The Cambridge based team at Goodwin specialises in assisting clients with IPOs, financings, and patent strategies. The team recently assisted Engitix Therapeutics on a licence and collaboration agreement with Takeda Pharmaceuticals USA, Inc. Practice co-head Malcolm Bates specialises in the commercialisation of intellectual property rights, and co-head Tim Worden regularly advises life sciences companies on licensing and partnering deals, R&D and clinical trials agreements, and a broad spectrum of regulatory matters. Counsel Talitha Shkopiak focuses on commercial agreements, and associate Georgia Powell whose work encompasses early stage contractual disputes, are also pivotal to the practice.
Intellectual property in East Anglia
Goodwin
Practice head(s):
Malcolm Bates; Tim Worden
Other key lawyers:
Georgia Powell; Talitha Shkopiak
Key clients
Engitix Limited
SynAffix B.V.
Stalicla SA
CMR Surgical
Gadeta
Pheon Therapeutics
MiNA Therapeutics
Avacta
SpyBiotech
Tenpoint Therapeutics
Work highlights
- Advised Synaffix B.V. on a license agreement with Amgen Inc.
- Advised Engitix Limited on entering into an expanded licence and collaboration agreement with Takeda Pharmaceuticals.
- Advised Stalicla SA on its exclusive in-licensing agreement with Novartis.
Mills & Reeve LLP
Praised by clients for its 'keen business sense ', the Cambridge based group at Mills & Reeve LLP handles a broad range of issues for clients in the life sciences, automotive, and agriculture industries. Practice head Mark Pearce works from both the Leeds and Cambridge offices, regularly advising chemical and higher education clients on licensing issues. Head of life sciences James Fry and consultant Alasdair Poore, who specialises in the protection, exploitation, and enforcement of IP rights, are key contacts. Principal associates Richard Plaistowe and Nicola Hanglin ‘provide nuanced, commercially pragmatic advice‘ to both public and private sector clients on trademark filings and data protection.
Practice head(s):
Mark Pearce
Other key lawyers:
James Fry; Alastair Poore; Richard Plaistowe; Nicola Hanglin
Testimonials
‘It is an extremely collaborative environment. The team has a keen business sense and is always looking for the best options and path forward while keeping in mind the type and resources of that business. We are always kept up to date and informed on the latest developments.’
‘Richard Plaistowe is an exceptional attorney with a wealth of knowledge and experience. He is also a great communicator. Nicola Hanglin is likewise an excellent communicator and attorney. I always feel in the loop and up to speed on what is going on with my cases.’
‘M&R offers commercially pragmatic and cost effective advice. The communication is excellent and their responsiveness is beyond expectations.’
‘Richard Plaistowe and Nicola Hanglin are extremely knowledgeable and very willing to share their experience and knowledge with you. They provide nuanced, commercially pragmatic advice appropriate to the matter in issue, rather than taking a one-size fits all approach Richard, particularly impresses with his responsiveness.’
Key clients
AVEVA Group PLC
Breedon Holdings Limited and group companies
The British Council
The University of Cambridge
IELTS Australia Pty Limited
IELTS UK Services Limited
Casella Family Brands (Europe) Limited
Diurnal Group
Domino Printing Sciences Plc
F-star Therapeutics
First Light Lamps Limited
GlaxoSmithKline
MD Orthopaedics
Orderly Mind Limited
Parkdean Resorts UK
Peachaus Limited
PhoreMost
Smart Skincare Limited
The Binding Site
Work highlights
- Assisting The British Council, the University of Cambridge and IELTS Australia Pty Limited with portfolio management issues, acting in trade mark oppositions against applications for IELTS MEDICAL, and handling domain name complaints against domain names in the name of IELTS Medical Ltd.
- Advising F-star Therapeutics on its licence and collaboration agreement with Takeda, which grants licences to Takeda of F-star’s proprietary platform IP relating to the generation of bi-specific antibodies will facilitate research towards the development of a next generation immuno-oncology bispecific antibodies.
- Acting for MD Orthopaedics Inc in resolving a trade mark dispute, achieving withdrawal of a conflicting trade mark application, securing MDO’s valuable UK registration of Ponseti, and providing it with contractual rights against any future unauthorised use of this mark by the other party.
