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Our lawyers have extensive experience in protecting brands, design rights, copyrights, databases, domain names and related rights. As experienced intellectual property solicitors, we work closely with clients across a range of industry sectors including consumer products, fashion, finance, hotels and leisure, technology, video games, entertainment, media and pharmaceuticals.

Acting for leading UK and global brands, our team advises on everything from trade mark infringement and passing off claims through to software copyright, design protection and enforcement and online infringements. Our team also handles complex trade mark disputes, trade mark litigation, and copyright disputes. We also deal with the increasingly complex areas of database management and digital rights management. As a result of the global nature of IP rights and disputes, we have built up an impressive team of international intellectual property lawyers and regularly take the lead role in cases across multiple jurisdictions.

We have represented clients in all forums, ranging from trade mark opposition proceedings before the UK Intellectual Property Office and EUIPO through to litigation in the Intellectual Property Enterprise Court, the High Court, the Court of Appeal, the Supreme Court and the EU Court of Justice in Luxembourg, as well as before the Copyright Tribunal. One of our partners acts as an Appointed Person, hearing trade mark appeals from the UK Intellectual Property Office.

Complementing this deep understanding of the UK and European courts, we recognise the importance of alternative dispute resolution methods. In addition to handling mediation and arbitration proceedings, our lawyers routinely advise clients in relation to complaints made to the Advertising Standards Authority and other industry-specific regulatory bodies. Our team includes a large number of lawyers with specialist knowledge of advertising regulation in a number of key client sectors.

Recent rankings and awards

Intellectual Property – Band 1 (UK)

Intellectual property: trade marks, copyright and design – Tier 1

Trade Mark Disputes - Tier 1

Outstanding

Commended for Intellectual Property

Gold - Enforcement and litigation

Intellectual Property: Law Firms with Patent & Trade Mark Attorneys - Spotlight

Gold - Prosecution and strategy

PATMA: Trade Mark Attorneys – Tier 2

Intellectual Property: Law Firms With Patent & Trade Mark Attorneys - Spotlight

Trade Mark Prosecution - Tier 1

Experience

Passing Off – Delvaux v Longchamp

Acting for the luxury leather goods company, Delvaux, the inventor of the modern handbag and a Maison within the Richemont group, in relation to a passing off claim against Longchamp in the Intellectual Property Enterprise Court.

Trade mark Litigation – Match Group v Muzmatch Limited

Representing an online dating client in Match Group v Muzmatch Limited in the High Court and Court of Appeal in the now-leading case on the honest concurrent use defence to trade mark infringement.

Copyright and database rights litigation

Advising one of the UK’s leading database providers in the educational field in litigation regarding copyright, database rights and related competition law aspects.

Trade mark litigation and online platform liability – Samsung app store case

Acting as co-counsel for Samsung in the Court of Appeal regarding the scope of the e-Commerce Defence for an app store as an online platform and the subsequent damages enquiry.

Copyright Litigation – Video game litigation

Acting for a video game company in High Court proceedings for copyright infringement regarding a video game which included novel claims regarding copyright in gameplay and other aspects not yet recognised under UK law.

Trade mark and copyright litigation – Pan-European ITV matter

Advising ITV regarding coordination and strategy of a pan-European dispute regarding trade marks and copyright in a gameshow.

Passing off litigation – GSK v Sandoz and Vectura

Representing Vectura in GSK v Sandoz and Vectura regarding a passing off trial in the High Court regarding the colour and shape of an asthma inhaler.

Trade mark litigation – Cadbury (Mondelez) KitKat shape case

Representing Cadbury (Mondelez) before the Court of Justice of the European Union in the dispute about the registrability as a trade mark of the shape of the KitKat chocolate bar.

Design rights litigation – Neptune v DeVol Kitchens

Representing DeVol Kitchens in the important design rights case Neptune v DeVol Kitchens, regarding unregistered and registered design rights in furniture.

Inquisitive Minds: Trademark, design & copyright insights

Podcast: Bristows - Cease & Discuss

What others say

“They have an excellent depth of knowledge and experience in both the law and the MedTech industry. They are always responsive and attentive.”

Chambers and Partners UK 2026

“The team’s unique strength lies not only in its collective expertise across the media space but also in the collaborative spirit that ensures clients benefit from the full breadth of the firm’s knowledge and resources.”

