘The team are incredibly efficient and knowledgeable. They must have invested in digital innovation as they are always on the front foot and proactive with their advice. They have assisted us not just with UK-based enquiries but also demonstrated they are very capable in offering advice covering the rest of the world too. Marks & Clerk make everything easy and seamless.’

‘We work with Jason Chester. He is very responsive and his comments are always very clear and helpful. It is very important for us that we have someone we can always rely on.’

‘Having worked with Marks & Clerk for over eight years, I would say the team have a fantastic understanding of companies’ trade mark needs and are expert at navigating the various challenges that come with having and applying for trade marks.’

‘Claire Keating makes the difficult easy. She explains in a way that a business person, rather than legal expert, would understand. This means decision making and risk assessment becomes straightforward.’

‘Working with Jason Chester has been a pleasure, he always makes time and ensures we are provided with the best advice on our trade marks and potential pit falls associated with these.’

Key clients

Pukka Pies

Bridgestone

Next

Crew Clothing

QCare Site Services, Inc

Grafton International Ltd

Kee Safety Limited

First Longevity Ltd

Hill & Smith Holdings PLC

Luceco UK Limited

Panda Life

The Scottish Football Association

Anheuser-Busch InBev

Albert Bartlett

Tomatin Distillery

The Scotch Whisky Association

Renegade Spirits

Harris Tweed

Saniflo

S.Joon

St Pierre Groupe

Pal International

Ideagen Plc

Lothian Buses

Jägermeister

Work highlights

  • Filed various oppositions in Europe and the US on Panda Life’s behalf.
  • Protected THE PEOPLE’S PIE as a trade mark for Pukka Pies to support activity under that name and advised on IP implications in advance of strategic business decisions and planning.
  • Successfully overturning a decision on appeal at the EUIPO, which initially cancelled Saniflo’s EU trade mark registration for the SANI trade mark on non-use grounds.

Mathys & Squire LLP

With offices across the UK, and in Munich, Luxembourg and Paris, Mathys & Squire LLP offers ‘highly targeted advice’ on the full range of trade mark protection and prosecution matters, from filings and renewals of UK and EU trade mark applications to opposition proceedings and invalidation actions. Noted for its cross-border capability, the team of attorneys is well-placed to leverage the expertise of the firm’s litigation practice to handle trade mark disputes in the High Court and the IPEC. ‘Deeply experienced and highly knowledgeable’ practice co-leader Margaret Arnott operates from the firm’s office in London and heads up the firm’s litigation practice. Based in Manchester, practice co-leader Gary Johnston handles anti-counterfeiting matters and has experience in contentious proceedings and appeals. The team’s client roster includes international corporations, as well as start-ups and SMEs, across the automotive, food and beverage, energy, cosmetics and technology sectors.

Practice head(s):

Margaret Arnott; Gary Johnston

Other key lawyers:

Harry Rowe; Rebecca Tew

Testimonials

‘The Mathys Squire team has been able to effectively guide us on all of our queries.’

‘Margaret Arnott is clearly a deeply experienced and highly knowledgeable trade mark attorney.’

‘Mathys Squire stands out above all other firms.’

‘Highly targeted advice and in-depth knowledge of how trade marks work. Holistic advice on manoeuvring through other companies’ rebuttals.’

Key clients

British Gas/Centrica

Kenwood Limited (De’Longhi)

Harley-Davidson

Public Health England (now UK Health Security Agency)

Wacoal

Rigby & Peller

Ferrari

The Tate Gallery

Edward de Bono Limited

Unison

House of Lords

House of Commons

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales

The British Tourist Authority

Maucher Jenkins

Anglo-German firm Maucher Jenkins has demonstrable experience in filing and prosecuting trade mark applications for clients across the food and beverage, pharmaceutical, medical devices, and media and entertainment sectors, as well as handling matters pertaining to domain names, copyrights and cybersquatting issues. The team frequently collaborates with the firm’s German offices to advise on contentious mandates, often involving an international element, and maintains a strong relationship with the offices in Switzerland and China. Dual-qualified trade mark attorney and High Court litigator Katie Cameron handles opposition proceedings before the EUIPO, while Angela Fox is qualified as a solicitor, Higher Courts litigator and advocate, trade mark attorney and New York attorney at law, bringing experience in domain name disputes and trade mark infringement matters. Cameron and Fox lead the practice alongside the ‘amazingTanya Buckley, who is noted for her expertise in the pharmaceutical, medical devices and biotech sectors.

