Briffa

Firm overview:

Clients report that Briffa is a “go-to” firm for robust anti-counterfeiting solutions. Offering the full spectrum of trademark services, the team of lawyers is strong in prosecution and enforcement, and has been recommended to clients for its “comprehensive IP knowledge and sensible commercial strategies''. 

The specialist IP firm is armed with the tools to conduct effective investigations into imitation products for clients via its connections with customs and specialist IP investigators. Though primarily recognised for its success in advising small and medium-sized enterprises, Briffa’s diverse client base includes British multinational lingerie brand Ann Summers, the investment arm of the UK government, and a number of established brands in the automotive sector. 

Briffa continues to grow in presence and size, and in the past year, it has added eight individuals to its fee-earning team, upsized its London office, and acquired the impressive client list of another firm, Chancery Trade Marks.

Team overview:

Briffa was founded by the “admired” Margaret Briffa in 1995. Although she left the partnership in 2022, Briffa still acts as a consultant for the firm, with peers commenting: “she does a fantastic job—clients speak so highly of her.” 

Continuing Margaret Briffa's legacy are heads of department William Miles and Éamon Chawke. Miles specialises in disputes, passing off claims and domain name issues and has acted in the High Court and Intellectual Property Enterprise Court, as well as in registry disputes in the UK and EU Intellectual Property Offices (IPOs). Chawke advises on the portfolios of Briffa’s largest clients and, working between London and the office in Cork, Ireland, is key in the firm’s development in the EU and Ireland. 

Ramsay Monime is “a pleasure to work with”, says a peer, and is relied on by clients for the firm’s bigger anti-counterfeiting matters successfully shaping a civil recovery programme. A client adds:  “I can pick up the phone and he’ll know where we are with my cases, even though he has some other really big clients. He's not scared just to say “that's a really good idea,” and he trusts his team to work with me on regular matters.” Monime also brings litigation experience in the High Court, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court.

Key matters:

• Briffa advises CMR Surgical, a surgical robotics company, on its prosecution and enforcement matters, including expansion and protection of its growing brand. The team of Éamon Chawke and Anastasia Troshkova advise on filing the trademarks ‘CMR’, ‘Versius’ and ‘V-Wrist’ brands in multiple jurisdictions—the UK, the EU, the US, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, India, Israel, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Korea, Russia, South Africa and Turkey. In a recent matter, Briffa was engaged by CMR Surgical in an infringement matter in India, and on opposition and coexistence negotiations in the EU and Turkey to protect the Cambridge-based brand on an international scale.
• William Miles advised software development company HyperDot, in a recent trademark opposition concerning the word ‘Dots’. The opposition was brought by Take-Two Interactive Software, a US video game giant, following its nearly $200 million acquisition of the company Playdots. Briffa instructured a barrister for the subsequent oral hearing before the UKIPO and HyperDot succeeded on all grounds. Briffa’s Ireland team anticipate that related proceedings will take place at the EUIPO.

Clients:

3i, Ann Summers, British International Investment, Charles Claire, Chesterton Global, CMR Surgical, Escentric Molecules, Financial Conduct Authority, HyperDot, Moonshot, Sysxnet, Tom Dixon, Trip Drink, Zero Petroleum