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Thinking - Blog

William Grant & Sons v Lidl: where to be-gin?

Published on 16 Jun 2021. By Ciara Cullen, Partner, Retail & Consumer Sector Lead and Ben Mark, Partner and Sarah Mountain, Partner

On 25 May 2021, the Scottish Court of Session (SCOS) granted an interim interdict (akin to an interim injunction), which prevents Lidl from selling its own brand 'Hampstead gin' in Scottish stores, pending the outcome of the matter at trial.

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Thinking - Blog

William Grant & Sons v Lidl: where to be-gin?

Published on 16 Jun 2021. By Ciara Cullen, Partner, Retail & Consumer Sector Lead and Ben Mark, Partner and Sarah Mountain, Partner

On 25 May 2021, the Scottish Court of Session (SCOS) granted an interim interdict (akin to an interim injunction), which prevents Lidl from selling its own brand 'Hampstead gin' in Scottish stores, pending the outcome of the matter at trial.

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Thinking - Blog

Philip Warren & Son v Lidl – No case of mi-steak-en identity

Published on 25 May 2021. By Ben Mark, Partner and Ciara Cullen, Partner, Retail & Consumer Sector Lead

The High Court has dismissed a passing off claim brought by Philip Warren & Son Limited (PWS) against well-known supermarket, Lidl. The decision ultimately turned on the fact that PWS presented "insufficient evidence of a significant level of operative misrepresentation to any category of PWS' customers".

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Thinking - Blog

Philip Warren & Son v Lidl – No case of mi-steak-en identity

Published on 25 May 2021. By Ben Mark, Partner and Ciara Cullen, Partner, Retail & Consumer Sector Lead

The High Court has dismissed a passing off claim brought by Philip Warren & Son Limited (PWS) against well-known supermarket, Lidl. The decision ultimately turned on the fact that PWS presented "insufficient evidence of a significant level of operative misrepresentation to any category of PWS' customers".

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Thinking - Blog

Patents Court finds alleged penalty clause is firm but fair

Published on 18 May 2021. By Ciara Cullen, Partner, Retail & Consumer Sector Lead

The Patents Court recently held that provisions in a settlement agreement, which restricted the ability to challenge IP rights in the future, were enforceable and did not amount to penalty clauses, as the defendant contended.

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Thinking - Blog

'Brake-ing' news: public interest defence is available in breach of confidence and privacy claims, even where the information concerned has been unlawfully obtained

Published on 27 Apr 2021. By Ben Mark, Partner and Oliver Sainter, Senior Associate

This recent High Court case concerns the accessing and sharing of emails, said to be private and confidential emails (the Emails), by the Defendants.

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Thinking - Blog

Stay on top of Intellectual Property

Published on 20 Apr 2021. By Ciara Cullen, Partner, Retail & Consumer Sector Lead and Ben Mark, Partner and Sarah Mountain, Partner

Whether you’re just starting out or launching a new product, there are a wealth of intellectual property issues to consider in the world of distilling. Here, Ciara Cullen, Ben Mark and Sarah Mountain outline those do’s and don’ts, the changing landscape and how to thrive in 2021 and beyond.

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Thinking - Blog

Court of Appeal upholds copyright infringement decision against digital radio aggregator

Published on 12 Apr 2021. By David Cran, Partner, Head of Disputes

The Court of Appeal has refused TuneIn's appeal of a 2019 judgment finding that it had infringed the copyright of Warner and Sony by linking to online radio stations.

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Thinking - Blog

Need for reasonable enquiries upon receipt of potentially confidential information

Published on 24 Mar 2021. By Carolin Ayres, Senior Associate and Chris Ross, Partner

The Court of Appeal recently held that a recipient of information will be bound by a duty of confidentiality if it was reasonable for them to have made enquiries as to the confidential nature of the information and they failed to do so (Travel Counsellors Ltd v Trailfinders Ltd [2021] EWCA Civ 38).