Practice head(s):

Katie Cameron; Angela Fox; Tanya Buckley

Testimonials

‘They are a proactive team and their responsiveness is something to point out.’

‘Tanya Buckley is an amazing trade mark attorney. She provides a detailed analysis of every single matter that makes the decision process much easier.’

‘The team we work with is very well attuned to each other, with excellent legal knowledge, giving you the right feeling that your files are in good hands.’

‘Tanya Buckley is very approachable and adequate in her responses and  is very effective in how she handles and manages our files.’

Key clients

IAG (British Airways)

MTV

Mucha Foundation

Paramount Pictures

Viacom Media Networks

Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.

Murgitroyd

Murgitroyd recently strategically acquired Ireland-based European attorney firm Hanna Moore + Curley in September 2021, shortly followed by the acquisition of well-established IP firm UDL Intellectual Property in October 2021, and Glasgow-based specialist firm Creation IP in April 2022. The heavyweight practice manages global trade mark portfolios for a broad range of clients, from SMEs to multinational corporations, and covers the full spectrum of prosecution work in the UK, EU and internationally. The team, which is led by Belfast-based managing director Joanne Lecky, is well-placed to handle multi-jurisdictional contentious and non-contentious matters, with offices across the UK, as well as Europe and the US.

Practice head(s):

Joanne Lecky

Other key lawyers:

Alan Fiddes; Gareth Price; Steve Waine; Sharon Kirby

Testimonials

‘Gareth Price is excellent and knows our business inside out.’

‘Good commercial outlook on IP matters.’

‘Sharon Kirby has been excellent at managing complex IP portfolios.’

Key clients

Benchmark Holdings

Black Sheep Brewery

Candy Hoover Group

CVS Group

END.

Geely

GlenDimplex

Gymshark

Guangdong Oppo Group

GUESS

Hermès International S.A.

Hitachi

Inchcape

Inspired Entertainment

Intertek Group

ISS A/S

JD Sports

La-Z-Boy

Larkfleet Group

Lidl

LV=

Maybourne Hotels Group (Claridge’s, The Berkeley, The Connaught)

nPower

Revolution Beauty

Roberts Radio

Trafigura

Reddie & Grose LLP

Praised for its ‘impressive international reach’, Reddie & Grose LLP has demonstrable capability in the strategic development and management of trade mark portfolios for clients across the technology and financial sectors. With additional experience in the automotive, entertainment, electronics and telecoms industries, the team remains active in the filing of UK and EU trade mark applications, and counts opposition proceedings and enforcement matters in its caseload. Helen Wakerley, who acts for clients in the automotive sector, jointly leads the trade mark team alongside Patrick Lloyd, while chairman Alice Findlay, who has ‘oodles of experience, excellent knowledge and good commercial sense’, and Jan Vleck also oversee the practice. Other key members of the team include Tom Sharman, who focuses on assisting UK-based clients in developing and managing their trade mark portfolios.

Practice head(s):

Alice Findlay; Jan Vleck; Patrick Lloyd; Helen Wakerley

Other key lawyers:

Tom Sharman; Dale Carter; Daniel Sullivan; Filippa Evans

Testimonials

‘Alice Findlay has oodles of experience, excellent knowledge and good commercial sense. Filippa Evans is a great associate.’

‘Pleasant to deal with and impressive international reach.’

‘Tom Sharman is very user-friendly and knows his stuff. He tailors his advice to us.’

‘The expertise and patience of all them was and is admirable, given that our needs are so specific.’

Key clients

SITA

Kimberly-Clark

Vision Direct Group Limited

Schroders

Work highlights

  • Advising Airhead Design Limited in expanding its IP portfolio, securing a valuation by an independent valuer, securing additional investment, assisting it in preparation for the launch of new products.
  • Advised Volta Trucks in relation to prosecution and opposition, and advising on litigation matters and portfolio management.

