HGF

Firm overview:

European IP firm HGF is the second-largest trademark practice in the UK and was the fourth-top trademark filer in the UK in 2022. Peers recognise the size of HGF, with a reach of 24 offices across Europe. 

Its clients include major consumer facing brands, home to some of the most famous trademarks worldwide. In 2023 the firm gained work from publisher Hachette UK and dating app, Love at First Swipe. 

HGF has the resources to handle a vast amount of significant trademark portfolios at one time, thanks to its case management system. Developed in-house over two decades, deadlines and renewals are dealt with efficiently, and the system gathers insightful data to feed into management and strategy.

A dedicated oppositions and appeals team takes on contentious matters, finding success for clients in oppositions and reaching amicable settlements. Evidence of this is seen in HGF’s work for iconic fashion brand Tommy Hilfiger, protecting the mark ‘Tommy’ through negotiations with third parties and sending cease and desist letters. 

Foreign counsel are particularly pleased with the work, one lawyer stating: “I have changed almost all my matters over to HGF where possible.”

Team overview:

Lee Curtis and Lauren Somers are “the go-to for UK trademarks matters. They provide easy-to-read, simple yet commercial advice,” says one overseas lawyer. Curtis is based in Manchester and has 30 years’ experience as a trademark attorney. His focus lies in trademark filing and prosecution, including registry disputes both in the UK and beyond. In 2010, he obtained the right to litigate in the Chancery Division of the High Court and Intellectual Property Enterprise Court. 

Trademark attorney Lauren Somers is a rising star. Foreign counsel are “impressed with her practicality and solid knowledge of EU and UK practice” with one commenting, “I have been very pleased with the results she delivers.” Also based in Manchester, Somers advises on brand strategy for clients of all sizes.

Key matters:

• HGF’s Lee Curtis represents Love at First Swipe Dating, a dating app boasting a one-in-four match for users. An opposition was brought by Match Group, owner of famous dating services Tinder, Match.com, Plenty of Fish and more, to challenge the registration of ‘Love At First Swipe’.
  
  Match Group relied on its previously registered EU and UK mark ‘Swipe’ in relation to its brand Tinder, and suggested that “the applicant would be able to ride on the coattails of [its] reputation”. The client went unrepresented before instructing HGF in the defence of the opposition and in the subsequent hearing.
• The client argued that “swipe” is a common word when referring to mobile applications and is used by numerous companies, denying infringement on Match’s trademark. Love at First Swipe Dating included evidence of its own brand being covered in mainstream news outlets to indicate it had not been compared to or confused with any other dating app.
  
  The matter concluded in favour of HGF’s client, that other than the word “swipe”, the marks differed in the goods and services registered for, with reliance on the evidence showing multiple dating apps using the term “swipe” descriptively.

Clients:

AGA Rangemaster, Emirates, Hachette UK, Halfords, Love at First Swipe, Tommy Hilfiger, Quintessential Brand, Rotork, Whirlpool