The cohort at Beck Greener LLP is well-equipped to assist its clientele in the management of global trade mark portfolios, on the strategy surrounding both traditional and non-traditional marks, and on high-profile disputes. Handling contentious disputes and trade mark prosecution forms a significant portion of team lead Ian Bartlett‘s workload; Bartlett harnesses over 30 years’ experience in the field. Catherine Jewell ’truly stands out in every respect’ according to clients and has expertise defending brands through opposition proceedings, conducting and advising on searches and negotiating settlement agreements. EU trade mark expert Rowland Buehrlen collaborates with the London team from the firm’s Alicante office. Duncan Morgan is an experienced IP litigator, having acted for clients from well-known clothing designers to well-known musical artists.
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Profile

Profile

Work Department
Partner. Head of Trade Marks
Position

Ian is a recognised expert in trade mark, designs, copyright and merchandising law, both in the UK and internationally, who has worked with leading brands from all sectors of the economy and has a particularly extensive following of media and entertainment businesses. The consummate litigator, he is valued by clients for his great communication skills, excellent judgement, creative thinking and for always going beyond the call of duty.

The perfect choice for novel contentious work, Ian Bartlett “is in his element when disputes ratchet up, giving him the opportunity to showcase his perfectly pitched advocacy” according to commentators. Having trained as a barrister at Lincoln’s Inn, his background in High Court litigation, coupled with 30 years’ experience of trade mark prosecution, make him much in demand for trade mark, copyright and design hearings before the UK Intellectual Property Office (UKIPO) and Appointed Person. He also runs cases before EUIPO (the EU trade mark and designs office) and their Board of Appeal, and works on cases referred to the General Court.

Much of Ian’s work comes from large, well-known multinationals, including international publishers, major cosmetics brands, and some of the biggest names in the entertainment industry. He also represents significant numbers of small businesses. His experience spans fields as diverse as accountancy, telecommunications infrastructure, domestic flooring, pharmaceuticals, price comparison websites and highway maintenance.

As well as prosecuting and enforcing his clients’ intellectual property rights, Ian also helps them to maintain and build their portfolios, providing practical, commercial, legal advice that is carefully tailored towards their individual interests. Responsive and tenacious, he is noted as being “brilliant at adjusting his advice to the unique circumstances of each client.”

Career

Ian Bartlett read philosophy at the University of Leeds before going on to study law at City University, London. He trained as a barrister at Lincoln’s Inn and was called to the English Bar in 1985. Ian has over 25 years’ experience of trade mark prosecution and contentious intellectual property disputes. Professional qualifications include: Inns of Court School of Law (1984); Chartered Trade Mark Attorney 1990; PGD in IP Litigation, Nottingham Law School.

Ian teaches on the tribunal practice module of the Chartered Trade Mark Attorney (CITMA) course at Nottingham Law School. He sits on The Chartered Institute of Trade Mark Attorneys Council and also chairs CITMA’s Law & Practice Committee and its Litigation Working Group.

Languages
English
Memberships
Member of the Chartered Institute of Trade Mark Attorneys (MCITMA).
Education

University of Leeds (1980 BA); City University, London (1983 DipLaw).

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Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘Catherine Jewell is an excellent listener and her advice is very focused on the issues that are critical for my commercial aims. Catherine is excellent at making complex issues seem straightforward, by identifying the major roadblocks and proposing practical solutions.’

  • ‘The team has a winning mentality with the legal capabilities to achieve those wins.’

Key clients

  • Oasis (Noel and Liam Gallagher)
  • Pharrell Williams

Work highlights

Acting for a Swedish food company client in a complex trade mark dispute with the Government of Cyprus and the Halloumi Foundation over the latter’s claim to the name HALLOUMI.