Protecting a brand is all about coordination. From searches to litigation every single action needs to be in line with your business strategy. That is why Bird & Bird offers the full range of legal services relating to your trade marks and designs in our 23 offices and beyond.
We are universally well known for the high quality of our work across all of our international offices; meaning we have the experience to deal with the range of legal issues that may impact brand strategy.
Our team can advise at every step of a brand’s evolution, from initial concept through to becoming a global brand; providing a one stop shop for all legal requirements including the clearance, prosecution, enforcement and exploitation of trade marks and designs.
It’s this full service approach and our unique competence in litigating and enforcing brands that sets us apart. Our work sees us regularly appear before the specialist courts; OHIM, the CFI and ECJ and we work closely with customs officials across the globe, to prevent cross border trade in counterfeit goods.
Whatever the issue, we understand the wider strategic picture. It’s our creative way of thinking that allows us to spot opportunities many others would miss.
Heads of Group: Christian Harmsen in Düsseldorf and Morag Macdonald in London.
Recent highlights of work
● We are acting for Nestlé in various trade mark infringement matters and appeals from registry challenges, including representing them before the ECJ in the Have a Break case.
● We are advising the large US company Amway on a regular basis in relation to trade mark and unfair competition law. This work has included advice in regards to the clearance of their advertising material.
● We manage the trade mark portfolio of Europe’s oldest luxury hotel group Kempinski Hotel Group in China. This work includes advising the client on brand protection in their cooperation with PRC entities and assisting in an IP audit in relation to the registration and use of its trade mark rights in China.
● We acted for Reckitt & Coleman in the first appeal level decision in the EU in respect of registered Community Design law.
Latest accolades
"It was crucial to our re-branding project that we had lawyers with the expertise and experience of a major corporate re-branding. Our confidence in Bird & Bird was key to ensuring that we could deliver the project for the business, on time, and with all of the appropriate risks understood and all of the possible protection in place".
James Blendis, General Counsel, EE
''In addition to providing the full scope of IP advice, the firm also offers an international brand management service as a means of providing a cradle-to-grave IP service on the trade mark and design front''.
Chambers Europe 2012
''Sources say: 'Their level of service is excellent; they are proactive and able to think commercially, not just from a legal point of view. They have a stable of clients I am envious of and wouldn't mind having myself'''.
Asia Pacific Chambers 2012
''Clients are happy to report that 'the team ticks every box in terms of service - brilliant lateral thinking, responsiveness and judgement'''.
Chambers Europe 2012
Related Pages
> Intellectual property
> Copyright
> Media
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> Sport
> Food & Beverages
> Communications
> Dispute resolution