Mishcon de Reya LLP
Mishcon de Reya LLP in Cambridge advises a stellar roster of IP clients, including Fox News Network, Bridgestone Tyres and The Estate of Professor Stephen Hawking. Patrick Farrant leads the firm’s international technology group, and frequently assists clients with biotechnology and IP deals. Trade marks and brands expert Louisa Dixon, who leads the firm’s brand protection practice, and IP litigator Gareth Dickson ‘work meticulously and efficiently’. Managing associate Laura Aldridge ‘delivers wonderful service and work as a close-knit team’. Jo Eales departed for Stratagem IPM Ltd in July 2023.
Practice head(s):
Patrick Farrant
Other key lawyers:
Gareth Dickson; Louisa Dixon; Laura Aldridge
Testimonials
‘Taylor Vinters IP department is very reactive, efficient and easy working.’
‘Laura Aldridge, and Louisa Dixon, partner deliver wonderful IP services. They work as a close-knit team, the relation is very fluid. This is what distinguishes them from other firms.’
‘Louisa Dixon and Gareth Dickson and their teams work meticulously and efficiently, and at the same time are strategically focused and pragmatic.’
Key clients
The Estate of Professor Stephen Hawking
Fox News Network, LLC
Meridian Audio Limited
Go Ape!
Meaco Limited
Endomagnetics Limited
Secondmind Limited
Bridgestone Tyres
Maisons du Monde
Featurespace Limited
Paravir Limited
Sensorflow Limited
Vesynta Limited
Work highlights
- Acted for Featurespace on a multi-jurisdictional patent filing program.
- Acted for Meaco on an international design registration project.
Stobbs IP
Stobbs IP is a specialist brand management firm located in Cambridge, that services a stellar roster of clients, notably including Dr. Martens, Meta, Jack Daniels and Nike. The ‘innovative and dynamic’ team is noted for its expertise in bran valuation and anti-counterfeiting. Key practitioners include ‘fearless and innovative‘ principal Julius Stobbs; and Geoff Steward, whose ‘analysis, intellect, and client-handling skills are unmatched’, having vast experience in disputes concerning passing off, database rights, and trade marks. The ‘pragmatic, informed and authoritative’ Chris Sleep is noted for his expertise in enforcement strategies.
Practice head(s):
Julius Stobbs; Chris Sleep; Geoff Steward
Other key lawyers:
Charlotte Peach; Emma Dixon; Harriet Berridge; Claire Breheny
Testimonials
‘Stobbs are an innovative and dynamic firm at the forefront of branding disputes. They offer clients a bespoke service, without compromising on quality, which is first-rate.’
‘Chris Sleep is a fantastic solicitor, knows the law extremely well, has real commercial acumen and is also a fun and down to earth person to work with. Charlotte Peach is extremely bright and thinks comprehensively around issues. It is very reassuring to have her in your team.’
‘They are a young team of tip top litigators, led by Geoff Steward, whose analysis, intellect and client-handling skills are unmatched in the market. He is one of the IP world’s great team builders.’
Key clients
7-Eleven
AB InBev
AG Barr
Air Partner
All England Netball Association
All Saints
AOL
ASOS
Automobil Lamborghini SPA
Automobile Club de l’Ouest
Balfour Beatty
Barclays
Beiersdorf
Berry Bros
Big Potato Ltd
Big Wave Brands
British Toy & Hobby Association
Britvic
Brown Forman
Bullgard
BUPA
Camelphat
Cambridge University Press & Assessment
Cancer Research UK
Capri Sun GmbH
Channel 4
Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development
Chiaro Technology
Citco Converse
Clear Score Technology Limited
Combe International (Vagisil)
Conde Nast
Cumberland Corporate Services Limited (Tower Records)
Danone
District Financial Limited
DKNY
Dr. Martens
Dryrobe
Duke University
Ecolab
Energizer Holdings Inc.
England and Wales Cricket Board
Entain plc
Eton College
Faber & Faber
Facebook (Meta)
Federal Mogul
FIFA
Fine and Country
Five Mile Films
Foo Fighters / Dave Grohl
Ford Models
Ford Motor Co.
Fred Astaire (estate of)
Garrard & Company (jewellers)
Gene Simmons (KISS)
General Mill
Giesswein
GLD Group (Umbro)
Glencore
GoPro
Grandmaster Flash
Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH)
GVC Services Ltd
Harley Davidson USA Inc.