Legal 500 2026

“Bristows’ film and TV practice distinguishes itself through a blend of deep sector knowledge, a truly client-centric approach, and a reputation for consistently delivering innovative solutions to complex legal issues.”

Legal 500 2026

“Bristows has a talented group of lawyers who clearly know their stuff. All advice is very commercial and practical. It is a particularly friendly team that are easy to work with – this really stands out from other firms I’ve worked with.”

Legal 500 2026

“They provide such an outstanding service that we send all our clients’ EU/UK TM work to them. They have a great network of EU advisers which, where necessary, they are able to refer us to.”

Legal 500 2026

“The team are well-versed in UK/EU trade mark which ensures they are able to provide clear, strategic advice on difficult issues we instruct them to consider as well as timely and accurate day-to-day trade mark prosecution services.”

Legal 500 2026

“Bristows are extremely responsive, professional, and thorough while also being pragmatic in how they advise a small organisation with limited capacity and capability. Their advice is always clear and specific to the problem we’re tackling.”

Legal 500 2026

“They are extremely knowledgeable about the nuances of the changing media and technology landscape.”

Legal 500 2026

“Paul Jordan, Jeremy Blum and Nellie Jackson are all excellent – bright, creative and good on the details. We trust them with our most delicate matters.”

Legal 500 2026

“Has an excellent reputation as one of the leading IP firms in the UK. Excellent across the board knowledge and experience. Can marshal a large team quickly.”

Legal 500 2026

“We have worked with Jeremy Blum and his team for a number of years on a variety of IP disputes, and they are a pleasure to work with. They take the time to understand our businesses and what we are trying to achieve, and combine sophisticated IP knowledge with a great deal of commerciality and common sense. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend them to others.”

Legal 500 2026

“Easy-going and approachable team to work with. We feel comfortable trusting them on our matters and leaning on them for advice and recommendations on brand protection.”

Legal 500 2025

“You can always trust on a short response time. All results are always provided ahead of deadlines so time pressure is avoided.”

Legal 500 2025

“The team are all very approachable and advise in a very human and accessible manner.”

Legal 500 2025

“A strong and responsive trade mark team.”

Legal 500 2025

“The team offers very pragmatic advice and is extremely quick to respond. They have great experiencing in analysing adverts and identifying potential issues.”

Legal 500 2025

“The team is simply amazing, their knowledge is of course exceptional. What really sets this team apart is their ability to give succinct commercial advice and apply it to the industry the client operates in. This is something very rare and not always an experience we have with other law firms we work with. The responsiveness and quality of work they deliver is unparalleled. We use this team exclusively.”

Legal 500 2025

“Bristows is a class act when it comes to all areas of intellectual property. Its team bring a broad range of experience and are always on hand to answer questions; they are very responsive and highly skilled.”

WTR 1000 2024

“Bristows has a widely experienced team providing support to their clients on complex matters. Their ability to provide support on sophisticated matters is exquisite.”

Chambers and Partners 2024

“They are knowledgeable and up to date with the fast-changing laws related to social media and the various platforms, and able to appropriately and adeptly guide clients in this industry.”

Chambers and Partners 2024

“They run their cases like a boutique firm, but with the resources and strategic thinking of a larger firm. Their approach is continuously mindful of the specific needs of the case.”

Legal 500 2024

“They’re very commercial and good at dealing with clients.”

Chambers and Partners 2023

“Excellent knowledge of trade mark law and how that applies to practical commercial situations.”

Legal 500 2023

“The team has demonstrable capability across a range of sectors, including the publishing, food and beverage, health, hospitality, fashion and retail industries.”

Legal 500 2023

“Well-placed to leverage the firm’s international footprint when acting in multi-jurisdictional disputes.”

Legal 500 2023

“Bristows LLP’s fully integrated team of attorneys and solicitors handles the full range of trade mark mandates, from brand creation with clearance searches to brand protection and global portfolio management, as well as opposition proceedings before the UKIPO and cancellation actions.”

Legal 500 2023

“With their wealth of experience, most questions can be handled with a quick call.”

Legal 500 2023

“I value the practical nature of the advice the team gives.”

Legal 500 2023

“The media and entertainment team at Bristows combines the best of in-depth practice area knowledge with pragmatic, client-focused advice. They are a fantastic extension of our in-house legal team, and whenever I reach out to them, it always makes life easier.”

Legal 500 2023

“A renowned expert on issues arising around advertising and brand protection.”

Legal 500 2023

Key contacts