About

Provided by Slaughter and May

We seek to manage and mitigate risk and to maximise the return from intellectual property (IP) assets for the benefit of our clients. We advise on all aspects of the creation, exploitation and enforcement of IP rights.

Our clients operate in a wide range of industry sectors including pharmaceuticals, biotechnology and healthcare, financial institutions, technology, telecoms, media, sport, consumer goods and retail.

We advise on:

  • Disputes covering the full spectrum of intellectual property rights – ranging from complex patent actions to all forms of dispute relating to trade marks, passing off, copyright, database rights, design rights and breach of confidence claims. Our experience encompasses multi-jurisdictional and domestic disputes at every level including proceedings in the High Court, Court of Appeal and the registries including the European Patent Office and the Office for Harmonisation in the Internal Market (OHIM). We regularly advise on cross-border litigation strategy. 
  • IP related agreements - includes trademark licensing, distribution agreements, sponsorship agreements and franchising deals. Our specialist Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology and Healthcare team deals with licensing, collaboration and research and development agreements.
  • Transactional work - includes advising on M&A, disposals and joint ventures where technology or brands are integral to the transaction, structure or value. 

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Intellectual Property - London (Firms)

5
Band 5

What the Team is Known For

Slaughter and May advises on the treatment of IP rights in complex corporate transactions, licence agreements and sponsorship deals. The firm has a strong track record in trade mark litigation and represents household names in the life sciences, retail, sports and media sectors. It also offers a programme advising innovators on the protection and exploitation of fintech rights.

Work Highlights

  • Slaughter and May advised ASOS on its joint venture with Heartland, and the £135 million cash sale of Topshop and Topman brands.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

David Ives
4
David Ives
4
Band 4
David Ives leads the firm's IP and technology practice stream and is recommended for all manner of IP licensing arrangements. He receives regular instructions from household-name brands for international portfolio management and disputes.

David Ives is an excellent IP lawyer who runs a very very sleek team. The team he has built has consistency and high quality in terms of drafting and attention to detail.

U
Laura Houston
U
Up and Coming

Laura Houston is an advisory and commercial IP and tech licensing specialist. She also advises on the IP and tech licensing aspects of business separation and structuring.

Laura Houston thought up constructive solutions to difficult situation, in a hugely complex and time-intensive deal. She has deep understanding of the business and the tech sector.

Laura Houston has been very good. She has great technical skills and understanding, and an ability to work very effectively with the business.

Ranked Lawyers at
Slaughter and May

Provided by Chambers
Filter by
Band

London (Firms)

Intellectual Property

David Ives
4
David Ives
4
Band 4
U
Laura Houston
U
Up and Coming

Members

Provided by Slaughter and May