Addleshaw Goddard offers a full service in intellectual property encompassing contentious and non-contentious matters such as brand enforcement, disputes, portfolio management, and the transfer of IP rights in major corporate transactions. Sector strengths include retail, financial services, and the public sector. Practice head Paul Bentham specialises in transactional IP and portfolio management for a number of household name clients, while James Whittaker advises on acquisition, exploitation, and protection of IP rights within the retail and consumer sectors. Director Rebecca Moore advises on non-contentious intellectual property matters including advertising campaigns.
Intellectual property in North West
Addleshaw Goddard
Practice head(s):
Paul Bentham
Other key lawyers:
James Whittaker; Rebecca Moore
Key clients
The Co-operative Group Limited
PZ Cussons plc
Moneysupermarket
Harrods
Samworth Brothers Group
Associated British Foods plc
Travelodge Hotels
Lakeland Limited
William Hill
BooHoo Group Plc
Work highlights
- Advising Acti Group on the management of their trade mark and design portfolios.
- Advised Extreme Networks on contentious trade mark enforcement issues.
- Advised Co-Op Group on a fifteen-year naming rights agreement for a new 23,500 seater entertainment venue.
Clarke Willmott LLP
Clarke Willmott LLP acts for a wide range of household name brands in retail, automotives, and other key sectors, on the protection, enforcement and exploitation of their intellectual property rights. The firm has a strong focus on international work, reflected in its client base, and has notable expertise in trade mark filings, and anti-counterfeiting, acting for a number of key clients on dawn raids, seizures, and enforcement proceedings. The team is led by Roy Crozier, an expert in brand strategy advice and anti-counterfeiting. Senior associate Andrew Stone leads on complex litigation.
Practice head(s):
Roy Crozier
Other key lawyers:
Andrew Stone
Testimonials
‘I have worked with Roy Crozier many times. Roy’s great strengths are his commerciality, pragmatism and approachability. Very easy and a pleasure to work with.’
‘This practice is straight-talking, pro-active and extremely skilled in all matters of IP, specifically anti-counterfeiting.’
‘Very experienced and good value for money. ’
‘Roy is a good communicator and very bright. He gets the job done in a very efficient way. Andrew Stone works hard to service clients.’
‘Roy Crozier is very experienced and nice to work with. He has a good sense of providing the right advise, very pragmatic.’
‘Communication and management of this case was the perfect example of a high class professional organization. All representatives were reliable, honesty and very responsive with all our communications. They guided us through the process flawlessly.’
Key clients
Fred Perry
OTEP
UGG Australia
Otter Products, LLC (“OtterBox) and owner of TreeFrog Developments, Inc. (“LifeProof”)
Superdry
Playboy
PUIG Group – owner of many internationally recognised brands (including Paco Rabanne/Nina Ricci/Carolina Herrera/Jean Paul Gaultier/Christian Louboutin)
BaByliss
Canon
Quest International
Work highlights
- Representing Quest International in a complicated patent claim.
- Representing a business and its owner before the Court of Justice of the European Union in a landmark case relating to international jurisdiction in online EU trade mark infringement cases.
- Representing PUIG Group in relation to numerous seizures at ports, airports and hubs of entry into the UK where goods are detained by Border Force.
HGF Law
Specialist IP firm HGF Law handles the full range of matters, encompassing contentious and non-contentious work, with standout capabilities in the life sciences and retail spaces. The firm is home to a team of patent and trade mark attorneys who can offer a range of technical expertise. The practice is led by Janet Knowles, who heads up the life sciences work, including patents and large-scale IP transactions, alongside the 'perceptive' retail specialist Antony Gold, who works with household name brands and retailers. Director Michelle Davies plays a leading role in complex litigation and patent work within life sciences.
Practice head(s):
Janet Knowles; Antony Gold
Other key lawyers:
Michelle Davies; Balvinder Matharu
Testimonials
‘The IP team has a broad breadth of skills and I found great expertise within to support a variety of patent filings. I have also found their advice on contractual matters to be most thorough particularly in respect of IP protection.’
‘We deal predominantly with Janet Knowles and Balvinder Matharu. I have worked with Janet for over 20 years across various businesses and have always found her advice to be of significant value in particular for high value contractual arrangements.’
