Intellectual property in North

Boutique intellectual property firm McDaniels Law has solidified its presence in the north with the recent opening of a new office in Carlisle; work from this location is overseen by managing associate Adam Turley, who re-joined the firm from Baines Wilson LLP in December 2020. The practice continues to advise clients on all aspects of the creation and ownership of their intellectual property rights, and currently manages over 1,000 trade marks and 500 registered designs in various jurisdictions. Contentious work is another area of strength for the team, which currently has ongoing client claims in the High Court and the IPEC. Niall Head-Rapson and Kelly Hudson lead the group.

Muckle LLP's intellectual property group is equally focused on contentious and advisory work; litigation expert George Festing oversees the former while commercial specialist Alex Craig leads on the latter. Trade mark portfolio management also continues to be an area of strength and growth for the team. The firm has considerable experience of tackling matters with a nexus to the TMT, education, retail, travel and leisure, industrial engineering and pharmaceutical industries. John Devine is particularly noted for his exclusive work with sports clients, on behalf of whom he handles a wide range of non-contentious IP issues.

Ward Hadaway's team is best known for the support it provides to high growth technology start-ups, entrepreneurs and creative people, advising them from the early stages of their businesses and assisting with the development and exploitation of their intellectual property. The group has particular expertise advising spin-out companies from the university sector. Additionally, it regularly assists its larger clients with complex research and development, international technology licensing and collaboration deals. Trade mark matters are another field of focus for the firm, which handles both advisory work - including registration and portfolio management - and disputes in this area. The key contacts are Alex Shiel, Judy Baker and Bill Goodwin.

The team at Keystone Law is instructed by a wide range of businesses, from start-ups to multinational corporates. The group is equally adept at handling contentious issues, often with an international dimension, and advisory work. Key contact Will Sander's broad practice exemplifies this wide-ranging proficiency; he assists with the full gamut of intellectual property matters, from the identification of IP to its protection and commercialisation, as well as handling disputes both within and outside the UK.

The group at Sintons LLP is noted for its work on the protection, development and commercialisation of new and emerging technologies through new business start-ups and spin outs, particularly in relation to the medical sector. On matters of this kind, the team is able to leverage the support of the firm's well-regarded healthcare group. Karen Simms, who leads the corporate and commercial department, and senior associate Pippa Aitken are the key contacts for non-contentious work. On the litigious side, Graeme Ritzema is the name to note.