Venner Shipley LLP

Praised for providing ‘down-to-earth and pragmatic advice’, Venner Shipley LLP manages the UK, EU and global trade mark portfolios FTSE 100 companies and international corporations, as well as SMEs and start-ups. Since the firm’s merger with Brookes IP, the practice’s direct client roster continues to grow and the team is well-placed to leverage the expertise of the firm’s office in Munich on post-Brexit matters. Registry opposition and appeal proceedings, as well as domestic and cross-border litigation, take up a large proportion of the practice’s caseload. In Tunbridge Wells, Clare Turnbull leads the practice and the ‘exemplaryJane Martin has experience in international searching and filing programmes, while London-based David Birchall is qualified as both a UK and Irish solicitor and a UK and European chartered trade mark attorney. Also in London, other key members of the team include chartered UK trade mark attorneys Yoann Rousseau, Gloria Parmesan and Camilla Sexton.

Practice head(s):

Clare Turnbull

Other key lawyers:

Jane Martin; David Birchall; Yoann Rousseau; Gloria Parmesan; Camilla Sexton

Testimonials

‘The Venner Shipley trade mark team works hard to protect our trade marks and we can rely on them to provide us with commercially sound advice.’ 

‘Clare Turnbull is my primary contact. She is very approachable and personable and has a great way with clients. She is highly responsive and is able to help clients understand what they need to be thinking about when it comes to trade marks and brand protection.’ 

‘Camilla Sexton and Gloria Parmesan are highly skilled and experienced trade mark attorneys. Highly responsive and reliable with practical solutions.’ 

‘In our experience, the team gives down-to-earth and pragmatic advice when advising clients on their portfolios and help clients prioritise what is important, so they obtain the right scope of protection.’ 

‘I work closely with David Birchall on our trade mark portfolio, and he provides an excellent level of support. Nothing is too much trouble, and the advice and input we receive represents good value for money.’ 

‘I have worked with Jane Martin for over 12 years and I have found her to be both wise and commercial. Jane has been an excellent guide and her advice has been exemplary. I trust her implicitly.’ 

‘Camilla Sexton is outstanding in terms of knowledge, advice and approach to my trade mark enquiries and registrations.’ 

‘Yoann Rousseau has built a strong relationship with our team over a number of years. He always makes himself available, keeps us up to date on matters and, most importantly, provides practical, sensible advice that we can deploy quickly within our business.’ 

Key clients

Alexander Mann Associates Ltd

Aviva Plc

Clinigen

First Grade International Limited

FxPro Financial Services Limited

London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine

MTL Financial Limited

Other Creative Ltd

Pharmanovia – Atnahs

Phoebe Philo

PPLUS Skincare Limited

Quite Interesting Limited

Roarr Norfolk Dinosaur Park

Saferpet Ltd

TalkTalk

The Automobile Association (The AA)

The Project Band Limited

The Sakata Group of Companies

Work highlights

  • Advised Other in relation to a High Court claim against an agency named Mother for trade mark infringement and passing off.
  • Advised London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and implemented an international search and ongoing trade mark registration programme to protect the School’s recently launched Sustainable Climate Impact Fund project in the UK and abroad.
  • Advised Quite Interesting Limited (QI) on searching, filing and opposition services. QI is the producer of the famous QI television quiz show, and of the spin off QI ELVES podcasts and TV entertainment.

Wilson Gunn

The well-established, regional practice at Wilson Gunn offers ‘an effective and holistic trade mark portfolio management service’ to high-profile clients in the sports sector, including English premier league football clubs such as Everton FC and Leicester City FC, as well as the healthcare and retail industries. Counting international brands, start-ups and small to medium-sized enterprises among its key roster of clients, the team remains ‘at the top of its game’ when it comes filing UK trade marks, and has demonstrable capability in handling contentious matters. In Manchester, Michael Douglas leads the practice, which includes Birmingham-based Tim Rose, who is praised as ‘an expert in his field’ when it comes to opposition and appeal proceedings at the EUIPO, while senior partner Mark Goodwin retired in May 2022. With a strong presence in the North of England, the team is also able to leverage the expertise of its offices in London and Dublin.

Practice head(s):

Michael Douglas

Other key lawyers:

Tim Rose; Marc Lewis; David Slattery

Testimonials

‘Tim Rose is approachable and has helped us on a number of occasions with trade mark oppositions and disputes, as well as registrations and renewals. He is an expert in his field.’

‘Wilson Gunn offer an effective and holistic trade mark portfolio management service.’

‘Marc Lewis offers practical and commercially orientated advice, which is delivered in a clear and succinct manner.’