‘Fantastic understanding of the needs of in-house clients: practical, pragmatic and non-theoretical approach. Good understanding of scientific aspects of client work.’
‘Great support from Michelle Davies in particular. Slots in seamlessly with in-house teams and advises in a clear and comprehensible manner. Explains legal matters in simple layman’s terms. Extremely flexible in terms of schedule. Calm but firm negotiation skills on behalf of client.’
‘Janet Knowles-highly experienced lawyer’
‘Good awareness and sensitivity to our preferred way of working. Good industry and sector knowledge.’
‘Antony Gold – Perceptive, responsive and grounded in practical risk.
Key clients
Kinomica Limited
UNION therapeutics a/s
Extruded Pharmaceuticals Limited
Retrogenix Limited
University of Manchester Innovation Factory Limited
Specsavers Optical Group
We Buy Any Car
Halfords Group plc
Booker Group plc
Portmeirion Group plc
Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine
Aptus Clinical Limited
Lucideon Limited
Rawwater Engineering Services Limited
Medicines Discovery Catapult
Novel Technologies Holdings Limited
Work highlights
- Advised Kinomica on evaluation arrangements to identify the phosphorylation signature of proteins with two pharmaceutical companies with a view to possible companion diagnostic deals.
- Advising Extruded Pharmaceuticals on the renegotiation of invention title for biodegradable polymeric implants for the treatment of a brain tumour and redraft and filing of patent application.
- Advised Retrogenix on a template agreement for its for screening services for the pharmaceutical industry.
Brabners LLP
Brabners LLP works with national and international businesses in a number of sectors, including sport, film and television, retail, and logistics. The team advises clients on trade mark registration and prosecution, protection and enforcement of intellectual property rights, and commercial IP issues. The team is led by Colin Bell, who leads on commercial IP, brand strategy and enforcement, and in litigation for a number of the firm's major clients, while managing partner Nik White remains active within the practice. Senior associate Hannah Fawcett is dual-qualified as a trade mark attorney and leads on non-contentious matters, with fellow associate Hayley Morgan also noted for her role in patent issues and litigation.
Practice head(s):
Colin Bell
Other key lawyers:
Hannah Fawcett; Hayley Morgan; Nik White
Testimonials
‘Hannah and the team look after all our IP, and ensure we are protected where needed. Our trade marks and Patents are on watch, so very comforting.’
‘Hannah Fawcett and all the IP staff are good. ’
‘Good availability and reliable advice ’
‘Extensive knowledge of IP legals more so than any other firm we have used. However, also able to leverage this knowledge in a commercial manner to add value to transactions.’
‘Colin Bell -Extensive know how coupled with challenging style with us as clients and opposite the third party we were negotiating with. Refreshing approach to what can be a dry subject. Could rely on him completely in this area for expert input, proposed tactics and direct negotiation and follow up drafting. A real asset to the team.’
‘I work mostly with Hannah and she has not failed to deliver or provide an excellent sounding board where needed , sometimes tempering my naturally combative nature.‘
Key clients
Alfa Leisureplex Group Ltd, David Urquhart Holidays Ltd
Alphavet International Limited
Angel Revive Ltd
Apollo Generics Ltd
Beaverbrooks the Jeweller Ltd
Booking.com Transport Ltd t/a rentalcars.com and Priceline.com (UK and US subsidiaries of Priceline Inc)
Cataclean Global Limited
CBDSportcom Ltd
Chargepoint Technology Limited
Churchill Graham, Lda
Citadel LLC (KCG IP Holdings Limited)
Coffee Panna Ltd
Crane Ltd
EMDR Association (UK)
Eocito Ltd
EPG Business Ltd T/A Epic risk Management
Evidential Limited
FAUN Trackway Limited
Gas Tag Ltd
Greenberg Traurig and Winston & Strawn (US Law Firms)
H&O Distribution Ltd T/A Primalash
H.G. Stephenson Limited
Hospital Compare Ltd
HR Healthcare Limited; Webcare Group Limited
James Hall & Company Limited (NW Spar Franchise Operator)
L10N Media pte Ltd
Lancashire County Cricket Club
LiverBuildingCo Ltd
Nazdar Ltd
Polski Koncern Naflowy ORLEN S.A.
