Intellectual Property Disputes
We assist with the full range of intellectual property disputes. This includes advice, and actions such as deploying teams to raid alleged IP infringers or making claims at various tribunals.

Our Intellectual Property Disputes team works closely with our media and technology teams to serve clients in many sectors, particularly sport, food and drink, energy, entertainment, financial services, and life sciences.

Our expertise covers all aspects of intellectual property disputes:

Trademarks
Copyrights
Designs
Patents
Database rights
Search and seize orders
Deploying teams to multiple locations to raid alleged IP infringers
Online IP protection
International intellectual property disputes
Claims before Nominet, the World Intellectual Property Organization and other tribunals

Meet our key contacts

John MacKenzie

Partner and Head of Commercial Disputes

Meet our full team

Carly Duckett

Senior Solicitor

View Profile

Ruairidh Leishman

Associate

View Profile

John MacKenzie

Partner and Head of Commercial Disputes

View Profile

Matt Phillip

Partner

View Profile

Philip Sewell

Partner

View Profile

Related articles and insights: Intellectual Property Disputes

17 February 2025

The cloudy world of “lookalike” products: Thatchers succeed in appeal against Aldi

Contributor: Ruairidh Leishman

In Thatchers Cider Company Limited v Aldi Stores Limited, Thatchers were successful in their appeal, finding that Aldi’s product had infringed Thatchers’ trade mark. This decision may alter the legal landscape for future challenges to “lookalike” products.

15 November 2024

“Copycat” brands – how close is too close?

Contributor: John MacKenzie

What is a "copycat" brand, and how can you avoid trade mark infringement and passing off?

31 July 2024

The Court of Appeal’s decision on the patentability of computer-implemented AI inventions.

Contributor: Ruairidh Leishman

The Court of Appeal has determined that a computer-implemented AI invention fell within the “computer program” exclusion from patentable subject matter because the invention did not make a “technical contribution”.

6 June 2024

Taylor’s Version – Why is Taylor Swift re-recording all of her old albums?

Contributor: Carly Duckett

Following her departure from Big Machine Records in 2018, Taylor Swift wanted to buy back the copyright in the master recordings of her albums. Ultimately, Swift instead re-recorded “Taylor’s Version” of those albums. Carly Duckett explains why, and how, Swift did it.

17 May 2024

Colin v Cuthbert was only the be-gin-ning – The registered design “grace period” considered in Marks and Spencer PLC v Aldi Stores Limited

Contributor: Ruairidh Leishman

In Marks and Spencer PLC v Aldi Stores Limited, the Court of Appeal considered whether Aldi had infringed the registered designs of M&S gin-based liqueur bottles and reviewed the role of the “test period” allowed to designers.

8 May 2024

An un-clouded judgment – UK trademark infringement and passing off considered in Thatchers Cider Company Limited v Aldi Stores Limited

Contributor: Ruairidh Leishman

In Thatchers Cider Company Limited v Aldi Stores Limited, the High Court assessed whether Aldi’s cider had infringed Thatcher’s trademark and amounted to passing off, while considering the scope provided to “benchmarking” in product development.

Contact us