Lewis Silkin

Firm overview:

Lewis Silkin is a “very impressive” full-service outfit that has “always had a decent practice focused on IP and employment”. The peer-recommended team currently handles more than 18,000 trademark records and advises on the portfolios for well-known UK brands, including high-end department store John Lewis and travel agency Skyscanner. Co-ordinating the firm’s trademark attorneys, patent attorneys, and contentious IP lawyers, Lewis Silkin offers a commercial and rounded approach for issues faced by brand owners.

The team acts on all forms of contentious IP matters, handling trademark disputes, anti-counterfeiting and unfair competition. Before the UK Intellectual Property Office (UKIPO) and UK courts, Lewis Silkin is frequently against top trademark firms in litigation. The team collaborates with firms outside the UK in global disputes, including a matter currently pending settlement for German retail client Dr Wolff spanning the UK, US, Europe, Singapore, Australia and New Zealand. In addition to trademarks, the team assists with transactional IP and domain name management.

Team overview:

Lewis Silkin is home to a team of trademark attorneys, patent attorneys and lawyers focused on IP protection. Trademark attorney Nick Bowie specialises in protection and enforcement and is the key partner on a number of matters for Lewis Silkin, including a successful UKIPO opposition on behalf of sports brand Swiss Mountain Rescue and global trademark expansion for restaurant chain Flat Iron Steak. Bowie is also adept in domain name issues.

Key matters:

• Lewis Silkin represents Robinsons, owned by FTSE 250 drinks company Britvic, in registry disputes and litigation. In a recent ongoing matter, Giles Crown, Oliver Fairhurst and Victoria Owrid are defending a claim for trademark infringement for the client’s use of the word ‘Boost’ on its drink products. The matter was brought by rival leading drinks company AG Barr, owner of sports drink Boost, in July 2023. The claim is expected to reach trial in summer 2024.
• Adam Glass, Abigail Wise, Stephanie Kay and Anna Caruso assist insurance company Saga on its IP work, including UK and global trademark clearance, filing and prosecution. The team is currently advising the client in a dispute against mobile phone company Solana Mobile. Saga has opposed Solana’s application to register ‘Saga’ as a trademark in the UK and EU and is seeking a commercial solution by way of Solana rebranding its ‘Saga’ product.

Clients:

Dr Wolff, Flat Iron Steak, John Lewis, Robinsons, Saga Group, Skyscanner, Swiss Mountain Rescue