Portfolio Eleven Limited
Primalash Limited
Quartermaine Brands
Work highlights
- Advising Wigan Warriors on their entire rebrand and filing trade mark applications to protect the new brand.
- Advising Regatta on all intellectual property-related matters including a Customs Office matter in Poland and formal registry Opposition proceedings.
- Representing Tall Group of Companies Limited, Checkprint Limited & DLRT Limited against Communisis plc, in relation to a patent infringement claim and passing off allegations.
Brandsmiths
Dedicated IP firm Brandsmiths works with a variety of high-profile retailers and brands on contentious and non-contentious matters, including brand licensing, enforcement, and protection proceedings, as well as high-profile litigation, with cases before the High Court. The team is led by Michael Forrester and Andrew Lee, both specialist IP lawyers who work on a national basis for major clients, dividing their time between London and Manchester. In the Manchester office, senior associates Jacob O’Brien and John Battersby are key figures, handling IP protection and litigation respectively.
Practice head(s):
Michael Forrester; Andrew Lee
Other key lawyers:
Jacob O’Brien; John Battersby
Testimonials
‘John Battersby has made the daunting process of legal action so much more bearable. Giving a full and thorough assessment of my requirements and then creating a robust plan of action to ensure the best possible result, explaining all options along the way.’
‘Practical and pragmatic advice, well aware of importance of budget and urgency of matters.’
‘They are agile and keen, commercial and good for SMEs.’
‘Keen and enthusiastic, alert to improvement and the best deal for client.’
‘Brandsmiths has a strong core of solicitors to handle intellectual property litigation and dispute resolution. The team has grown this year by the addition of several new solicitors and support staff to diversify its offering to clients. The firm is forward-thinking in its approach to marketing, online content and client-care. It provides an informative website with access to video discussions on IP matters and current issues, including a focus on sports matters.’
‘Michael Forrester heads up the Manchester office. I have worked with Michael for several years, typically in matters where clients require IP litigation or commercial contract expertise. Michael is passionate about IP and fights hard to deliver results for the client. He is ultra-contactable and combines a personable manner with a strong knowledge of litigation strategy. Clients I have referred to Michael appreciate his clear, straightforward advice.’
Key clients
Lifestyle Equities CV
NIconix Brand Group
NRW Invest North Ltd
TickX
Premiership Football Players
International Pipeline Products Limited
Beyond Corporate/Beyond Group
Night Addict/Whispering Smith
SpectrumX Healthcare
Missguided
Work highlights
- Represented Lifestyle Equities as claimants in an ongoing case in the High Court and Court of Appeal involving the fashion brands Beverly Hills Polo Club and Santa Monica Polo Club.
- Advising Iconix on a wide range of contentious and non-contentious issues.
- Representing a brand owner in a variety of proceedings relating to trade mark, patent, anti-counterfeiting and design right matters.
DLA Piper
DLA Piper handles commercial issues, transactions, and litigation for national and multinational clients, with particular strength in the retail and consumer, manufacturing, and life sciences industries. The team is integrated nationally, and regularly acts on cross-border matters, including trade mark and brand enforcement and protection. The team is led by Sarah Bell, Lee Brierley, and Peter Brook, who advise on commercial and non-contentious IP issues, while senior associate Jim McDonnell specialises in IP, including cross-border licensing and disputes.
Practice head(s):
Sarah Bell; Lee Brierley; Peter Brook
Other key lawyers:
Jim McDonnell
Testimonials
‘DLA have large teams covering a wide variety of legal matters with office locations across the globe providing great international reach. As a global business we have operations in many different countries and DLA.’
‘DLA really take the time to get to know our internal team and understand our business, which enables them to better support us and act as a true extension of our in-house team. It also enables them to focus on the big picture and deliver pragmatic business solutions to complicated legal issues. Their lawyers are prepared to adopt a commercial approach when required and give us clear recommendations rather than simply laying out the options.’
‘Responsive, reasonable cost, willingness to state the complex point in simple commercial language.’
Key clients
takepayments
Laura Ashley
Sellafield
Unilever
Trio Healthcare / Impel Healthcare
Premier League
Newell Brands
Vernacare
AO World
DW Sports
Graham and Brown
Key Group
Orcha Health
Frederic Robinson
Graham & Brown
The Hut Group
Nichols
Becton Dickinson
Snowdonia Cheese Co
Transport for the North
Work highlights
- Representing Key Retirement Group in trade mark and brand enforcement matters.
