CMS

Partner

Ben Hitchens is a London-based Partner and intellectual property disputes lawyer. He works with a wide variety of tech clients, advising on the opportunities and risks arising from the integration of complex technologies, such as AI, blockchain and digital twins, particularly within the context of IP and international regulation. Ben has been at the forefront of navigating the thorny issues concerning copyright ownership, infringement and regulation within the field of generative AI, digital assets and virtual worlds and speaks regularly on the topic at conferences, roundtables and client events. Ben is also a member of the IP Federation, which represents the views of UK industry in intellectual property rights, policy and practice matters. Ben sits on the Copyright and Designs Committee and has been involved in many of the policy discussions relevant to the emergence of generative AI, including the UK’s proposed extension of the text and data mining defence and the continued protection of computer generated works under the UK’s copyright regime. As of 1 January 2024, Ben has been appointed to INTA’s International Amicus Committee, where he hopes to continue to contribute to the development of law and policy.

Ben’s practice covers all aspects of intellectual property law, with a particular focus on trade mark, copyright and design strategy and disputes. He is experienced in managing multi-jurisdictional IP disputes on behalf of some of the world’s best-known brands and has counselled clients in actions before the English High Court and Court of Appeal, as well as the Court of Justice of the European Union.

Ben is listed as a ‘key lawyer’ in the IP category of The Legal 500 and in 2022 and 2023 was listed as one of WIPR’s ‘Trademark Leaders’. In 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023, he was recognised in World Trademark Review’s WTR 1000 for enforcement and litigation, which describes him as “unflappable”, “pragmatic, concise and commercial” and an “outstanding lawyer and IP specialist” who is “extraordinarily talented and if he’s not already a superstar, he’s going to be one”.

Ben is a trustee of the Rafiki Thabo Foundation, a charity which supports students in Kenya, Uganda and Lesotho through secondary and tertiary education.  Ben is also a guest lecturer on the University of Chicago Booth School of Business’ Executive MBA program.

IP Federation – Copyright and Designs Committee CITMA Competition Law Association Copyright Society of the USA Society for Computers and Law INTA – International Amicus Committee

2011 - LL.M Intellectual Property with distinction, King’s College London, London. 2007 - LL.B First Class, College of Law, London. 2003 - BA (Hons) 2:1, University of York, York.