Overview

Our IP lawyers have a formidable level of expertise, which is acknowledged nationally and internationally.

The highly-acclaimed team’s key clients include multiple high profile global brands. Drawing on expertise from a range of technical, scientific and commercial backgrounds, our IP lawyers have market-leading, in-depth insight into a range of industry sectors. We ensure that our service is tailored to each client, and is rooted in a clear understanding of their commercial objectives.

Our offering is genuinely full service (aside from patent prosecution). The IP group includes a team of trade mark attorneys allowing us to offer clients a full brand protection service. Clients come to us in particular for our expertise in more complex issues (we are often asked to provide second opinions), and we are regularly praised for our problem-solving and, above all, pragmatic, commercial solutions.

We also offer specialist commercial advice to the media industry, advising a range of high-profile clients working in advertising, television, music, publishing and social media.

Areas of focus

Our IP law and media expertise includes the following:

  • Clearance, ownership and protection of intellectual property rights – including trade mark and design rights, intellectual property audits, registrations and management of national and international portfolios.
  • Exploitation of intellectual property rights – through collaboration agreements, joint ventures, licensing arrangements and assignments.
  • Intellectual property disputes – including trade mark, patent, copyright and design litigation, trade mark oppositions and cancellations and Company Names Tribunal and domain name disputes.
  • Regulatory and statutory developments and implications for the media industry.
  • Sponsorship arrangements, broadcasting rights and exploitation agreements for TV/multimedia clients.
Experience

We file and manage Starbucks’ entire UK trade mark portfolio, provide UK brand clearance advice, and advise on trade mark opposition, infringement/passing off and copyright issues arising in the UK, including unauthorised use of the company name and logo.

We act for Victoria’s Secret and other brands in its stable (including Bath & Body Works, Henri Bendel and La Senza) across a range of IP matters, including contentious trade mark matters globally. We have also acted in multiple pre-action litigation issues and in high profile Court of Appeal trade mark infringement proceedings.

We manage the FirstGroup plc's trade mark portfolio and advise on various branding issues and disputes.

Advising RAC on its continuing development of hi-tech telematics solutions, including brand and technology licensing.

Advising the US media company and owner of the Discovery Channel on new channel and brand launches in the UK and managing its UK trade mark portfolio. We have also advised on media and regulatory issues, such as geoblocking.

Assisting Virgin's in house team with their IP needs, including advising on issues of trade mark infringement, passing off, company name disputes and domain disputes, as well as providing non-contentious advice on matters such as licensing arrangements. We have also provided a number of secondees to the team.

Acting for Yeo Valley, the UK's premier organic dairy brand, for a number of years, including around its IP arrangements.

One of the most famous brands in the UK is a key client for the IP team. We police the Harrods brand both on the internet and the high street, including trade mark infringements, copyright and counterfeiting issues. We have conducted a substantial number of successful ICANN disputes to recover Harrods related domain names.

Advised the University of Bristol in relation to a joint venture with Bristol City Council, including intellectual property arrangements for the JV, as well as the licensing of key IP to the JV, and how the commercial IP arrangements would flow down to users.

Acted in the UK for Jack Wolfskin, one of the leading European manufacturers of outdoor apparel and outdoor equipment, mainly in relation to its iconic wolfpaw device.

Meet the team
Jeremy Dickerson

Jeremy Dickerson Partner

  • Head of International 
  • Head of Intellectual Property, Media and Sport
  • Defamation and Reputation Management
Helen Scott-Lawler

Helen Scott-Lawler Partner

  • Head of Food and Drink
  • Commercial
  • Intellectual Property and Media
Emily Roberts

Emily Roberts Partner

  • Intellectual Property and Media
  • Intellectual Property Disputes
  • Intellectual Property Portfolio Protection

What others say...

Burges Salmon wins marquee name after marquee name – and has no problems keeping them on board. Key draws include a creative approach and pragmatic, commercially focused solutions; an impressive track record in contentious scenarios; and the ability to advise across the European Union and further afield.

World Trademark Review 2022

Key contact

Jeremy Dickerson

Jeremy Dickerson Partner

  • Head of International 
  • Head of Intellectual Property, Media and Sport
  • Defamation and Reputation Management

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