Powell Gilbert

Firm overview:

Though primarily known among peers for its patents practice, Powell Gilbert has a strong trademarks track record, advising enviable brands on key, high-stakes litigation. Its client list speaks for itself, as the specialist IP litigation firm takes on matters for the $350 billion-dollar consumer goods company Procter & Gamble (P&G), and iconic Milan fashion house Prada. Clients describe the relationship as “exceptional. [Powell Gilbert] knows us very well, which is a huge shortcut” when a new issue arises. Before the UK and EU Intellectual Property Offices (IPOs), the Intellectual Property Enterprise Court and the Court of Appeal, Powell Gilbert handles all IP issues, trademarks, patents, designs and copyright matters.

The team handles enforcement programmes for clients at risk of ongoing infringement and counterfeiting, including P&G to protect its Oral-B electric toothbrush. In addition to its focus on disputes, Powell Gilbert is involved in anti-counterfeiting, parallel import and repackaging matters. Historically, the firm has obtained interim injunctions and search and asset freezing orders on behalf of its clients.

Team overview:

Powell Gilbert’s practice is made up of 59 people, 13 of which are partners, marking it one of the largest IP litigation teams in Europe. Based in the London and Dublin offices, partner and head of department Simon Ayrton receives glowing recommendations from the firm’s top clients. “[We] speak each other’s language which saves to-ing and fro-ing on an issue.” Ayrton specialises in litigation for all things IP, assisting Procter & Gamble, Gillette, Prada and FTSE 100 delivery company Ocado. He has extensive anti-counterfeiting and parallel import experience, and has been appointed by the Court to supervise search orders by other firms.

Partner Ari Laakkonen “would be on my top call sheet”, says a client, “one of my first stops for sure if it was a larger matter.” Laakkonen is a litigator, bringing in-house experience to the firm and is sought out on trademark matters despite his primary focus on patents. Partner Tom Oliver, as well as the UKIPO and English Courts, is experienced before the EUIPO for oppositions, mediations and judicial review proceedings and specialises in consumer goods, fashion, food and life sciences.

Key matters:

• On behalf of Procter & Gamble, a team led by Simon Ayrton defends against counterfeiters, parallel traders and lookalike goods. P&G generates $1 billion annually per brand, these include the Gillette razor, Pantene and Head & Shoulders shampoo, Pampers nappies and Fairy Liquid detergent. Powell Gilbert runs a dedicated enforcement programme to protect against online traders selling counterfeit Oral-B electric toothbrush heads, which includes proceedings before the Intellectual Property Enterprise Court.
• The team of Ayrton, Tom Oliver and Alex Borthwick advises Swiss-German furniture company Vitra on lookalike products. The replicas infringe on Vitra’s designs, and related design by Casina and Fritz Hansen, famous mid-20th century furniture designers. Powell Gilbert represents the three designers in enforcing trademark and copyright rights. The endeavour has led to a successful challenge by judicial review of the government legislation in this area, resulting favourably for Powell Gilbert’s clients.

Clients:

Gillette, Ocado, Prada, Procter & Gamble, Vitra