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

Nellie Jackson

Contact

Ian Gruselle

Contact

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.

Latest articles

What others say

“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

“Bristows has really good practitioners of patent litigation and trade mark work.”

Chambers and Partners 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

“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

“Built on relationships and expertise gained over decades working at the cutting edge of brands and technology, the team excels where others falter.”

Legal 500 2022

“The team is well versed in advising on high-stakes complex matters, often involving global trade mark portfolios and a high number of opposition and cancellation proceedings.”

Legal 500 2022

“The key strengths of the team are the individuals that comprise it.”

Legal 500 2022

“They are a superb and highly talented intellectual property team: highly knowledgeable, innovative and skilled.”

Legal 500 2022

Recent rankings and awards

Outstanding

Top Law Firm

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

Intellectual Property - Band 1

Intellectual Property: Trade Marks, Copyright and Design - Tier 1

PATMA: Trade Mark Attorneys - Tier 2

Trade Mark Disputes - Tier 1

Trade Mark Prosecution - Tier 1

IP: Law Firms with Patent & Trade Mark Attorneys - Band 1

Media & Entertainment: Advertising & Marketing - Band 3

Media & Entertainment - Tier 3

Intellectual Property - Band 1

Trade Mark Prosecution - Tier 1

Copyright - Tier 1

Trade Mark Contentious - Tier 1

Gold

Brand Management - Tier 1

Trademark Litigation

Trademark Prosecution

Advertising & Marketing