Key clients

Boohoo Group

Comic Relief

CurrentBody

GO Outdoors

Jacobson Group

Mölnlycke Health Care

Mondelēz International

Morrisons

Natural History Museum

The Football Association

Work highlights

  • Advised Boohoo Group on all aspects of its trade mark portfolio, including assisting in the acquisition of new brands including Debenhams, Wallis, Dorothy Perkins and Burton.
  • Acted for Mondelēz in relation to its entire UK trade mark portfolio.
  • Assisted The Football Association in the management of its global trade mark portfolio, including the England Three Lions badge and The FA Cup logo.

Baker McKenzie

Baker McKenzie has an enviable client roster of leading brands across the consumer goods, retail and pharmaceutical sectors, and is well-placed to leverage the firm’s international footprint to manage substantial trade mark portfolios. The team remains active in UK trade mark and design filings, and counts domain name disputes, anti-counterfeiting campaigns and other enforcement mandates in its workload. Trade mark disputes and brand clearance matter entrusted to Jessica Le Gros ‘are in the best hands’, and Rachel Wilkinson-Duffy has experience in opposition and infringement proceedings, and cancellation actions. Le Gros and Wilkinson-Duffy lead the practice alongside of counsel and IP litigator Julia Dickenson.

Practice head(s):

Jessica Le Gros; Julia Dickenson; Rachel Wilkinson-Duffy

Other key lawyers:

Vlotina Liakatou; Nadine Archer

Testimonials

‘The team is fantastic. Super legal acumen and they keep the price competitive.’

‘Jessica Le Gros is incredibly prompt and gives solutions based on business needs of the client. Matters entrusted to her are in the best hands.’

‘They are always nearby, quick in their response and feel like an extended part of your in-house legal team. With their international (partner) firms, you can get advice from every single country in the world.’

Key clients

Cochlear

CSL/Seqirus

DeepMind

Dropbox

Eli Lilly

General Motors

Google

GSK

HSBC

JCB

Jumeirah

L’Oréal

Novartis

Novo Nordisk

Pinterest

Planet Hollywood

SAP

Unilever

Warner Bros

Work highlights

  • Assisting L’Oréal on matters ranging from trade mark litigation, through to brand and portfolio advisory and management work.
  • Providing brand advisory and brand protection services to Unilever.

Elkington + Fife LLP

Long-standing domestic and international clients continue to entrust Elkington + Fife LLP with the development and management of their UK and EU trade mark portfolios. Significant client wins include Fulham FC and the team has seen an increase in UK opposition and filing matters from commercial firms. The ‘venerableChris McLeod, who operates from the firm’s London office and ‘can be relied on to provide direct, no-frills advice’, leads the practice and Sevenoaks-based Mark Scott focuses on design matters for key clients, including Corning and Xylem. In the London office, Allister McManus ‘is an associate on the rise’.

Practice head(s):

Chris McLeod

Other key lawyers:

Mark Scott; Allister McManus; Carol Nyahasha

Testimonials

‘The team is very experienced and has great strength in depth. They are accessible and responsive, as well as being team players and generally great to work with. All advice is concise, clear and to the point.’

‘The team is led by the venerable Chris McLeod, who can be relied on to provide direct, no-frills advice, backed up by technical and strategic skills. All of this is delivered with a wit drier than a Tim Vine one liner.’

‘Allister McManus is an associate on the rise. Unfailingly good humoured, he gives careful and considered advice and has a great bedside manner.’

‘A very solid TM and Patent Attorney practice, led by very experienced professionals. They really know what they are doing, and try to give commercial, sensible advice which goes beyond “box ticking” to get their clients good service.’

‘Chris McLeod has vast experience and knowledge, and can be trusted to keep a cool head.’

Key clients

Formula One Management Limited

Fulham Stadium Limited

Fulham Football Club

Independent Vetcare Limited/Evidensia

Corning Incorporated

Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. (Philips Intellectual Property & Standards)

Signify Holding B.V.

Fujifilm Speciality Ink Systems Limited

BASF SE

Evonik Industries AG

Acer Incorporated

Malvern Panalytical B.V.

