Lee & Thompson
Firm overview:
London-based Lee & Thompson is a law firm specialising in the creative industries, with foundations in the music, film and TV sectors. Many of its people combine creative experience with a deep knowledge of law, enabling the firm to offer a holistic approach to legal services. It often partners with clients to act as an extension or, or their de facto, in-house team. Lee & Thompson has a strong prosecution practice, and its expertise has recently drawn the creator of much-loved UK baking show The Great British Bake Off.
The team also covers all contentious IP issues and has dealt with a wide range of matters concerning trademark and passing off rights, copyright and database rights, and registered and unregistered design rights.
Team overview:
Amanda McDowell leads the Trademark Practice, which she has grown from a team of two to nine since joining the firm in 2021. A satisfied client says the team she has put together is “strong”, with a “broad approach to managing brand and IP”, noting their attention to detail and thoroughness.
Milena Velikova, a trademark attorney in the dispute resolution department, is also a recommended contact at the firm and provides “valuable contributions and suggestions”. Velikova’s advice covers various aspects of trademark law including brand clearance, filing strategies and dispute resolution if that arises.
Dispute resolution partner Gordon Williams has a star-studded client list, having acted for One Direction, David and Victoria Beckham and The Rolling Stones, among others. Williams set up the firm’s Brand Protection Group, which assists clients across music, television, fashion and sport.
Key matters:
Non-Contentious:
- Filing, prosecution, portfolio management for Love Productions
Lee & Thompson has recently taken over responsibility for Love Productions’ trademark portfolio and the watching service for its major brands, including The Great British Bake Off, The Great British Sewing Bee and The Great Pottery Throwdown. The work includes the ongoing maintenance and prosecution of the production company's trademark portfolio, clearance searches and advice and assistance in relation to soft IP disputes.
Amanda McDowall, Helene Whelbourn, Milena Velikova and Alice Martins are key members of the team involved.
- Filing, prosecution, clearance and portfolio management for Next 15 Group
Next 15, a tech and data-driven growth consultancy firm instructed Lee & Thompson to take over representation of its global trademark portfolio in spring 2024. The work includes advising and acting in relation to trademark clearance and territory entry strategies, registry oppositions, IP disputes and international filing strategies. The firm also supports the client in relation to the IP aspects of acquisitions and some of its 22 member agencies on advertising campaign clearance.
Members of the firm involved include Dominic Bray, McDowall, Whelbourn, Velikova and Martins.
- Filing, prosecution, clearance and portfolio management for Varley International
The team acts for contemporary fashion brand Varley in relation to all aspects of its global trademark and IP portfolio. The work includes advising in relation to the protection of Varley’s brands, IP (including design and copyright protection) and devising appropriate filing strategies, prosecuting its trademark applications globally, advising and acting in relation to territory entry strategies, and advising and acting in relation to the policing and enforcement of its IP in the UK and globally, including in relation to counterfeiting and online infringements.
Clients:
Love Productions, Next 15 Group, Varley International, Victoria Beckham
