Trade Marks

Protecting brand identity

Properly used and protected, trade marks will represent and protect a businesses’ growing reputation. We act for a number of high-profile clients both in managing their trade mark portfolios and in taking action to enforce their trade marks. In each case, we will advise our clients on a cost-effective brand protection strategy.

Tailored brand protection solutions to fit your business goals

Whether a business is UK-based or international, whether a brand is a word, logo, colour, smell or tune, we will find the right protection strategy, taking into account the client’s commercial objectives.

Ongoing trade mark maintenance and management

We manage trade mark strategies, ensuring that new brands are available for use and registration and obtaining registrations.  We monitor the portfolio for renewals and ensure that obsolete marks are not still being paid for.  If a client is entering into a contract where its trade mark will be used by a third party, or vice-versa, we will ensure that the terms agreed do not conflict with the client’s overall brand strategy.

Trademark disputes

Disputes can arise in the course of the trade mark application process (opposition), or as a result of the use of a mark identical or similar to a client’s registered or unregistered trade mark. Clients may also have to negotiate claims brought by competitors against them. We will work with our client to find the correct protection strategy. This might be an action in the UK Intellectual Property Office (UKIPO) or in the EU Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) to prevent registration of a conflicting mark.  It might be a trade mark infringement or passing off claim in the High Court or IPEC, or an action in conjunction with trading standards where counterfeits are in issue.  We will provide clear cost estimates and work with clients to manage their disputes effectively