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Thinking - Blog

Oh (no) Polly – clothing brand infringed the design rights of a direct competitor the High Court finds

Published on 17 Mar 2021. By Sarah Mountain, Partner and Ellie Chakarto, Senior Associate

The High Court has held that G4K Fashion Limited, trading as 'Oh Polly', has infringed UK unregistered design rights (UKUDR) and community unregistered design rights (CUDR) owned by Original Beauty Technology Company Limited (Original Beauty) by copying several of its 'bodycon' and 'bandage' garments. Original Beauty was, however, unable to establish passing off.

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Thinking - Blog

Hold your horses: Raceday data dispute likely to head to Supreme Court

Published on 06 Jan 2021. By David Cran, Partner, Head of Disputes and Georgia Davis, Of Counsel

In a dispute, between suppliers of live betting and raceday data from racecourses, the Court of Appeal was asked to consider whether a duty of confidence could be applied to live sports data between its creation and broadcast when that information was available in real time. We look at the Court's decision, and the reasons for it, in more detail below.

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Thinking - Blog

Brexit – a guide to protecting your rights from 1 January 2021

Published on 15 Dec 2020.

Like many other areas of law, intellectual property (IP) will undergo a raft of changes overnight, when the Brexit transition period expires on December 31 2020.

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Thinking - Blog

Neat infringement claim leaves whiskey competitor’s trade mark on the rocks

Published on 02 Nov 2020. By Ciara Cullen, Partner, Retail & Consumer Sector Lead

The producers of Eagle Rare bourbon whiskey have succeeded in their trade mark infringement claim against competitor, American Eagle. The case highlights the impact of market-specific context in determining whether consumers are likely to be confused by similar trade marks. Whilst the case has general relevance, it will be of specific interest to alcohol and luxury goods brands.

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Thinking - Snapshot

Copyright: Online platform operators’ liability for users illegally uploading copyright material

Published on 02 Nov 2020. By David Cran, Partner, Head of Disputes

C-682/18 Frank Peterson v Google LLC and others and C 683/18 Elsevier Inc. v Cyando AG EU:C:2020:586 – A-G opinion

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Thinking - Blog

Too many cooks… 'Fit Kitchen' trade mark infringed

Published on 11 Aug 2020. By Ben Mark, Partner and Sarah Mountain, Partner

On 29 July, Fit Kitchen Limited (FKL) won its case for trade mark infringement and passing off against Scratch Meals Limited (SML). Both FKL and SML provide healthy pre-prepared meals: FKL via an online subscription site, which allows users to customise meal choices, based on their individual macros and dietary preferences and SML, through the manufacture and sale of products to supermarkets.

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Thinking - Blog

British Gymnastics lands well in trade mark infringement proceedings

Published on 29 Jul 2020. By Joshua Charalambous, Partner

The national governing body (NGB) for Gymnastics in Britain has succeeded in trade mark infringement and passing off proceedings against an organisation using the sign “UK Gymnastics”, in a Judgment which is likely to assist several Sport England and UK Sport-funded NGBs. In particular, it shows how to deal with organisations using signs which suggest they are an NGB (when they are not).

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Thinking - Blog

Sega’s early win against Man Utd in Football Manager trade mark case

Published on 27 Jul 2020. By Jeremy Drew, Partner and Samuel Coppard, Senior Associate

As first published by leading sports law resource LawInSport, Jeremy Drew and Samuel Coppard discuss Man United’s trade mark infringement proceedings against Sega and Sports Interactive in relation to Football Manager.

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Thinking - Blog

All change! No extension means major changes for IP rights holders from 1 January 2021

Published on 02 Jul 2020. By Ben Mark, Partner and Sarah Mountain, Partner

Under Article 132 of the Withdrawal Agreement, 30 June 2020 was the last day that the UK could have requested an extension to the Brexit transition period. The COVID-19 outbreak prompted many to speculate that a request would be made but the deadline passed, without event.

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Thinking - Blog

'Nosecco' is a no-no, says the High Court

Published on 01 Jul 2020. By Ciara Cullen, Partner, Retail & Consumer Sector Lead and Sarah Mountain, Partner

In recent years, health and wellbeing has been big business in the UK. The COVID-19 outbreak has only further stoked the desire to obtain and maintain healthy minds and bodies and the trend looks set to continue, across the retail sector.

