our reputation
The Intellectual Property (IP) team is described in the
Chambers
UK, A Client's Guide to the Legal
Profession as “at the top of its
game.” The guide also states that the cross-disciplinary
team has recently been sub-divided into IP and IT teams, which
share work across the firm. What sets the team apart
from its competitors is its ability to offer commercial advice
across a range of sectors, from bio-pharmacy and biotech to IT,
media and technology businesses.
This “incredibly user-friendly team” provides “a truly excellent
service” to its clients. The Portsmouth-based team’s appointment to
Catalist, the government’s public sector procurement panel, is an
acknowledgement of its strength, which ranges from IP registration
to High Court disputes. The group is also involved in validity
investigations and biopharmaceutical issues and is praised by
clients for its attentive personal service.
Head of department Jill
Bainbridge combines her knowledge of the law with
“a fine commercial sense,” and her team attracts praise for its
flexible and creative approach to contentious and non-contentious
IP work.
It has received a number of gilt-edged instructions from notable
clients; on the contentious side, the team advised BAA on a trade
mark dispute, and it continues to manage the trade mark portfolios
of ICI Group Intellectual Property and the NYSE-listed
communications giant Alcatel-Lucent. Its non-contentious work is
equally high profile, and the team regularly works with the
multinational pharmaceuticals company Ferring Research.
This group generally handles technical issues associated with
outsourcing, and advises on contracts with a high IP component. It
is also said to have more direct knowledge and hands-on experience
of artists’ resale rights than any other British firm. It advises
the University of Reading on IP licensing transactions, and acts
for the Society of London Art Dealers on copyright issues and the
resale rights of artists. “Completely on top of his subject and
inspiring great confidence,” Simon Stokes is commended for
his grasp of technological matters, superb negotiation skills and
ability to explain complex issues. This practice is also singled
out for its reasonable prices and prompt acknowledgement of
clients’ communications.
Simon Stokes is ranked as a
soft IP specialist.
Chambers
UK, A Client's Guide to the Legal Profession
2009
“Extremely tactful and bright,” this multi-talented six-partner
team runs the gamut of IP issues, including copyrights, patents and
trade mark protection, exploitation and litigation. It is equally
adept at handling work on both the contentious and non-contentious
sides. The recent merger between Blake Lapthorn Linnell and Tarlo
Lyons has deepened the “absolutely super” team, helping it to
attract a flurry of new e-commerce clients. It also covers some
more specialist corners of IP rights, including the copyright of
art and integrated media involving mobile content.
Sources praise Jill Bainbridge because she
“negotiates tactfully but firmly.” She leads the IP group and
focuses on IP and IT disputes. Simon Stokes joins the tables this year,
described by clients as “a lawyer with a strong track record.” He
is interested in bioscience and mobile technology and is developing
his expertise in these areas.
The team is advising Xyratex on various
matters including a development and supply agreement for an
automated hard drive testing plant; it is also advising it on
international arbitration. The group acted for World Class/Harmoni
in a master services agreement with Dell, and also handles the
trade mark portfolio, passing off issues and domain name disputes
for ICI Group, Alcatel-Lucent and the Goodwood Estate Company.
Highlighted by clients as “an impressive team
who comes up trumps”, Blake Lapthorn [Tarlo Lyons] is commended for
its “very thorough approach and tact when dealing with tricky
issues.” Sources feel that “it does particularly fantastic work on
specialist licensing and outsourcing issues.” Highlights include
offering strategic advice to the Arts Council and the Society of
London Art Dealers regarding the implications of artist's resale
rights; it also undertakes work for Fujitsu Network Communications
and the Daily Mail Group. Head of the team, Simon
Stokes is “exceptionally bright with an outstanding
attention to detail. He has a remarkable understanding of what
clients are about.” Clients consider that his strength lies in
copyright matters, in which he “demonstrates a keen responsiveness
and wit in commercial negotiations.”
Simon Stokes is ranked as a
soft IP specialist.
Chambers
UK, A Client's Guide to the Legal Profession
2008
Jill Bainbridge, head of IP at
Blake Lapthorn [Tarlo Lyons], is a well-known expert who advises on
a wide range of disputes, including those relating to copyright,
database rights and trade marks. Arbitration is also a key strength
of the firm. Simon Smith advised FoneStarz
on a series of complex mobile content provision agreements with
major networks around the world relating to streamed video content
for mobile devices.
Legal 500 2007
Heading up the team in the
firm’s Southampton office, Jill Bainbridge is an IP
specialist on the contentious side. She has particular expertise in
databases, trade marks and patent work. Clients particularly value
her commercial awareness.
According to the market, Chris
McClure is a “nice guy with his finger on the
pulse.” He specialises in the non-contentious aspects of IP/IT and
e-commerce.
Chambers
UK, A Client's Guide to the Legal Profession 2007
Blake Lapthorn can also call upon the skills of
electronic media and telecommunications specialist Simon
Smith. The practice undertakes a large amount of IP
licensing and other commercially orientated work, as well as
contentious instructions.
Legal 500 2006
For more information, please contact
Jill Bainbridge, head of our
Intellectual Property team, on 023 8085 7160; email jill.bainbridge@bllaw.co.uk.
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