Trade mark & design portfolio management

Bristows has a long established portfolio management practice, fully integrated with the firm’s leading IP litigation practice, in order to provide a “one-stop shop” on all aspects of brand development, protection, exploitation and enforcement.

We have a wealth of experience in handling and managing worldwide IP portfolios, conducting clearance programmes, advising in relation to contentious registry proceedings and conducting settlement discussions to resolve disputes.

We handle brands throughout their entire lifecycle, from the point of inception to protection, enforcement, monitoring, ownership changes, renewal and maintenance.

We have represented clients in all forums, ranging from opposition proceedings before the UK Intellectual Property Office and the European Intellectual Property Office, through to litigation in the higher courts (up to and including the European Court of Justice in Luxembourg).

Multi-jurisdictional brand management

Our brands group manages worldwide trade mark and design portfolios, together with its international network of leading brands lawyers.

Our dedicated brands management team handles all aspects of trade marks and design portfolio management including clearance searches, prosecution and registration, opposition proceedings and general portfolio management. We manage UK, EU and global trade mark and design portfolios for a wide range of clients. We provide comprehensive, market relevant advice on the management of IP rights and provide strategic advice to maximise and protect our clients’ IP rights.

As well as managing entire portfolios, we also assist many of our clients who have their own dedicated in-house IP teams during times of peak demand, with advice on freedom to operate and complex contentious matters. We also routinely provide second opinions on a range of trade mark and design issues – this is particularly the case when matters become contentious. Further, in the event of litigation, we have unparalleled skills and reputation to represent clients in any litigation forum from the High Court to the CJEU.

Our clients range from multinational household names to small start-ups and they seek our advice and assistance on protecting and extracting value from their most valuable assets – their brands, their reputation, their inventions, ideas and designs.

Key contacts

Meet the team

Latest insights

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Publications

Review of UK & European Trade Mark Cases

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Designs & Copyright Review of the Year

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Experience

We manage the worldwide trade mark portfolio of the Financial Times, conducting clearance searches for new brands, filing applications to expand the protection of the iconic FT and FINANCIAL TIMES brands around the world and to assist in the protection of new brands and products.

We manage the worldwide trade mark portfolio of Rocco Forte, registering the core brands such as the ROCCO FORTE name and the RF logo around the world, but also assisting in the protection of individual hotel names. We also represent the client in trade mark disputes including trade mark opposition proceedings.

Inquisitive Minds: Trademark, & design portfolio management insights

What others say

“Excellent insights from partner level down and very capable associates who together provided excellent team results.”

Legal 500 2027

“Proactive and highly practical commercial litigation advice – cutting through technicalities to provide a clear assessment of risk and a course of action. Takes time to understand the industry sector and tailors its advice to those dynamics.”

Legal 500 2027

“Practical, efficient, user-friendly, with incredible depth and breadth of knowledge and sterling quality lawyers.”

Legal 500 2027

“We have used Bristows for sensitive matters involving strict information control and the protection of confidential sources. They handle high-pressure, reputation-critical issues with a steady hand, and I feel completely confident having them in our corner for complex public disputes.”

Legal 500 2027

“The team’s advice is always on-target, practical, and usable. They have a breadth of experience in advertising and a deep understanding of motion picture marketing. I particularly appreciate their willingness to provide risk-based advice.”

Legal 500 2027

“The firm has strength in depth. At every level from trainee to partner, the lawyers are hardworking, very efficient, strategically astute, and very knowledgeable about the law.”

Legal 500 2027

“This practice sets itself apart from others by its capabilities in time-critical mobilization, strategic value, and attorney-client management advisory. The team demonstrates significant strength in collaboration, both internally in cross-team interaction and also between the firm and client…”

Legal 500 2027

“I have worked very closely with the Contracts Team and Bristows this year. They are very skilled and they have taken the time to understand our organization and our needs. They have worked with us to upskill our staff to develop better client briefs and their approach is very collaborative.”

Legal 500 2027

“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

Recent rankings and awards

PATMA: trade mark attorneys - Tier 2

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

Intellectual Property – Band 1 (UK)

Intellectual Property - Band 1

Intellectual Property: Patent Litigation - Band 1

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

PATMA: Trade Mark Attorneys - Tier 2

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

Intellectual Property: Patent Litigation (UK) - Band 1

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

Outstanding

Gold - Enforcement and litigation

Gold - Prosecution and strategy

Commended for Intellectual Property

Trade Mark Disputes - Tier 1

Trade Mark Prosecution - Tier 1

Copyright - Tier 1

Key contacts

Nellie Jackson headshot
Nellie Jackson
Partner – Trade mark, designs & copyright
Jeremy Blum
Jeremy Blum
Partner, Co-Head of IP Litigation
Simon Clark's headshot
Simon Clark
Partner – Trade mark, designs & copyright
Ian Gruselle headshot
Ian Gruselle
Partner – Trade mark, designs & copyright
Paul Jordan
Paul Jordan
Partner – Trade mark, designs & copyright