Page White Farrer
Firm overview:
For trademark prosecution, Page White Farrer is a “really safe pair of hands”, says a UK peer. The European attorney firm offers non-contentious services, including trademark auditing, registration and portfolio management as well as with contentious registry matters. Before the UK Intellectual Property Office (UKIPO), Page White Farrer has successful registered trademarks for The Makaton Charity and pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly. The attorneys handle oppositions and respond to UKIPO disputes through written submission, hearings, or by advising the client on amending the application accordingly.
Team overview:
Page White Farrer has offices in London, Leeds and Munich, its attorney offering extending to European IP matters as well as the UK. James Cornish, experienced in handling trademark prosecution matters, is the head of trademarks and brand protection. The attorney has managed more than 2,500 opposition matters and successfully registered marks in 170 countries. Cornish’s work extends to portfolio management and brand strategy.
Key matters:
- James Cornish represented client Morris Commercial, an automotive startup company and manufacturer of electric vehicles inspired by the style of the 1950s Morris J-Type. The client instructed Page White Farrer to remove registrations for ‘Morris Minor’ and ‘Morris’, trademarks dating back to the 1920s relating to the famous vehicles. The client had successfully registered ‘Morris’, without any opposition from the owners of the hundred year-old trademarks, but was aware the owner might recommence use.
- The case brought up a number of points, including whether a trademark can be removed from the register through lack of use, whether the owners of existing marks could still demonstrate use, and whether the use of third parties and licensees still counts as use. The matter concluded in favour of Page White Farrer’s client, and all eight of the century-old trademarks were removed.
Clients:
Eli Lilly, The Makaton Charity, Morris Commercial
