Several Members of Chambers are active in the field of intellectual property law and the various associated areas of law such as information technology, computers, entertainment and media, and sports.
In particular, Members of Chambers conduct litigation and provide advice concerning patents and trade secrets, trade marks and passing-off, copyright and design rights, performers’ rights and related areas such as private international law and jurisdictional issues concerning IP matters.
Alan Boyle QC has appeared in the Copyright Tribunal in a case about the tariff for the performance of classical music; and he has acted for EMI against the Beatles’ company Apple Corps concerning some early recording contracts, and for Elton John concerning some publishing and recording contracts.
Elizabeth Jones QC has extensive experience acting for record companies, artists, agents and publishers. She was involved in the EMI v Apple Corps litigation, and more recently in the case of Barrett v Universal Island Records [2006] EMLR 21, in which she successfully defended Universal Island Records and the successors in title to Bob Marley against claims by Aston Barrett, former bass player with the Wailers.
Michael Edenborough QC practises in all areas of IP law, with over 75 reported cases since 2000. He has acted for the Comptroller-General of Patents (Yeda, HLs), the Registrar of Trade Marks (General Cigars and Land Securities, both appeals to the ChD), and the UK government (adidas, ECJ). He also appears often before the General Court and Court of Justice, Luxembourg on appeals from OHIM and Article 267 references, and in the EPO (before the legal and technical Boards of Appeal).
Robin Rathmell has a growing trade mark and passing-off practice, and represents a large removal/storage company in its strategy against multiple infringers.
Thomas Elias has a growing practice in copyright, passing off, and UK and Community trade marks and design rights. He has also appeared with Michael Edenborough QC in a number of intellectual property cases, including Evans (t/a Firecraft) v Focal Point Fires [2009] EWHC 2784 (Ch), a recent decision of Peter Smith J. on abuse of process and estoppel arising from proceedings in the trade mark Registry.
Brigitte Lindner undertakes advisory work in international, European and comparative copyright law, including assistance in legislative drafting. She is particularly conversant with music and film copyright and regularly advises on specific copyright aspects of international music and film productions. Brigitte also has considerable experience in the area of governmental affairs and has represented clients in legal policy issues at senior government level.
Several Members of Chambers are also particularly familiar with computer disputes, for example Dominic Dowley QC, James Behrens and Michael Edenborough QC.
