Department profile
Freeths LLP

Intellectual Property

UK Guide 2026 : Midlands

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Freeths LLP

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About

Provided by Freeths LLP

The team is based in the West Midlands but its reach is nationwide. We offer a full range of traditional IP services including contentious and non-contentious trade mark, designs and copyright work and patent litigation. In addition, the team also provides bespoke advertising, marketing, product clearance and other advice as to best exploit and enforce clients’ own IP and avoid infringing the IP of others. With a fully integrated filing and prosecution practice matched by seasoned litigators, the team is able to offer a seamless and holistic service for the efficient management and effective enforcement of intellectual property rights. This wide range of services has attracted an impressive portfolio of clients including some well known household names and helped build an extensive network of fellow practitioners around the world.

The team delivers a quality fixed price trade mark and design filing service, early-warning services, company name tribunal complaints and domain name disputes. Simon and his team also have particular expertise in advertising cases, including cases of trade mark infringement in comparative advertising, complaints to the ASA and appeals to the Independent Reviewer.

In addition to prosecuting cases the team is well known for defending clients and providing skilled advice on the risks of infringing third party rights; including product, design and trade mark clearance advice. Key sectors include: retail, fashion, manufacturing, hospitality and leisure.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Intellectual Property - Midlands

Band 2

What the Team is Known For
Freeths in Birmingham offers a full-service IP practice advising on licensing, trade mark prosecution, patent litigation, brand protection and designs. The team conducts due diligence in advance of corporate and capital markets transactions. It acts for household names in construction, retail and leisure. The team regularly advises in relation to advertising, marketing and product clearance.
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Work Highlights

Provided by Chambers

  • Freeths acted for Aldi in relation to Thatchers Cider Company's appeal to the Court of Appeal concerning enforcement of trademarks for packaging designs.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • Freeths offer straightforward advice and are wider strategy-oriented. The team has their eyes on the ball, they know the client wants to resolve the issue, not to complicate it.

    Intellectual Property respondentUK

  • Freeths has a very pragmatic approach and offers clear, prompt communication. Every conversation was grounded in a clear understanding of what the real world trade-offs and perspectives were.

    Intellectual Property respondentUK

  • The firm has a wide range of knowledge and experience. It employs trademark and patent attorneys, as well as lawyers so there is a breadth of specialist knowledge.

    Intellectual Property respondentUK

  • The team actually takes time to get to know and understand the business's approach from a commercial perspective and ensures that the commercial objective is at the core of any advice they provide.

    Intellectual Property respondentUK

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Simon Barker
    Simon Barker

    Simon Barker

    Simon Barker leads Freeths’ national IP and media team. He is a brand and designs specialist, well versed in commercial licensing and corporate support work, handling significant trademark portfolios. He is also sought after for contentious work and litigates disputes in the IP sphere.

    • Simon is a really personable, approachable lawyer with a positive outlook. His commercial awareness is second-to-none and his knowledge and expertise are amazing.

      Intellectual Property respondentUK
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  • Martin Noble
    Martin Noble

    Martin Noble

    Martin Noble is a partner at Freeths in Birmingham. He advises clients across the full spectrum of IP matters, including copyright infringements and trademark disputes for commercial clients.

    • Martin Noble is a safe pair of hands. He is professional, knowledgeable, methodical, reliable and patient. It is a pleasure to work with him.

      Intellectual Property respondentUK
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Ranked Individuals at Freeths LLP (2)

Midlands

Members

Provided by Freeths LLP

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