HK28 Ltd
Iglo Foods (Birdseye, Findus, etc)
Immersive Labs
Independent Talent
Informa Plc
Instant Brands LLC
Interface Inc
Jack Daniels
Jagex Limited
John Varvatos
Jude Bellingham
Jurgen Klopp
Just Eat
Kendall & Kylie Jenner
Leeds Bradford International Airport
Liverpool Football Club
Macmillan Publishers
Macmillan Publishers
Marks and Spencer
Mars Wrigley
Marshall
Marshall Amplification
MBG International
McDonalds
Meta (Facebook)
Meyer Bergman
Milton Lloyd Ltd
Monster Inc.
Moonbug Entertainment
Mothercare
Neuehouse & Fotografiska
Nike
Nirvana
O2
OBD Diagnostics
Off White (Virgil Abloh)
Olive and Orange Ltd
Orla Kiely
Ovo
Paramount Pictures
PepsiCo
Pharrell Williams
Philip Warren & Son
Pip & Nut
Popsockets
Prada
Premier Foods
Purple Bricks
PZ Cussons
Quintessentially Group
Raffles Hotels
Raspberry Pi Foundation
Reckitt
RLTV Media
Siemens AG
Skip the Dishes Restaurant
Slater & Gordon
Slater and Gordon (UK)
Snap Inc
Springer Nature
Stanley Black and Decker Inc.
StockX
Ted Baker
The Ridge (The Ridge Wallet)
The Ritz Hotel London
Tik Tok
Tommy Hilfiger Europe BV
Tottenham Hotspur FC
Treasury Wines Estates
Trek Bicycles
Tumblr
UEFA
University of Cambridge
Upfield
Visa
Webstorm Information Technology Private Limited (an Indian entity)
Wendy’s
Wickes
Wilmington Plc
Xaar
Yahoo
Yours Clothing
YouView
Work highlights
- Represented Marks and Spencer plc in its successful design infringement claim (IPEC) against Aldi Stores Limited. Aldi was held to have infringed M&S’ registered designs as the Aldi Gin Globes produced the same overall impression as the prior registered designs.
- Represented Combe International LLC and Combe International Limited (owners of VAGISIL brand) in an appeal to Court of Appeal brought by Dr August Wolff Gmbh & Co and Acdoco Limited in relation to High Court trade mark infringement claim relating to use of VAGISAN.
- Represented the Australian Council for Educational Research in its IPEC trade mark infringement and passing off claim against the operators of the AcerGAMSAT website, which sold unauthorised exam preparation materials for the GAMSAT medical entry test.
Birketts LLP
Predominantly based in Cambridge, Birketts LLP assists clients with all aspects of the life cycle of IP, regularly advising start-ups and large enterprises on commercialisation and infringement matters. Legal director Melanie Harvey in Ipswich leads the trade marks and branding side of the practice. Leading the contentious side of the practice, Maria Peyman focuses on disputes within the IPEC and the High Court, and Quentin Golder handles development agreements and IP joint ventures. Andrew Priest frequently advises software companies on both copyright and brand protection issues. Trade mark attorney Anousha Vasantha joined the team in January 2023.
Practice head(s):
Melanie Harvey; Maria Peyman; Quentin Golder
Other key lawyers:
Andrew Priest; Anousha Vasantha
Key clients
Greene King
Sophie Allport Limited
Nestbedz
Omega Ingredients Limited
The English Whisky Co. Ltd
Marks & Clerk
Praised by clients for its 'international experience and knowledge', the team at Marks & Clerk calls upon a wealth of expertise to advise clients in the technology and life sciences sectors. The group frequently assists clients with the filing and registration of rights, in addition to portfolio management and risk limitation issues. The ‘commercially very astute' Simon Portman leads the Cambridge based team, often advising SMEs and large international corporates.
Practice head(s):
Simon Portman
Testimonials
‘They are very professional and communication between each other and the client is excellent. International experience and knowledge in all aspects of intellectual property is available from one company. With full supporting commercial and company law. It provides a one stop practice.’
‘Simon Portman is extremely receptive from the start and is never phased by any requests. He provides very sound advice which changes my thinking in positive way. Commercially very astute. The advice given was very clear and uncomplicated.’
Key clients
Hockey 21
Kingston University
Swamp Motel
Addenbrooke’s Hospital
Babraham Research Institute
University of Cambridge
John Innes Centre
UCL
Mundipharma
Flexenable
Ultimovacs
Work highlights
- Advising a former England hockey player who is setting up an online, interactive hockey game called Hockey 21.
- Advised Kingston University, in conjunction with a corporate finance associate and a serial tech entrepreneur, in compiling a 130 page manual for use by the above personnel to supplement the firm’s patent filing and contract advice to the client, covering the following issues in depth.