OSA Fine Spirits

Decon Laboratories Limited

Citation Limited

Decon Laboratories Limited

The Juice Master Limited

Blank Rome LLP

Slaughter and May

Collyer Bristow

Corsearch

Knijff Trademark Attorneys

Memery Crystal LLP/RGB Legal Services Limited

La Vit Technology LLC

Nishimura & Asahi

Borenius Attorneys Ltd

Intelink Law Group PC

Work highlights

  • Acting as sole UK advisers to Formula One Management Limited, in relation to protection of the F1, Formula 1, Grand Prix and associated trade marks, maintaining the client’s entire UK portfolio and regularly file oppositions to third-party UK trade mark applications for conflicting trade marks.
  • Assisting Independent Vetcare Limited/Evidensia in growing its portfolio of trade mark applications and registrations, successfully opposing third-party trade mark applications for conflicting trade marks, and assisting with litigation.
  • Filed numerous trade mark applications for Fulham Stadium Limited/Fulham Football Club, as well as overcoming UKIPO objections, and assisted the client in promptly resolving a dispute with SKY and a potential dispute with Orange Telecom.

Fieldfisher

Praised for its ‘incredible knowledge of soft IP matters’, Fieldfisher has an active contentious registry practice and is well-placed to leverage the expertise of the firm’s ‘experienced litigators’ to represent clients in high-profile disputes. The team, which has demonstrable experience in developing and managing global trade mark portfolios, is noted for its expertise in the technology, life sciences, media and retail sectors. Leighton Cassidy jointly leads the practice alongside John Linneker, and dual-qualified solicitor and trade mark attorney Hastings Guise handles multi-jurisdictional clearance and trade mark protection projects. With the firm’s international footprint, the team acts for multinational brand owners and well-known domestic companies, as well as SMEs and start-ups.

Practice head(s):

Leighton Cassidy; John Linneker

Other key lawyers:

Hastings Guise; Harriet Seymour; Amy Reynolds; Chris Benson; Claire Keepax

Testimonials

‘They have an incredible knowledge of soft IP and are experienced litigators.’

‘The firm’s lawyers are across the board good at analysing a problem from all sides.’

‘Nick Rose is always available and leads the whole team. He has very strong interpersonal skills and treats everyone in the team with respect.’

Key clients

SkyKick Inc.

Sazerac

Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc.

Caffè Nero

Currys (formerly Dixons Carphone)

Samsung

Smart LLC

Dell EMC

Switch Mobility

Boparan Private Office

Ernst & Young LLP (EY)

Publicis Groupe

Arts Council England

Forbes

Edward Green

Sullair LLC

Seated Technologies, Inc.

Randox Laboratories Limited

Work highlights

  • Acting for SkyKick in defending trade mark infringement proceedings brought by Sky Plc in relation to use of the word SKYKICK.
  • Acted for Sazerac against a competitor, Halewood International, in UK proceedings for trade mark infringement, which went to the Court of Appeal in the summer of 2021, which upheld the High Court’s finding of trade mark infringement in favour of the client.
  • Acting for Google in a wide range of UK trade mark matters, including trade mark prosecution and enforcement.

Mishcon de Reya LLP

Mishcon de Reya LLP provides a ‘seamless end-to-end service’ to clients across the fashion, retail, media and entertainment, automotive and pharmaceutical sectors and covers the full spectrum of trade mark prosecution matters, from searches and filing programmes to registry proceedings, as well as developing international portfolios. The team is noted for its expertise in enforcement mandates and is well-placed to leverage the firm’s global footprint to act for US, Chinese, Indian, Japanese and EU firms seeking advice on trade mark matters. Under the ‘fantastic direction’ of Sally Britton, the practice includes litigator David Rose, who is praised as ‘excellent in guiding clients through registrations to contentious litigation’.

Practice head(s):

Sally Britton

Other key lawyers:

David Rose; Jeremy Hertzog; Peter Nunn; Sarah Brooks; Eloise Harding

Testimonials

‘A very capable team. It is good to have the filing and opposition teams working closely alongside the litigators for a seamless end-to-end service.’

‘Under the fantastic direction of Sally Britton, all members of the team are a pleasure to engage with and all deliver high quality work.’

‘We always know that we will receive excellent advice and service from Mishcon. Communications are timely, succinct, and comprehensive. They help us achieve practical solutions that get us to our goals.’

‘Eloise Harding is very dedicated, clever and insightful.’

‘David Rose always has the interests of his clients at heart. He is excellent in guiding clients through registrations to contentious litigation.’

