Patrick joined Bird & Bird in 2011 and is a solicitor in the Intellectual Property group in London. He trained at a City law firm and qualified into its intellectual property and media team in 2007. Before joining Bird & Bird, Patrick worked in the litigation department of the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry, the trade body of the recording industry, where he supported the music industry’s anti-piracy work.

Experienced in all areas of intellectual property law, most notably copyright, trade marks, passing off and the law of confidence, Patrick also advises clients in relation to advertising, including in relation to pre-launch compliance with advertising regulations, as well as representing clients who are the subject of ASA complaints. Patrick recently acted for the Defendant in comparative advertising proceedings and his practice is focused on contentious matters.

Patrick has particular experience of advising clients in the media industry and has specialist experience of representing clients in the Copyright Tribunal, including PRS for Music and a large consortium of music providers and household name retailers in the recent unique background music reference concerning public performance royalties for background music in shops, stores, pubs and restaurants. 

Patrick is particularly interested in the online exploitation and protection of rights and is currently representing the press cuttings industry in a Copyright Tribunal dispute involving Meltwater and the Newspaper Licensing Agency, which will set the model for the licensing of online news content.

In addition to his intellectual property practice, Patrick regularly advises clients on reputation management, providing defamation and privacy advice in relation to the print and broadcast media to individuals and corporate entities. His print experience includes providing pre-publication advice to clients who receive notification that they are to be featured in the press. Patrick’s post publication experience includes representing clients in making complaints to the Press Complaints Commission. His broadcast experience includes representing clients who have been the subject of BBC and ITV undercover investigations, including providing extensive pre and post-broadcast advice to a client who was featured on the BBC’s Watchdog programme.

Patrick is listed as an Associate to Watch in the 2010 and 2011 editions of Chambers and Partners and contributes to the Oxford University Press Journal of Intellectual Property Law and Practice.