- Advising Snowdonia Cheese on its day-to-day requirements regarding its global IP and trading arrangements.
- Advising the Premier League on a large-scale litigation and enforcement campaign against copyright infringement.
DWF
DWF works with a diverse range of clients on contentious and non-contentious intellectual property issues, with particular expertise in brand exploitation and IP strategy advice. The team also has a dedicated IP litigator in Asima Rana, who specialises in IP infringement claims and cross-border IP disputes. Non-contentious and commercial IP matters are led by James Lonsdale, who advises clients in the retail, sports, manufacturing, and food sectors on issues such as patent and trade mark licencing. Director Catherine Harrison is another key name, advising household name clients on licensing and other specialist commercial issues. Craig Chaplin moved to a non-legal position within the firm.
Practice head(s):
James Lonsdale; Asima Rana
Other key lawyers:
Catherine Harrison; Sean Caldwell; Rachael Burke
Testimonials
‘The team, led by Sean Caldwell, is very approachable and always on hand when needed. The advice received is both technically and commercially sound. They really understand what we are trying to achieve and help us to get there.’
‘Rachael Burke is a pleasure to work with. She is always quick to respond and her advice is clear and succinct. She is commercially astute and is a safe pair of hands in negotiations. I would not hesitate to recommend her to others.’
‘The team has a very good understanding of the clients need – they very quickly learn how the client want things to be done and what is important for the client. After a very short time I felt comfortable letting the team take the lead in the negotiations because they knew what my priorities was.’
‘James Lonsdale: To the point and extremely good at explaining complex challenges in a way that everyone understand. He also has a unique ability to come up with simple solutions in situations where challenges could easily be escalated.’
Key clients
Daky International Limited
Private Individual
Barrett Steel Limited
JLG Group Plc
Gateshead Council
Paul Hartmann AG
Cultureshift Communications Limited
Quantum Base
IIM+ PTE Ltd
Homebase
Work highlights
- Represented Daky International Limited in successfully resolving a claim for trademark infringement against Debenhams following their major brand relaunch in 2019.
- Advised IIM+, providing strategic and deal-specific advice in respect of innovative technology to enable passengers to watch live-stream content during air travel.
- Advising Homebase on its three-year licensing arrangement with Hearst UK.
Pannone Corporate LLP
Pannone Corporate LLP specialises in IP litigation and contracts, advising clients in the retail, consumer, manufacturing, technology, and life sciences sectors on contentious and non-contentious matters, including complex trade mark and passing off litigation, large-scale contractual negotiations, and e-commerce regulatory issues. The team is led by Melanie McGuirk, who takes the lead on contentious matters including "soft" disputes and litigation, alongside commercial head Amy Chandler, who has a strong record in IP and tech agreements. Director Sarah Bazaraa plays a leading role in disputes, particularly within the media sector.
Practice head(s):
Melanie McGuirk; Amy Chandler
Other key lawyers:
Sarah Bazaraa
Testimonials
‘I would like to emphasis that Melanie McGuirk was amazing from our first meeting right to the conclusion of my case, during our first meeting she gave me hope in a situation which I had long since deemed a lost cause, she continually went above and beyond to assist me with a case which seemed it had little chance of success, Melanie was extremely empathetic to my situation and lack of available resources at the time, they continued to support and advise me over a 2 year period, securing a settlement against a formidable adversary. Of course a successful outcome is great, but I would recommend Pannone and especially Melanie McGuirk even if we had been unsuccessful.’
‘Excellent and highly professional service. Committed staff and they can see around corners and spot the flaws in complex and sometimes ground-breaking agreements. ’
‘Amy Chandler remains cool and insightful at all times and her team including Danielle Amor are just highly professional, intelligent and care about what they do.’
‘Flexibility, knowledge and adaptability to work across a wide range of IP issues. This has been both across domestic challenges as well as inter-territory/overseas challenges, such as trans-Atlantic agreements, involving the complexities of GDPR, individual overseas territory compliances (such as specific data and privacy requirements).’