Key clients

Global

Sky

Iceland Foods

Nintendo

Dua Lipa

Wombles

Health & Happiness

SPP Pumps

CBS Corporation

Sanofi

NBC Universal

Bet365

Alexander McQueen

Covent Garden

MGA Entertainment

Foxtons

WeWork

VetSure

Fendi

Modicare

Pure Milk Vodka

Apollo Automobile

Hg Capital

Lion Capital

Apax

CapGen

Graphite Capital

Work highlights

  • Acting for Sky in a trade mark dispute with SkyKick in relation to trade mark specifications.
  • Representing Iceland Foods in invalidity proceedings before the EUIPO Grand Board of Appeal.
  • Advising Global on a range of brand protection and enforcement issues in several jurisdictions.

Osborne Clarke LLP

Osborne Clarke LLP has demonstrable experience in managing international trade mark portfolios for clients across the technology, retail and life sciences and healthcare sectors, in addition to advising on trade mark issues faced by clients when entering emerging markets, including China and the Middle East. The team, which is led by experienced litigator Arty Rajendra, also counts trade mark prosecution and enforcement proceedings in its caseload. Richard May advises on trade mark protection matters arising out of the technology, gaming, retail and life sciences sectors, and trade mark attorney Roshani Muniweera joined from Allen & Overy LLP a month before director Mark Foreman retired in December 2021. Other key members of the team include litigator Robert Guthrie, senior trade mark attorney Leanne Gulliver and trade mark attorney Daniel Ramos.

Practice head(s):

Arty Rajendra

Other key lawyers:

Robert Guthrie; Richard May; Daniel Ramos; Leanne Gulliver; Roshani Muniweera

Testimonials

‘Osborne Clarke represents our clients in trade mark prosecution and IP enforcement matters. They are very competent and experienced in both areas and we have been very satisfied with their services.’

‘Richard May is experienced and his pro-active advice is highly valuable. Cooperation with him is easy. He also replies very quickly and keeps us up to date on the progress of cases.’

‘They are able to provide practical suggestions on the emerging issues. This is a valuable guideline for the clients in the technology industry.’

‘The attorneys are responsive and reliable.’

Key clients

A Nelson (Rescue Remedy)

Toni & Guy

Infobip

Mattel

Medivet

Peanut App

Anschutz Entertainment Group

JPMorganChase

Yahoo

Meta (Facebook)

TikTok

Global Student Accommodation/Yugo Students (UK) Limited

Together Labs

Peacocks and Edinburgh Woolen Mill (now in administration and brands sold)

The & Partnership

Hopkins Homes

Automattic

Signal AI

World First

Kantar Group

Shell

Nokia

Reckitt Benckiser

Harley-Davidson

Bamboo Limited

Autodoc

Bristol Water

Howdens

Miniclip

Spartan Race

PA Consulting

Wood plc

Fred Perry (Holdings) Limited

The Groucho Club

Hays plc

Work highlights

  • Representing Medivet before the CJEU General Court in relation to its EU trade mark application, which has been refused by the EUIPO for being non-distinctive.
  • Managing the worldwide brand portfolio of Fred Perry, including the laurel wreath design.
  • Managing several trade mark portfolios for JPMorganChase, including Wepay and Nutmeg, as well as advising on protection and enforcement issues.

Bates Wells

Counting some of the UK’s largest non-profit organisations among its key roster of clients, Bates Wells is ‘highly capable in supporting the registration and protection of a charity’s trade marks’. The team, which is led by Mathew Healey, also acts for commercial clients and has demonstrable experience in handling clearance, enforcement, portfolio management and licensing matters, as well as contentious proceedings before the UKIPO and IPEC. Recently promoted partner Catharina Waller is praised for her ‘depth of insight, pragmatic approach and all-round wisdom’.

Practice head(s):

Mathew Healey

Other key lawyers:

Catharina Waller; Wendy Grey

Testimonials

‘I have found the team to be highly capable in supporting the registration and protection of a charity’s trade marks.’

‘Mathew Healey and Wendy Grey are two stand-outs in the Bates Wells team. They are challenging, responsive, knowledgeable, flexible and are vital business advisers for our organisation in terms of our UK and international trade mark strategy.’  

‘The team is very reliable and easy to reach. The advice is always on point.’ 

‘Catharina Waller has outstanding knowledge and is very client oriented. She understands our needs perfectly.’ 

‘The trade mark team are vey knowledgeable, but also pragmatic, offering the best solutions including recognising when alternatives to trade marks might be more suitable. The Bates Wells trade mark team are very responsive and accessible, always on hand if immediate advice is required.’ 

