Overview
As a partner, I have built an intellectual property practice protecting ideas and innovation for clients across a range of sectors from retail and consumer to hotels and leisure; financial services institutions and technology companies to manufacturers of fast moving consumer goods and healthcare companies; and education and training to media and sport.
My work has given me the chance to pursue many pieces of high profile IP litigation through the UK courts and then on to the Court of Justice of the European Union. My court highlights include Interflora -v- Marks & Spencer – a trade mark infringement case relating to the use of Interflora as an AdWord in the Google advertising programme – for which my team won Managing IP’s ‘UK Trade Mark Litigation Team of the Year’ and The Lawyer’s ‘IP team of the Year’; British Horseracing Board -v- William Hill – the first Database Rights case to be heard before the CJEU; Specsavers -v- Asda Stores – a parody advertising case relating to the use of the advertising strapline “Be a real spec saver at Asda” referred to the CJEU on the question of genuine use of a trade mark; and L’Oreal -v- Bellure – a comparative advertising case relating to smell-a-like perfumes referred to the CJEU on the question of what amounts to taking unfair advantage of a trade mark.
I am listed by all the major directories as an expert in my field with my international experience extending beyond trade marks, brands and advertising into patents, design rights, database rights, copyright and breach of confidence cases. I have a strong technology and software disputes practice as well as advising on parallel imports.
When I’m not helping clients, I can be found in the hills either climbing up them or skiing down them.
Recent experience
Successfully acting for a software developer in its claim pursuing licence fees against a defence that the software was not fit for purpose
Advising a perfumer on the launch of its fragrances in the United Kingdom in the face of challenges from a number of fine fragrance houses
Advising the manufacturer of environmentally friendly household goods in the face of design right challenges from a leading competitor
Advising an automotive group on its launch of a number of “restomod” cars
Advising the biggest global online technology training company on a range of contentious intellectual property issues
Advising a global probiotic company on its licensing arrangements with the world’s largest FMCG company
Advising on a number of marketing claims based on a leading insurance industry data company
