Brands are big business. Increasingly corporations have recognised this importance and value. Fortunes are spent in advertising and marketing to develop a successful brand and it is just as important to protect a brand once it has become successful, to ensure that it remains distinctive and is not abused by competitors. This is why the law of trade marks is of vital importance. Trade marks are the only form of intellectual property right that is potentially capable of indefinite duration.
We advise on all areas of trade mark strategy and protection and regularly litigate on behalf of our clients to protect their rights. A common misconception made by many people, including many lawyers, is that trade mark law is a relatively simple area where issues and answers are straightforward. That is completely wrong – it is perhaps instructive that the number of references to the European Court of Justice on trade mark related issues far outweighs any other intellectual property area. We have a wealth of experience of dealing with these matters over many years.
We combine our legal skills with a commercial and pragmatic approach and our uncompromising attitude to litigation, where it serves our clients’ interests. We will handle all aspects of trade mark infringement including the English action for “passing off” which protects unregistered trademarks. We will also advise on European law related issues and have detailed knowledge and experience of the complex area of exhaustion of rights, parallel imports and “grey market” goods.
We also have a wide range of experience of online Internet related issues including domain name disputes. We deal with major disputes between competing brand owners as well as actions involving counterfeiting and similar activities. We also deal with trade mark licensing and transactions involving the acquisition or disposal of major brands.
Our clients include major food and drink companies, pharmaceutical manufacturers, clothing and luxury goods suppliers, media companies, as well as many other corporations which seek to protect their identity and brands.