England - North West • TMT (technology, media and telecoms)
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Intellectual property

Brandsmiths

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Brandsmiths houses a broad practice which assists well-known brands and companies seeking to protect and enhance their IP assets. Michael Forrester stands out due to his expansive expertise in contentious IP work, particularly in relation to unregistered designs, passing off, and trade marks. Acting for a diverse client roster of fashion and retail clients, John Battersby regularly appears before the IPEC and High Court in IP disputes. Jacob O’Brien often advises tech companies and brands with the enforcement and protection of their IP rights, and Claire Meyers is noted for her distinctive focus on issues arising at the intersection between IP and competition law.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘The firm has IP written through it as a specialism. It very much feels that all lawyers in the team are IP specialists and as a result you feel you are in safe hands with a very complicated area of law. Everyone in the team is also able to communicate very effectively. ’

  • ‘Michael Forrester is very adept and articulates the position very well. ’

  • ‘The solicitors at Brandsmiths are extremely diligent, efficient, and great to work with. The firm has a friendly and familiar culture, and always strives to secure great results for clients.’

  • ‘Strength and depth of IP knowledge and experience.’

  • ‘John Battersby - provides expert, pragmatic advice and is a delight to deal with.

  • 'Michael Forrester - all round solid litigator who will tenaciously pursue matters to get the right outcome for the client.'

Key clients

  • Iconix International
  • Beverly Hills Polo Club
  • Perfect Moment
  • Never Fully Dressed
  • The Fragrance Shop
  • Mallet London
  • Spectrum Brands
  • SpectrumX
  • Manchester United FC
  • YMU
  • Everton FC
  • Microsoft
  • Entertainment One
  • Schuh
  • Broken Planet

Work highlights

  • Representing Iconix in a claim for trade mark infringement relating to the Umbro double diamond logo. Iconix was successful in the Court of Appeal, overturning the High Court decision.
  • Representing Lifestyle Equities in what will culminate in the Supreme Court deciding on the issue of what the nature and extent of the liability of a director or senior executive employee for causing a company to commit a civil wrong, for which a claim can be brought without a finding of fault by the wrongdoer.
  • Representing Lifestyle Equities in the Supreme Court against Amazon. The key issues are the targetting on online advertisements.

Lawyers

Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Michael Forrester
Brandsmiths
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Jacob O'Brien
Brandsmiths
John Battersby
Brandsmiths

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Michael Forrester

Other key lawyers

John Battersby, Jacob O’Brien, Claire Meyers