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Thinking - Blog

Luxury and online marketplaces - the next chapter (Coty v Amazon)

Published on 01 Jun 2020. By Ciara Cullen, Partner, Retail & Consumer Sector Lead and Sarah Mountain, Partner

On 2 April 2020, the CJEU ruled that storing infringing goods on behalf of a third-party seller, without knowing that those goods infringe trade mark rights does not constitute infringement, provided that the storing party does not pursue the aim of offering the goods for sale or putting them on the market.

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Thinking - Blog

Landmark case sees trade mark specifications cut down on grounds of bad faith.

Published on 29 Apr 2020. By Ben Mark, Partner and Sarah Mountain, Partner

Today, the High Court handed down judgment in Sky v SkyKick. The judgment follows the CJEU's 29 January 2020 decision, which answered various questions that the High Court had referred to it, back in June 2018.

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Thinking - Blog

COVID-19 prompts changes to working arrangements for the Court of Justice of the European Union

Published on 09 Apr 2020. By Louise Morgan, Senior Associate

Prompted by the COVID-19 pandemic, the CJEU announced, on 19 March 2020, that it will be temporarily changing its working arrangements.

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Thinking - Blog

EUIPO issues clarification on COVID-19 extension of time for trade mark and design proceedings

Published on 01 Apr 2020. By Ben Mark, Partner

The EUIPO has issued a clarification in respect of Decision No EX-20-3 noting that the extension of deadlines in trade mark and design EUIPO proceedings to 1 May 2020 applies automatically.

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Thinking - Blog

So Long Blues

Published on 28 Feb 2020. By Ben Mark, Partner

Following our previous IP hub update, Glaxo has suffered fresh survey woes.

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Thinking - Blog

15% increase in counterfeit goods seized in 2015

Published on 11 Oct 2016. By David Cran, Partner, Head of Disputes and Ben Mark, Partner

According to the "Report on EU Customs Enforcement of Intellectual Property Rights: Results at the EU Border 2015", the number of goods that were detained at the EU's external borders for suspected infringement of an IP right grew by an estimated 15% in 2015 compared with 2014.

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Press and Media

The Times recognises RPC among Best Law Firms 2024

Published on 30 Oct 2023.

International law firm, RPC, has been recognised by The Times in its Best Law Firms 2024 report, an annual ranking of the top 250 law firms in England and Wales.

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Thinking - Blog

A matter of interpretation – the Supreme Court look at contractual interpretation once more

Published on 24 Feb 2023. By Poppy Hay, Senior Associate and Laura Stocks, Partner

In their recent Judgment in Sara & Hossein Asset Holdings Ltd (a company incorporated in the British Virgin Islands) v Blacks Outdoor Retails Ltd [2023] UKSC 2 the Supreme Court adopted a commercially balanced interpretation of a lease; rejecting the overly textual approach of the Court of Appeal in favour of reading the relevant clause in the context of the lease as a whole.

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Thinking - Publication

Money Covered: The Week That Was – 25 July 2025

Published on 25 Jul 2025. By Rachael Healey, Partner and David Allinson, Partner and George Smith, Partner and Kirstie Pike, Partner and Kate Hill, Partner

Welcome to The Week That Was, a round-up of key events in the financial services sector over the last seven days.

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Thinking - Publication

General Liability newsletter – July 2025

Published on 24 Jul 2025. By Gavin Reese, Partner, Head of Regulatory and Fiona Hahlo, Partner and Beth Lewis, Associate and Emily Twomey, Trainee Solicitor and Sally Lord, Knowledge Counsel – Insurance and Litigation

Welcome to the latest edition of our general liability newsletter. In this edition we look at the Personal Injury Discount rate, the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill and the recent case of Williams-Henry v Associated British Ports you have any questions please get in contact with a member of the team.

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Thinking - Publication

Money Covered: The Week That Was - 18 July 2025

Published on 18 Jul 2025. By Rachael Healey, Partner and David Allinson, Partner and George Smith, Partner and Kirstie Pike, Partner and Kate Hill, Partner

Welcome to The Week That Was, a round-up of key events in the financial services sector over the last seven days.

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Thinking - Blog

Non-bank firms, their directors and insurers: mind the (non-financial misconduct) gap!