‘I’ve enjoyed Mathew Healy’s approachable nature and willingness to give context when answering my queries.’ 

‘Bates Wells has a deep understanding of the needs of charity clients.’ 

‘I would recommend Catharina Waller for her depth of insight, pragmatic approach and all-round wisdom.’ 

Key clients

The Woodland Trust

International Planned Parenthood Federation

CDP (formerly ‘Carbon Disclosure Project’)

Biorelevant.com Ltd

Reloop

Braintree

Braincare

The Copper Mark

The Trussell Trust

Barnardo’s

The Alan Turing Institute

Freud Communications

38 Degrees

The Royal Foundation of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge

Cruelty Free International

Fair FX

Voluntary Service Overseas

Trinity College London

International Paralympic Committee

WaterAid International

Royal Commonwealth Society for the Blind (‘Sightsavers’)

Battersea Dogs’ and Cats’ Home

Girl Effect

Guide Association

Institute of Masters of Wine

The National Gallery

Football Foundation

National Schizophrenia Fellowship (‘Rethink Mental Illness’)

The Market Research Society

London & Partners Limited

National Deaf Children’s society

FM Conway

Emilia Clarke

Vodafone Foundation

Grand Lodge of Master Mark Masons

WRAP

Keep Britain Tidy

Help Refugees (Choose Love)

Work highlights

  • Advised on and implemented a strategic trade mark filing programme across the world for Choose Love (Help Refugees).
  • Advised The Royal Foundation of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge on a range of trade mark matters, including around the high-profile launch of the Earthshot Prize.
  • Advised Freud Communications on trade mark and copyright considerations, as well as NFTs.

Dentons

Dentons’ ‘cohesive’ team focuses on the strategic management of trade mark portfolios for international brands and UK-based companies across the technology, food and beverage, energy, consumer products and retail sectors. The team is well-placed to leverage the firm’s global footprint to advise on multi-jurisdictional mandates, ranging from licensing agreements and opposition and cancellation proceedings before the UKIPO to enforcement matters and high-profile trade mark disputes. ‘Stand-out’ solicitor Anna Copeman leads the practice and senior trade mark attorney Anna Brown advises on all aspects of trade mark and design prosecution work.

Practice head(s):

Anna Copeman

Other key lawyers:

Anna Brown; James Marsden

Testimonials

‘Anna Copeman is a stand-out partner. Exceptional engagement and client service.’ 

‘The team is technically competent and they are able to balance commercial practicalities with legally complex approaches.’ 

‘Anna Brown is a senior trade mark attorney with excellent knowledge of the law and first-rate client handling skills.’ 

‘Anna Copeman is excellent and very good at managing a team, whilst dealing with clients.’ 

‘Their global market knowledge makes their ability to support my company very strong.’ 

‘Anna Copeman and James Marsden have advised us in several actions and concluded our cases successfully, because of their appreciation and understanding of our values and way of working.’ 

‘Really excellent team. Strong technical knowledge, cohesive, engaged and a delight to work with.’ 

Key clients

American Eagle

Argex

Edinburgh Woollen Mill

ArQit

Lottoland Holdings Ltd

M&S

Seraphim Spacecamp / AWS Spacecamp

Supreme Committee for Qatar (World Cup 2022)

Virgin

Work highlights

  • Advising Cavour Limited, European Lotto and Betting Limited and Lottoland Holdings Ltd in relation to numerous IP matters.
  • Advising ArQit on the clearance and protection of its new brands, used to further differentiate and identify its technologies in the UK.
  • Appointed to FIFA’s new panel of legal advisers to assist in the organisation of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar and providing specialist branding advice.

Lewis Silkin

Housing a team of trade mark attorneys and litigators, Lewis Silkin manages international trade mark portfolios and handles a broad range of prosecution matters, while also representing clients in cross-border trade mark disputes. The team’s client roster, which includes start-ups and SMEs, UK and Ireland-based companies, as well as overseas investors, has expanded since its merger with specialist IP firm Forde Campbell in Belfast. Following the departure of Dominic Farnsworth to Locke Lord LLP in January 2022, Tom Gaunt leads the team and Nick Bowie, who handles online enforcement mandates and domain name disputes, was promoted to partner in April 2022.