‘Our main point of contact is partner Amy Chandler. We’ve worked with Amy for years. Amy is reliable, flexible and experienced and is our go to for all IP matters. She understands the nuts and bolts of our IP, our business models, and can quickly pivot to understand any new sectors (and their considerations) our business evolves into, working closely with our senior team as to how to best address our IP considerations, on a wide-ranging and bespoke basis.’
‘The team give very pragmatic easy to understand advice in what is a very complex field. They were able to relay to our client our concerns over the protection of our IPR and reach an amicable agreement in the contract negotiation that suited both parties.’
‘Personal service, readily available. Amy Chandler handled our case exceptionally.’
‘Sarah Barazza – fantastic lawyer – great people/ client skills.‘
Key clients
Pets at Home Limited
Brother International Europe Limited
Boohoo.com UK Limited
Iceland Foods Limited
Prettylittlethings.com Limited
Travel Insurance facilities plc
International Game Technology plc
Renold plc
KarenMillen.com Limited
AMS Neve Limited
Admiral Sportswear Limited
Nasty Gal Limited
Miss Pap Limited
Oasis Limited
Represent Clothing Limited
Work highlights
- Represented AMS Neve Limited in trade mark infringement and passing off proceedings.
- Represented Prettylittlething.com Limited in a fashion dispute in the IPEC with a competitor.
- Advised Seatriever on restraining the misuse of its trade secrets and confidential information sold by a former employee to a Danish competitor.
TLT
TLT represents household-name retail clients and brands in trade mark enforcement and prosecution proceedings, alongside a standout chemical, mechanical and electrical engineering patent litigation practice with UK and international elements. The non-contentious practice, led by David Gardner, advises on IP development, licensing, and transactions, including IP transfers and combinations. Practice head Graeme Orchison has expertise in international IP infringement litigation relating to both patents and trade marks, with particular capabilities in the life sciences sector, and has handled Brexit and COVID-19 related disputes during 2020.
Practice head(s):
Graeme Orchison
Other key lawyers:
David Gardner
Testimonials
‘My impression is of an efficient, modern firm with good client service.’
‘Graeme Orchison. Very experienced and knowledgeable: knows all the tricks people can play in litigation and so does not fall for them.’
‘Graeme Orchison – Experienced, Well Liked, Great to work with.’
‘The senior members of the team (headed up by Graeme Orchison, the head of IP and the Manchester office) are experts in their field. They also have a fantastic route through the team to allow more junior members to gain experience and become experts themselves. They are a solid and reliable outfit.’
‘Graeme Orchison, the Partner and head of IP, is very well known in the IP field. His ability to apply aggressive litigation strategy together with commercial pragmatism both when appropriate is what makes Graeme and his team the leaders in this field.’
‘The team is extremely responsive and available to address any issues’
‘Graeme Orchison is the best lawyer you can hire for trademark enforcement. Practical and hands on approach to matters. You can’t go wrong with him.’
‘Graeme Orchison is a stand-out partner for IP, so much so that he is the reason why we started to use TLT in the first place.’
Key clients
Alpla UK Limited
Beaconsfield Footwear Ltd (owner of the HOTTER brand)
D Jacobson & Sons Ltd (owner of the GOLA brand)
A leading national clearing bank
Elavon Financial Service DAC
Matalan Retail Limited
Faerch A/S
Halewood International Brands Limited
Major global brewer
Boohoo/Pretty Little Thing/Nasty Gal
Brother UK Limited
The Hut Group plc
Texecom Limited
Yorkshire Building Society
Work highlights
- Advising Boohoo.com on high value, time critical transactions to acquire and transfer high street brands, intellectual property rights and technology licenses.
- Representing Faerch A/S in a patent validity dispute with Quinn Packaging. The case concerns the chemical and engineering technology relating to APET plastic trays for fresh food and their sealing properties.
- Representing a major global brewer before the General Court and the ECJ in trade mark opposition and cancellation proceedings.
Gateley Plc
Gateley Plc handles filings and trade mark applications, brand protection, and IP disputes for a range of clients, with a strong record in acting for life sciences and innovation technology clients. The team is headed up by commercial IP and disputes specialist Jonathan Moakes.