Published on 17 Jul 2025. By Mike Newham, Partner and Lauren Paterson, Associate and Catherine Zakarias-Welch, Knowledge Lawyer

Earlier this month the FCA published its final policy statement and consultation paper CP25/18 introducing a new rule, COCON 1.1.7R, extending existing rules on non-financial misconduct (NFM) from banks (only) to non-banking firms. The FCA has also made clear that firms will be required to report serious substantiated NFM to the FCA and include the same in regulatory references to prevent "rolling bad apples" within the industry.

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Thinking - Podcast

Insurance Covered: Why does everyone ignore insurance? (Even though it's the answer for everything) (With Lorcan Hall)

Published on 15 Jul 2025.

Welcome to Insurance Covered, the podcast that covers everything insurance.

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Thinking - Publication

Money Covered: The Week That Was - 11 July 2025

Published on 11 Jul 2025. By Rachael Healey, Partner and David Allinson, Partner and George Smith, Partner and Kirstie Pike, Partner and Kate Hill, Partner

Welcome to The Week That Was, a round-up of key events in the financial services sector over the last seven days.

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Thinking - Blog

AI-dentifying risks: ensuring trust: the new RICS standard

Published on 09 Jul 2025. By Katharine Cusack, Partner and Catherine Zakarias-Welch, Knowledge Lawyer and Emma Wherry, Of Counsel

On 4 March 2025, the RICS ran a public consultation on its new professional standard, "Responsible use of AI 1st Edition" which ran until 29 April 2025. Members were asked to participate in order to help frame the way in which the RICS incorporates the use of AI in the industry.

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Thinking - Blog

Supreme Court resolves key construction and professional negligence issues in URS Corp Ltd v BDW Trading Ltd

Published on 09 Jul 2025. By Aimee Talbot, Knowledge Lawyer and Ben Goodier, Partner and Alexandra Anderson, Partner

The Supreme Court handed down its keenly awaited judgment in URS Corp Ltd v BDW Trading Ltd [2025] UKSC 21 on 21 May 2025. The dispute concerns whether a developer (BDW Trading Ltd) can recover the cost of remedying allegedly dangerous defects in two residential developments from the structural engineers (URS Corporation Ltd) responsible for their design. Our specialist construction insurance team consider the key points for insurers, brokers and professional consultants.

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Thinking - Publication

ML Covered - July 2025

Published on 07 Jul 2025. By Rachael Healey, Partner and Matthew Watson, Partner and Kim Wright, Senior Associate and Zoe Melegari, Senior Associate and Andrew Oberholzer, Senior Associate and Charlotte Bray, Associate

We are pleased to share our latest instalment of ML Covered, our monthly round-up of key events relevant to those dealing with Management Liability Policies covering D&O, EPL and PTL-type risks.

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Thinking - Publication

Money Covered: The Week That Was - 4 July 2025

Published on 04 Jul 2025. By Rachael Healey, Partner and David Allinson, Partner and George Smith, Partner and Kirstie Pike, Partner and Kate Hill, Partner

Welcome to The Week That Was, a round-up of key events in the financial services sector over the last seven days.

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Thinking - Blog

Beyond the 'threshold'? A narrowing view of work equipment

Published on 27 Jun 2025. By Thom Lumley, Partner and Catherine Zakarias-Welch, Knowledge Lawyer

We take a look at the case of George Morriss v London Borough of Hillingdon [2025] EWHC - In another significant ruling on liability for injuries sustained on public highways, the court reinforces the considerable evidentiary responsibility resting with claimants.

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Thinking - Publication

Insurance Bulletin - Hong Kong Summer 2025

Published on 24 Jun 2025. By Andrew Carpenter, Partner and Beverly Yee, Senior Associate and Heidi Ng, Associate

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Thinking - Podcast

The Month that Was – May/June 2025 – a look at Employment Practices Liability Insurance and its relationship to D&O

Published on 23 Jun 2025.

In this episode, Mel is joined by Kim Wright and Matt Watson to discuss Employment Practices Liability (EPL) insurance, its scope, and its intersection with Directors & Officers (D&O) insurance.