Practice head(s):

Tom Gaunt

Other key lawyers:

Nick Bowie; Helene Whelbourn; Sinéad Mahon; Graham Ablett; Giles Crown; Simon Chapman

Key clients

ASOS

Airwair International Limited (Dr. Martens)

Markus Lupfer/ Marlu Design Ltd

Harvey Nichols & Co Ltd

Danone

Skyscanner

Trustpilot

Britvic

Cosmetic Warriors (IP holding company for LUSH)

Equity

Bacardi

Saga

Work highlights

  • Advising Britvic on a range of IP matters, including managing its global trade mark and design portfolio, assisting with new product development, brand clearances, online monitoring, IP infringements and licensing.
  • Assisting Skyscanner with managing its global trade mark portfolio, trade mark and copyright disputes, and with managing its online brand enforcement globally.
  • Assisting Harvey Nichols with managing its global trade mark portfolio, domain and design disputes for franchising and commercial licensing issues.

Novagraaf

Novagraaf ‘goes above and beyond’ for its roster of clients, including leading brands across the food and beverage, fashion and retail sectors, and continues to maintain its reputation as one of the largest trade mark portfolio management practices in the UK. The team, which is part of the Questel group, is well-placed to leverage the expertise of the firm’s offices across Europe and in China, Japan and the US on cross-border prosecution and enforcement matters. In Manchester, ‘brilliant’ managing director Vanessa Harrow leads the practice with the support of London-based Laura Morrish, while Luke Portnow, who joined from Boult Wade Tennant LLP in May 2021, ‘is a great new addition to the team’ in London.

Practice head(s):

Vanessa Harrow

Other key lawyers:

Laura Morrish; Luke Portnow

Testimonials

‘The Novagraaf team provide exceptional, technical advice. They are extremely friendly and personable, and feel like an extension of the in-house team as opposed to external counsel. The team provide fantastic value-for-money assistance and goes above and beyond in their provision of services.’

‘Vanessa Harrow is a brilliant attorney. Her advice is pragmatic, commercial, easy to understand and of great value to the business. She goes out of her way to provide timely and valuable assistance. She is exceptionally thorough and always looking for additional ways to aid the business.’ 

‘Novagraaf have a great understanding of the legal landscape surrounding intellectual property, as well as the resources and reach to assist their clients in a variety of regions and circumstances.’

Key clients

Stock Spirits Group

Manchester Airports Group

Conex Banninger

Work highlights

  • Advised Stock Spirits Group on trade mark registration strategy and enforcement to ensure global protection of its brands, particularly in eastern European countries and Italy.
  • Managed Manchester Airports Group’s worldwide trade mark and domain name portfolio.
  • Advising on a new global filing project in more than ten countries for a range of new marks for Conex Banninger.

Swindell & Pearson Ltd

Swindell & Pearson Ltd has demonstrable experience in the development and management of trade mark portfolios for regional, national and international clients across the retail, fashion, wellbeing, healthcare and manufacturing sectors, among others. The team, which is noted for its capability in litigation, continues to see an increase in UK trade mark filings and opposition proceedings before the UKIPO. In the firm’s Derby office, senior director Nick Womsley, who has considerable experience in the preparation, acquisition and enforcement of trade marks, leads the practice and Kieron Taylor is another key member of the team.

Practice head(s):

Nick Womsley

Other key lawyers:

Kieron Taylor

Work highlights

  • Advising Slimming World in relation to its global trade mark portfolio management and global brand strategy, as well as two ongoing trade mark appeals before the General Court in Luxembourg.
  • Advising Benetton Holdings Limited on its trade mark portfolio and handling oppositions proceedings.
  • Advising Top Online Partners Group Limited on its trade mark portfolio and in disputes.

Withers & Rogers

With offices across the UK, and in Paris and Munich, Withers & Rogers remains one of the most active filers of UK and EU trade marks and, on account of the in-house experience of its team members, the team is well-placed to manage the portfolios of multinational corporations and UK-based companies. With demonstrable experience across the fashion, retail, jewellery, food and beverage, cosmetics and consumer electronics sectors, the team’s caseload includes clearance searches, as well as opposition proceedings and cancellation actions. In the firm’s Bristol office, chair Fiona McBride leads the team, which includes key contacts Marisa Broughton, and London-based Tania Clark and Mark Caddle.

Practice head(s):

Fiona McBride

Other key lawyers:

Marisa Broughton; Tania Clark; Mark Caddle