Practice head(s):
Jonathan Moakes
Kuit Steinart Levy LLP
Kuit Steinart Levy LLP's diverse intellectual property offering encompasses non-contentious matters such as trade mark establishment, portfolio acquisitions, and patent registration, alongside complex contentious issues including software and database protection, patent litigation, and international trade mark litigation. Clients include companies and individuals in the fashion, retail, entertainment, and sports sectors. Bruce Jones now leads the team, and is dual qualified as a European patent attorney, with Ian Morris taking on a consultant role. Claire Meyers specialises in contentious intellectual property issues.
Practice head(s):
Bruce Jones
Other key lawyers:
Ian Morris; Claire Meyers; Humna Nadim
Testimonials
‘Brilliant understanding of the issues and cutting to the chase.’
‘Bruce Jones – never lets an issue be deferred, always considering and planning the right approach and being forthright in his assessment and opinions’
‘Friendliness, collaboration, expertise.’
‘Humna Nadim is always willing to help and think of different ways how to be of assistance in a case.’
‘Humna Nadim is a stand-out solicitor in the intellectual property team. She is personable, extremely knowledgeable and a clear communicator. I would not hesitate to refer clients to her. Humna is also proactive in organising IP seminars and events that are informative and facilitate networking and introductions.’
Key clients
Adventa
Beauty Bay Limited
Bidooh
BiSN
Character World Limited
Class of ‘92
Dairy Crest
DRSP Limited
Harnbury Holdings Limited (San Carlo restaurants)
Princes
Thornton & Ross Limited
University Academy 92 Limited
Work highlights
- Represented Beauty Bay in a competition claim against L’Oreal.
- Advising healthtech organisation EQL on all elements of its IP creation, development, protection and exploitation.
- Representing AdMoments in IP exploitation proceedings.
Pinsent Masons LLP
Pinsent Masons LLP handles a wide range of commercial IP matters, with particular strength in the sports, retail, and life sciences sectors. Notable work for the firm has included Covid-19 responses and data issues for sporting organisations, IP transfer and protection in retail and e-commerce, and IP development contracts. Samantha Livesey leads the team, and is an experienced commercial practitioner with a portfolio of high-profile sporting and retail clients, and is a regular contributor to thought leadership. Senior associate Sam Hall focuses on intellectual property and commercial rights exploitation in the retail and sports sectors.
Practice head(s):
Samantha Livesey
Other key lawyers:
Sam Hall
Testimonials
‘Combination of billing approach and flexibility along with their technological solutions. ’
Key clients
World Athletics
Sweaty Betty
The Body Shop International
Tesco
Silentnight
Jockey Club Racecourse
Lily’s Kitchen
England Golf
Celtic Football Club
Epicurean Dairy
Innovative Vector Control Consortium
Work highlights
- Advised on World Athletics’ innovative actions to continue to run and broadcast high level sporting events during the Covid-19 pandemic.
- Advised JCR on the renewal of JCR’s title Grand National sponsorship agreement with Randox Health.
- Advised Silentnight on their first footprint into the US with the licensing of the Silentnight brand to US company AW Industries and its brand collaboration with Wax Lyrical.
Shoosmiths LLP
Shoosmiths LLP advises on transactional IP issues, such as brand licensing and IP transfers, alongside a notable record in sports rights, led by Richard Millington, who specialises in intellectual property rights across the sports and media sectors. Clients include high-profile figures in football and rugby, alongside national corporates.
Practice head(s):
Key clients
Henkel
Apparel Brands
Six Nations
Boi Trading
Duck ‘n’ Cover
Oleksandr (Alex) Zinczenko (Man City player)
AR Discs
Wraith International
IPA Global
Cellnex Telecom
Volkswagon Group
Ann Summers
Work highlights
- Advising footballer Alex Zinchenko on image rights agreements.
- Advising Bench on its acquisition of Wraith, including extensive international brand licensing.
- Advised Henkel on the music rights licensing for the Schwarzkopf live 2020 campaign.
DAC Beachcroft LLP
DAC Beachcroft LLP works with national and international clients on IP transactions, alongside representation in disputes. The firm specialises in the protection of copyright, trade marks, and design rights, in addition to passing off cases. It also works with European clients on Brexit-related changes to IP rights and cross-border disputes. The team is led by Harald Loeffler, an experienced litigator with great expertise in European-domiciled work.