- Advising Swamp Motel, a client that writes and supplies immersive, interactive thrillers in which the user solves crimes or completes quests in an imaginary world.
Fosters
Fosters in Norwich operates an 'In House' subscription service, led by partner Jamie Arnall, which provides a range of corporate and commercial services. IP services are a key part of this offering for clients in the sports sector and associate Charlotte Darkins is the main contact. Darkins' current workload includes advice on on cutting-edge cryptocurrency and NFT projects in the sports sector, having handled the management of Nottingham Forest Football Club Limited's trade mark portfolio.
Practice head(s):
Jamie Arnall
Other key lawyers:
Charlotte Darkins
Testimonials
‘We are fortunate to be able to call upon an extremely knowledgeable team at Fosters, who handle every interaction in detail and expediently. They regularly go over and above in terms of what could reasonably be expected both in terms of their advice/guidance but also in achieving any urgent timescales as necessary – often working outside of normal hours to do so. We receive incredible value for money via their ‘In house retainer’ service.’
‘We are fortunate to work closely with Jamie Arnall and Charlotte Darkins, who look after us amazingly well but the entire team at Fosters treat every interaction as though you are their most important client. We have worked with various legal advisors over the years but consider the team at Fosters as an integral part of our future ambitious plans.’
Key clients
Nottingham Forest Football Club Limited
Bistrot Pierre 1994 Limited
The Basketball League Limited
Work highlights
- Advised Bistrot Pierre 1994 Limited on the cease and removal of offending branding by a competitor eatery in Warsaw, Poland, utilising our client’s intellectual property and registered trademarks as its own.
- Advised Nottingham Forest Football Club Limited on the expansion of its current trademark portfolio within the UK together with advice on expanding such portfolio globally.
Greenwoods Legal
Greenwoods Legal handles both non-contentious and contentious IP matters, particularly within the context of magazine and online publishing, though the group increasingly assists clients in the manufacturing sector. In Peterborough, Jamie McConnell leads the technology practice and handles IP rights claims alongside a broad portfolio of commercial disputes. McConnell's work includes disputes relating to UK and CTM trademarks, copyright, passing off and domain names.
Practice head(s):
Jamie McConnell
Tees Law
Tees Law in Cambridge has a niche IP practice focused on the sport, media, education, and cultural sectors. ‘I was very impressed with his knowledge and he was very clear and thorough at explaining how trade marks work‘, says a client of senior associate and practice head Alastair Cotton, whose previous experience at the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) gives him extensive experience in IP matters. He remains an adviser to the IPC on managing the Paralympic brand and combating ambush marketing.
Practice head(s):
Alastair Cotton
Testimonials
‘I used this practice for a commercial property lease – and mentioned I would be interested in trademarking my business – the solicitor I dealt with recommended someone to me who dealt with IP and they contacted me directly – I was very impressed with how well the two departments liaised the information with each other.’
‘ I was very impressed with Alastair Cotton’s knowledge, he was very clear and thorough at explaining how the trade mark worked and the different categories to register. He was very polite and friendly and always answered my questions in a timely fashion. The whole process was made very easy by him, and he’s been very helpful in the follow up too.’
‘Alastair and Beth are extremely knowledgeable.’
Key clients
International Paralympic Committee
Cambridgeshire Royal Portrait Art Fund / Lord-Lieutenant of Cambridgeshire / Cambridgeshire Community Foundation
Real Like You (pop band)
George Collier Media Limited
Athletic Club (t/a Ultra Flex Gyms)
National Council for the Training of Journalists
Granite5
Cuttsy+Cuttsy
Wharton Business Consulting
Work highlights
- Advising the International Paralympic Committee in relation to a number of intellectual property issues, including an image rights claim and a trade mark and copyright claim. The firm also advised the IPC on its brand protection strategy for the Beijing 2022 Paralympic Winter Games and assisted in executing that strategy.
- Advised the Cambridgeshire Royal Portrait Fund (held by the Cambridgeshire Community Foundation), a consortium led by the Lord-Lieutenant of Cambridgeshire on the commissioning of the first official joint portrait of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. The firm advised on the IP rights arising from the commissioning of and loan arrangements for the portrait which now hangs (on loan) in the Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge.
- Advised The Athletic Club on the expansion of its business and the achievement of its aim to open more gyms and fitness centres across the UK. The firm assisted the client with identifying the key risks, how best to manage those, and the right model for fulfilling its expansion plans through protecting and exploitation of its IP rights.