Marks & Clerk

Marks & Clerk LLP is a market-leading firm focused on its clients, with an active interest in the development of the IP profession both in the UK and worldwide.

The firm: Marks & Clerk LLP was founded in 1887 by George Croydon Marks, who was joined in partnership by Dugald Clerk a year later. It is now the largest patent and trade mark attorney firm in the UK. Marks & Clerk International has 17 PATMA offices in the UK, North America, continental Europe, and Asia; associated firm Marks & Clerk Law LLP was founded in 2003.

Our patent and trade mark attorneys focus on patent and trade mark prosecution, IP strategy and all IP aspects of due diligence, and its clients range from start-ups to multinational companies or universities, and include Weatherford International (patents), Statoil (patents), Mondelez International (patents) and Next (trade marks). Overseas IP firms also refer work from their local clients.

At Marks & Clerk, we are committed to training excellence in both our IP professional staff and support staff, supporting them with compulsory and voluntary continued professional development. We have also founded a training academy for new graduates and works closely with the Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys and the Institute of Trade Mark Attorneys. We strive to maintain exceptionally high standards and are proud to have held ISO 9001 certification with a clean sheet since 2010.

Types of work undertaken
Patents: Our patent attorneys around the world are experts in securing the most effective patent protection for their clients, regardless of their size or industry.

Trade marks: Our experienced and international trade mark team advises clients, from SMEs to large multinationals, across all industries.  We have developed a trade mark resale facility to assist clients realise the hidden financial potential of unwanted assets.

Copyright: Our network of patent and trade mark attorneys and lawyers provides a uniquely international approach to copyright matters. Working in all areas of copyright we help clients maximise their protection and exploitation of copyright and defend against infringement claims.

Designs: Our experienced patent and trade mark attorneys offer insight into how design rights work best as part of an IP protection strategy. We obtains design protection for clients around the world.

Domain names: Marks & Clerk can search for available domain names; register domain names; handle ADR procedures with ICANN; handle proceedings within the UK courts for trade mark infringement and passing-off; advise on domain name portfolio management; and register trade mark details with the Trademark Clearinghouse.

Due diligence: Our IP professionals advise on the IP aspects of corporate deals. We handle the acquisition and disposal of companies or businesses/assets, including vendor, investor and acquisition due diligence.

Asia Pacific IP protection: Through one central access point, [email protected] the firm offers patent, trade mark, utility model and design protection across a number of jurisdictions.

Oppositions at the EPO: Our patent attorneys have years of experience advising on and representing clients in opposition proceedings and appeals before the EPO.

Offices: Aberdeen, Birmingham, Cambridge, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Manchester, London, Oxford