Trade Mark group
Trade Mark Group
Our Trade Mark group is highly experienced and is consistently ranked in the top ten UK firms for UK and European trade mark filings. We provide specialist advice and support to brand owners operating in a variety of industry sectors in the UK and internationally.
Our experience
Our team is privileged to represent many large corporates and multi-national companies as well as small and medium-sized businesses and start-ups.
Our clients in the UK cover sectors such as luxury fashion retail, insurance, jewellery, luxury leather goods, finance and defence.
Internationally, we work directly with a number of US corporations in sectors ranging from software and games manufacture, healthcare, medical devices and publishing.
In addition to our direct client relationships, we have strong associations with intermediaries around the world.
Our expertise
Our practice is headed by Fiona McBride, partner and qualified attorney for over 15 years. One of our key strengths is our understanding of business strategy. Members of our team have previously worked as in house trade mark attorneys so we are well placed to advise on porfolio management.
The way we work
We work closely with our clients to develop a strategic approach to the protection and enforcement of trade marks. We believe in listening carefully and formulating a strategy which is individual to your business.
We actively educate and assist through means of in house training, seminars and meetings. We also educate ourselves by monitoring developments in industry sectors so we are better placed to advise our clients.
Examples of the type of work we do are:
Searching: we undertake national and international trade mark clearance searches.
Filing and prosecution: we file and prosecute applications nationally and internationally and manage many large portfolio on a worldwide basis.
Renewals: we ensure that a strategic approach is taken when considering renewals to avoid unnecessary cost.
Audit: as part of our strategic offering, we undertake portfolio audits to ensure comprehensive protection and rationalisation.
Watching: an important part of any strategy is watching, not only trade marks and domain names but company names, competitors and industry sectors. We provide both UK and worldwide watch services.
Inter partes proceedings: we represent clients directly in third party proceedings and negotiations.
Transactional work: our services include all post-registration formalities, such as changes of name, assignments, licensing and due diligence for investment purposes.
Wider perspectives
All of our team are members of professional bodies and institutions such as INTA (the International Trademark Association), FICPI (Federation International des Conseils en Propriete Industrielle) and ITMA (Institute of Trade Mark Attorneys). The role of these bodies is to educate members about changes in intellectual property worldwide and to lobby for change where necessary. Members of our team belong to these committees ensuring that our clients' best interests are looked after.
What our clients say
• "We're very happy with the way Withers & Rogers dealt with our trade mark portfolio. Not only has it saved us money in renewal costs, but our business is better protected too. Now that the annual review system is set up, we can deal with all the renewals in one go, so nothing gets overlooked or renewed when it shouldn't - a big improvement!"
David Snell, Technical Manager, McCain Foods
• “We have always found Withers & Rogers to be client focused, responsive and practical in their advice. Over the years, we have had to call upon their expertise and experience to guide us through various IP matters and their support has been invaluable.”
Andy Valentine, Marketing Director Ginsters
• “Withers & Rogers has worked with us over a number of years and we value their commercial advice. We work closely together to ensure that the trade mark needs and requirements of our business are met. Of particular importance to us is an efficient and friendly service, which we always receive from Withers & Rogers.”
Godfrey Davis, Chairman and Chief Executive, Mulberry Design Limited
• “As a business focused on new technologies and products, it is vitally important that we protect any intellectual property generated by such innovation. Withers & Rogers understands our commercial needs and provides us with pragmatic, realistic and timely advice which gives us confidence in the security of our IP rights.”
Caroline Davies, Senior Trade Marks Adviser, Akzo Nobel
• “Withers & Rogers always give us a friendly, prompt and high quality service.”
Man Group Plc Sue Welch, Group Secretariat, Man Group Plc
Group members
All members of our team can handle a range of different subject matters. If however you would like specific advice on any of the following sectors, please contact:
Luxury goods & fashion |
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Fiona McBride |
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Military and Defence |
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Fiona McBride |
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Retail |
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Fiona McBride |
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Financial services |
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Tania Clark |
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Computing & Electronics |
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Mark Armitage |
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Food & Drink |
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Fiona McBride |
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Minerals and Mining |
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Tanya Clark |
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"As a closure and container manufacturer serving a widely spread and competitive collection of markets, pharmaceutical, toiletries, beauty, household products and food, the development of our intellectual property portfolio is vital to our success. It is equally vital that we retain a first class firm of patent and trade mark attorneys; and over the last twenty years Withers & Rogers has filled that role admirably."
Rod Parker, Managing Director, Dragon Plastics Ltd
Group Members
Mark Armitage
Marisa Broughton
Stephanie Burns
Mark Caddle
Tania Clark
Nicole Giblin
Fiona McBride
Michelle Tew
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