We regularly advise some of the world’s largest pharmaceutical and life sciences companies on the protection of what is one of their most valuable assets, their brands, as well as on developing copyright and database rights issues relating to the protection and exploitation of valuable data.

We are regularly asked by our life science clients to advise on the protection and enforcement of their brands. Our recent experience includes High Court litigation and trade mark registry proceedings, as well as advising on the settlement of licensing disputes and on parallel imports. Our team is uniquely placed in this area given the huge wealth of life science experience across Bristows, and we regularly work with our Regulatory, Competition and Commercial IP colleagues.

The ease at which data can be “scraped” from websites and exploited by third parties continues to be a challenge for data owners, but also an opportunity to develop potentially life-saving products from the innovative use of data. We are regularly advising on this rapidly developing area of law.

Key contact

Jeremy Blum

Contact

Ian Gruselle

Contact

Paul Jordan

Contact

Experience

Defending passing off proceedings brought by GSK against Sandoz and its co-defendant Vectura. We represented Vectura in the UK proceedings and advised it on a global settlement of related disputes.

Advising Novartis in UKIPO cancellation proceedings in relation to a trade mark registered by Biogen for the word BYOOVIZ.

Advising numerous pharmaceutical and medical device companies and publishers of scientific journals on copyright and database right issues involved in “scraping” data from websites.

Advising various clients on parallel import issues, both before and after the changes to the law as a result of Brexit.

Managing the global (ex-US) trade mark portfolio of the world's largest manufacturer of professional dental products, Dentsply Sirona, as well as taking effective enforcement action to protect the sales of counterfeits in numerous countries.

Providing PolarSeal, a market leader in medical device manufacturing, with strategic advice around the protection, exploitation and enforcement of its trade marks on a worldwide basis.

Latest articles

What others say

“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

“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

Recent rankings and awards

Media & Entertainment: Advertising & Marketing - Band 3
Chambers and Partners UK 2023

Intellectual Property - Band 1
Chambers and Partners UK 2023

Intellectual Property: Trade Marks, Copyright and Design - Tier 1
Legal 500 2023