Practice head(s):
Harald Loeffler
Testimonials
‘The team offers strength in depth at a range of levels – from partner through to junior lawyers and so there is scope to get support at the right price point without sacrificing quality. We work in a heavily regulated area that requires a particular mindset and approach and so you need to have individuals with the right experience available.’
‘DAC Beachcroft has for us been a one stop shop for legal expertise. We have been required to work within the NEC3 contractual framework and DACB have effortlessly led us through the process, enabling us to ask our customer the right questions.’
Key clients
Internorm
Banner GmbH
Rinicom Ltd
Lawspeed
Oberbank
EMIS Health
University of Manchester Students’ Union
Work highlights
- Advised Internorm on all aspects of the protection of its intellectual property rights in the UK and the Republic of Ireland.
- Advised Rinicom on all intellectual property aspects of a transaction with London Underground and Panasonic in connection with the supply of software defined radios.
- Represented a leading insurer in connection with the termination of a contract for the supply of business-critical, bespoke risk-management software and resulting issues over the ownership of intellectual property rights.
Myerson Solicitors LLP
Myerson Solicitors LLP works with a variety of corporate and individual clients on intellectual property matters from initial registration and exploitation of patents and trade marks, to protection and enforcement, including regular representation of clients in intellectual property disputes and litigation. The team is led by Carla Murray and Tim Norman, who lead on non-contentious and contentious issues respectively.
Practice head(s):
Carla Murray; Tim Norman
Key clients
Zebraware Limited
Customs Connect Limited
Almond School of Design Limited
Panthera Biopartners Limited
VeGB Holding BV (part of HOOD BV Group)
Work highlights
- Advising Almond School of Design on its incorporation and IP elements of its platform.
- Advising Customs Connect on the negotiation of a master collaboration agreement in relation to the ongoing development of a client portal and dashboard.
- Advised Panthera Biopartners on the negotiation of a master collaboration agreement for the delivery of clinical trials for cancer treatments.
Gorvins Solicitors
Gorvins Solicitors advises and represents clients across contentious and non-contentious intellectual property issues, handling IP-related transactions and commercial agreements such as licensing. It also handles trade mark and patent enforcement proceedings and litigation. The team is led by corporate lawyer Andrew Curwen, who focuses on transactional work, and experienced commercial litigator Guy Lightowler, who leads on contentious issues. Christian Mancier regularly advises on GDPR-related issues.
Practice head(s):
Andrew Curwen; Guy Lightowler
Other key lawyers:
Christian Mancier
Testimonials
‘Gorvins are an excellent firm and I definitely recommend them to anyone based in the North West. They have a range of capabilities and a strong client ethos. ’
‘Christian Mancier consistently provides straight forward and clear advice to us. He is reliable and always able to simplify an issue providing advice in a clear and structured manner. ’
‘Guy Lightowler, has been excellent.’
‘Guy is prepared to really understand our concerns. He asks for all of the pertinent details to really assess the issue and then advises accordingly. His approach is a real-world one and not just a matter of law.‘
Key clients
District Surveyors Association Limited t/a LABC
Barrowmix Limited
Easy-Hire Power Tools Limited
Mondiale Publishing Limited
Sleeper Media Limited
Darc Media Limited
CGA Strategy Limited
Richer Sounds plc
GPC Computer Software Limited
Work highlights
- Advising GPC Computer Software Limited on its contract discussions with a number of high profile booking platforms and taxi operators in the UK, Europe, Canada and Australia.
Irwin Mitchell
Irwin Mitchell advises technology and life sciences clients on commercial IP issues, portfolio management, and enforcement, regularly acting on cross-border cases. Laura Harper heads up the team in Manchester, and has a strong record in complex IP matters within the creative industries.
Practice head(s):
Laura Harper
Key clients
Whispering Smith Limited
Balance App Limited
Firesprite Limited
Grandpa Productions Limited
Newson Health Limited
Dinosaur UK Limited
Apis Assay Technologies Ltd
Louise Newson Medical Writer Ltd
Saffron Cherry Productions
Good For Nothing Limited
Work highlights
- Advising Whispering Smith Limited on all intellectual property matters.
- Advising Balance App Limited on all intellectual property matters.
- Advised Firesprite on its global intellectual property matters, including brand protection.