Three New Square Intellectual Property

This set specialises in all aspects of intellectual property, including patents, trade marks, passing off, copyright and designs. Other areas of expertise include breach of confidence, malicious falsehood, franchising and restrictive covenants.

The set: Chambers has focused on intellectual property litigation for more than 60 years and its 20 tenants, including six KCs, are all leading practitioners in this area. The set was located at 6 Pump Court, Temple, until April 1995. Former members of chambers include Birss LJ.

All members appear frequently in the High Court, Intellectual Property Enterprise Court (formerly Patents County Court) and Appellate Courts. They also engage in arbitration work, both as advocates and arbitrators, and in hearings before the UK Intellectual Property Office, the European Patent Office in Munich and The Hague.

Members of chambers receive instructions from solicitors, patent and trade mark attorneys, in-house lawyers and lawyers practicing overseas.

The majority of members are scientifically literate a useful background for the many disputes handled that involve technical subject matter. Members of chambers also contribute to Terrell on the Law of Patents, the leading textbook in patent law.

Types of work undertaken: Patent disputes form a large proportion of chambers work, mainly involving infringement or revocation proceedings. Much of the work is leading edge, embracing all major areas of technology including biotechnology, pharmacology, chemistry, mobile telephones, electronics, information technology and mechanical patents.

All members are involved in trade mark and passing off litigation, mainly in the High Court, but also in the Intellectual Property Enterprise Court, which hears trade mark matters as part of its special jurisdiction. Members also appear before the UK IPO in opposition and revocation proceedings relating to UK registered trade marks.

All areas of copyright and design right law are handled. Cases include literary, musical and artistic copyright in the fields of fashion, music, entertainment and literature. Computer software cases are also undertaken. Design right law includes both registered and unregistered designs, whether under community or national law.

Members also practice in the areas of breach of confidence, malicious falsehood, entertainment and media, restrictive covenants, franchising and the licensing of all intellectual property rights.