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Thinking - Podcast

A look at insuring today's diversity (With Heidi McCormack)

Published on 17 Jun 2025.

Welcome to Insurance Covered, the podcast that covers everything insurance. In this episode, Peter Mansfield is joined by Heidi McCormack, CEO at Emerald Life, to discuss the importance of diversity and inclusion in the insurance industry.

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Thinking - Publication

ML Covered - June 2025

Published on 06 Jun 2025. By Matthew Watson, Partner and Rachael Healey, Partner and Kim Wright, Senior Associate and Zoe Melegari, Senior Associate and Andrew Oberholzer, Senior Associate and Charlotte Bray, Associate

We are pleased to share our latest instalment of ML Covered, our monthly round-up of key events relevant to those dealing with Management Liability Policies covering D&O, EPL and PTL-type risks.

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Thinking - Blog

Surveying the risks: RICS proposed updates tackling financial crime

Published on 02 Jun 2025. By Ben Goodier, Partner and Emma Wherry, Of Counsel and Catherine Zakarias-Welch, Knowledge Lawyer

Financial crime is on the rise. In response to the new technologies criminals are using, such as AI and cryptocurrency, RICS launched a consultation calling on members, regulated firms and key stakeholders to respond to its consultation on proposed changes to "The Financial Crime Standard" (The RICS Countering Financial Crime: Bribery, Corruption, Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing, and Sanctions Violation Professional Standard).

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Thinking - Publication

Money Covered: The Week That Was – 30 May 2025

Published on 30 May 2025. By Rachael Healey, Partner and Robert Morris, Partner and David Allinson, Partner and George Smith, Partner and Matthew Watson, Partner

Welcome to The Week That Was, a round-up of key events in the financial services sector over the last seven days.

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Thinking - Blog

Warranty and Indemnity Insurance Q&A – Current Trends and What to Look Out For

Published on 29 May 2025. By Andrew Carpenter, Partner and Heidi Ng, Associate

The Asia Warranty and Indemnity (W&I) insurance market is expanding rapidly to meet demand as businesses and market participants become increasingly aware of the benefits that transactional insurance can offer. The dynamics in this space are everchanging – the incorporation of W&I in deals, insurers' expectations on the level of due diligence, terms of policies and level of coverage provided are all adapting to demand. This article highlights some recent trends we have encountered and factors to look out for in order to seize opportunities in current market conditions.

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Thinking - Blog

Lliuya v RWE AG - Expanding climate impact litigation

Published on 29 May 2025. By Lucy Dyson , Partner and Marcela Calife Marotti, Senior Associate

The German court has today (28 May 2025) dismissed the long-running climate impact litigation case of Lliuya v RWE , heard before the Higher Regional Court of Hamm, Germany, between 17 and 19 March 2025.

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Thinking - Publication

Money Covered: The Week That Was – 23 May 2025

Published on 23 May 2025. By Rachael Healey, Partner and Robert Morris, Partner and David Allinson, Partner and George Smith, Partner and Matthew Watson, Partner

Welcome to The Week That Was, a round-up of key events in the financial services sector over the last seven days.

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Thinking - Podcast

A look at Takaful insurance (With Wajahat Khawaja)

Published on 20 May 2025.

Welcome to Insurance Covered, the podcast that covers everything insurance. In this episode Peter is joined by Wajahat Khawaja and the topic of discussion is Takaful, an Islamic form of insurance.

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Thinking - Publication

Money Covered: The Week That Was – 16 May 2025

Published on 16 May 2025. By Rachael Healey, Partner and Robert Morris, Partner and David Allinson, Partner and George Smith, Partner and Matthew Watson, Partner

Welcome to The Week That Was, a round-up of key events in the financial services sector over the last seven days.

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Thinking - Blog

Council liability in cases of personal injury suffered on public highways

Published on 14 May 2025. By Thom Lumley, Partner and Catherine Zakarias-Welch, Knowledge Lawyer

We take a look at the case of George Morriss v London Borough of Hillingdon [2025] EWHC - In another significant ruling on liability for injuries sustained on public highways, the court reinforces the considerable evidentiary responsibility resting with claimants.

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