Brands & trade marks

We believe that for a brand-led business the protection of the brand should be a priority. Our team of brand and trade mark experts provides commercially aware, strategic advice to protect, exploit and enforce clients' brands in UK and international markets.

From leading international brands to high tech start-ups and new entrants to the online marketplace, we provide a full brand protection service, specialising in global brand management and protection.

Our team advise across a range of sectors including retail and consumer goods, leisure, technology and media and financial services.

We regularly consult clients on trade mark clearance, trade mark filings and prosecutions, domain name registrations and strategic portfolio management services on a worldwide basis. The team also has considerable experience in trade mark and domain name renewals and watching, franchising, sponsorship, merchandising and licensing arrangements.

Clients value our strategic advice when dealing with trade mark oppositions, cancellations and domain name dispute resolution. We also support clients with online brand protection and take down, anti-counterfeiting, customs notifications and seizures, infringements, passing-off and unfair competition claims.

We work with our international network of foreign lawyers to provide global coverage, with a single point of contact for clients.

• Advising a financial services company on how best to protect its brands in the UK and overseas, and taking action to prevent unauthorised and fraudulent use of the brand.
• Acted for Boohoo.com on two high value, time critical transactions to acquire leading high street brands from administrators. Provided input on the transferring of brands, intellectual property rights, technology licenses and infrastructure relating to customer management, logistics and e-commerce.
• Advising major retailer Argos' collaboration with Cherokee to sell Cherokee brand clothing including on IP licences and royalty provisions.
• Managing the Energy Saving Trust's trade mark portfolio, advising on their brand protection strategy and dealing with trade mark infringement claims against third parties that have been using our client's logos and branding without consent.