Marks & Clerk has a core focus on managing the international trade mark portfolios of clients from the creative and entertainment, fashion and retail, financial services, and food and drink industries. This offering encompasses filings, advice on brand protection, and representation in opposition and enforcement proceedings before the UKIPO and EPO. Birmingham-based Esther Gottschalk heads up the UK and EU trade mark practice, and she has expertise in assisting US corporates with the management of their global portfolios. Also in Birmingham, French and Spanish-speaking John Ferdinand boasts expertise in the protection of non-traditional trade marks, for example shape marks, as well as international disputes. In London, dual-qualified solicitor and trade mark attorney Michael Barrett has experience in appeals before the Appointed Person.
Key clients
- Butcher’s Pet Care Limited
- Grafton International Limited
- Hill & Smith Holdings plc
- Panda Life
- Patchworx
- Next Holdings Limited
- Kee Safety Limited
- Lothian Buses
- Bridgestone
- Albert Bartlett & Sons (Airdrie) Limited
- Scottish Football Association
- Lounge Underwear Limited
- Trespass
Work highlights
- Advising Patchworx on protection of a hand gesture as a trade mark through devising an innovative filing strategy.
- Acted for Grafton International in its new launches, prosecuting the difficult marks and advising it on its necessary protection and enforcement issues.
- Acted for Butcher’s Pet Care in devising a strategy to ensure and safeguard protection for a planned re-brand of products in the EU to align with branding strategy in the UK.
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Esther Gottschalk