Brand & design protection

Our lawyers have extensive experience in protecting companies' brands, designs, trade marks and copyrights, and helping clients to capitalise on these assets through licensing, merchandising and sponsorship. We also offer one of the most highly regarded "one stop" trade mark services in the profession. Our dispute resolution team advises on everything from trade mark infringement and "unfair competition" claims through to software copyright and design of electronic components and the increasingly complex areas of database management and digital rights management. With the increasing global nature of IP rights and disputes, we have built up an impressive team of international specialists and regularly take the lead role in cases across multiple jurisdictions. 

Acting for leading UK and global brands, we consistently advise clients in relation to anti-counterfeiting campaigns and trade mark, design, passing-off and domain name disputes. Representing companies across all major sectors, our team has particular expertise in assisting consumer products, pharmaceutical, media, information technology and travel and leisure businesses. 

We have represented clients in all forums, ranging from opposition proceedings before the UK Intellectual Property Office and OHIM through to litigation in the higher courts (up to and including the Court of Justice in Luxembourg). 

Complementing this deep understanding of the UK and European appellate courts, we recognise the importance of alternative dispute resolution methods. In addition to handling mediation and arbitration proceedings (with several partners acting as qualified Mediators), our specialist lawyers routinely advise clients in relation to complaints made to the Advertising Standards Authority and other industry-specific regulatory bodies.

“Bristows’ team is led by recently promoted partner Paul Jordan, who is ‘responsive and pragmatic’. Bristows ‘can be relied upon to understand the commercial position’, and represents major brands Cadbury, Diageo and new client McDonald’s, along with leading advertising agencies BBH and WPP. Paul Walsh provides ‘clear, comprehensive, authoritative advice’.” -
The Legal 500 2011

"At Bristows, commercial partner Laura Anderson heads a team that advises a number of big brands, including longstanding clients Cadbury and Diageo, which it advised on a global promotion in celebration of the anniversary of the creation of Guinness... Paul Jordan, who is 'very astute and commercial', has recently been promoted to the partnership. The 'level of service is excellent" - The Legal 500 2010

“Paul Walsh ‘has a fantastic practice and is extremely knowledgeable,’ comment sources. He is often involved in high-profile trade mark litigation, such as representing L'Oréal in an infringement case against eBay in the UK and before the ECJ.” - Chambers and Partners 2011