Intellectual Property
UK Guide 2025 : North West
Band 3
About
Provided by Brandsmiths
Intellectual Property is the heart of Brandsmiths. Brandsmiths has considerable experience of high-profile litigation in the Appellant Courts, High Court, IPEC and before the registries. Main strengths are litigating trade mark, design, passing off, copyright and confidential information cases. That courtroom experience is also utilised to secure clients the best licensing, corporate and other IP related deals. Brandsmiths has recently represented clients in two Supreme Court cases on points of public importance including Lifestyle Equities v Amazon which is now the leading case on the interaction between territorial trade mark rights and global internet trade. Brandsmiths also successfully represented the owners of the iconic UMBRO brand in the Court of Appeal in a trade mark infringement case. That case is going to the Supreme Court in March 2025.
Chambers Review
Brandsmiths has expertise in a broad range of IP matters, including brand protection, trade marks, licensing and IP litigation. The firm acts for a range of clients including those from the sports, technology and commercial sectors.
Work Highlights
- Brandsmiths successfully represented Iconix in a trade mark infringement claim against Dream Pairs relating to the Umbro double diamond logo.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"Brandsmiths is a niche IP firm with a really good team of people. I like the speed of their responses and their very commercial approach."
"Brandsmiths are extremely knowledgeable and have good experience across the team. The lawyers are very responsive and helpful."
"Brandsmiths are very transparent when supporting us on contentious IP issues. They are also great at sticking to the budgets set."
"Brandsmiths is a niche IP firm with a really good team of people. I like the speed of their responses and their very commercial approach."
"Brandsmiths are extremely knowledgeable and have good experience across the team. The lawyers are very responsive and helpful."
"Brandsmiths are very transparent when supporting us on contentious IP issues. They are also great at sticking to the budgets set."
Notable Practitioners
Michael Forrester is head of litigation at Brandsmiths in Manchester. He is recommended above all for contentious work involving trade marks, registered and unregistered designs and also software copyright. He has additional expertise in portfolio management and trade mark prosecution and opposition.
"Michael has a really good knowledge of the industry and understands the world we are in very well."