Olswang has an almost unrivalled understanding of, and commitment to, the media, entertainment and digital media space. The team here is recognised as a leading copyright and trade mark portfolio management practice. It also has one of the largest patent attorney offerings within a UK law firm, and has considerably strengthened its patent litigation offering. Key clients include ITV, Sky and Vodafone.

KEY INDIVIDUALS

Michael Burdon leads the firm's IP group and focuses principally on multi-jurisdictional patent litigation. He has enjoyed recent successes in a number of actions on behalf of a leading global medical technology provider. 

Brand protection expert Helen Newman is a highly esteemed figure in the fashion and luxury goods sectors in particular. In this field she assists clients such as the Richemont Group - owners of Chloé, Cartier, Dunhill and Mont Blanc - with the defence of IP assets from infringement and passing-off.

Joel Barry has a leading role co-ordinating Sky's trade mark litigation globally, and manages a dedicated six-strong team. He performs similar work for clients in the art and fashion world.

Campbell Forsyth's arrival at Olswang - a result of the merger of his private practice with the firm - has been a coup for the firm and has further strengthened its position in the tough patent litigation market.

Paul Stevens is at the forefront of the firm's services to major UK broadcasters with regard to their IP rights and how they correspond to catch-up TV online, football fixtures and other issues at the interface of internet and mainstream broadcasting.  

Iain Stansfield is recommended for his abilities as a non-contentious IP lawyer, and for the role he plays in managing the transition of IP rights in large corporate transactions. His clients are drawn largely from the advertising, publishing and retail trades.

Stephen Reese is one of the lead partners managing Vodafone's global trade mark portfolio, and he also handles trade mark and branding work for the Richard Caring Group, which owns upmarket clubs and restaurants Le Caprice, The Ivy and Soho House.

Sarah Wright also helps with the management of the Vodafone trade mark portfolio, and is a go-to lawyer for household-name brands in designer fashion and retail

– Chambers & Partners UK 2013

World Trade Mark Review: Gold Tier.

Celebrated for its integrated approach, Olswang has a single department that handles all of its trademark activities, from filing, prosecution and portfolio management to litigation.

Its "highly active and tremendously proficient" practitioners serve prestigious clients such as British Sky Broadcasting Group PLC, Mittal Steel Company, Guardian Media Group PLC, Cancer Research UK and Nationwide; the team was also recently appointed to Vodafone's legal panel.

The "exceptional" Helen Newman is "commercially minded and bright", and collaborators enthuse that they "like her charm and style". Noted for her know-how in the media and entertainment industry, she also works with luxury goods companies including Richemont and Stella McCartney, and has even taken on artist Damien Hirst's cutting-edge trademark portfolio.

Joel Barry is another partner with "a really punchy, commercial approach", who "always knows what will be best for clients".

Paul Stevens is also a "big name" at the firm with a fantastic trademark practice.

– World Trade Mark Review, 2012

We were delighted to work with Olswang. We chose them because their understanding of technology is second-to-none - we had no concerns about having them work with our best engineers, always confident that they would understand and appreciate the technical nuances. We also chose them because they combined this deep understanding of technology and our business with a slick and hard working style allowing them to be excellent at all aspects of execution.

– General Counsel, Skype

Superb analytical skills, solid practical advice and ability to look at problems from innovative angles.

– Intellectual Asset Management, researching the World's leading patent litigators

These [Intellectual Property] lawyers demonstrate good technical ability and are friendly and approachable.

– Chambers and Partners 2011

The breadth of the [Life Sciences] team's capabilities is illustrated by its work for biopharmaceuticals company Kymab, which includes venture capital, licensing and patent prosecution work.

– Legal 500 2011

Providing 'excellent, business-focused, practical advice', Olswang's patent group acts for clients including GSK, Xerox and The Wellcome Trust, and also handles all patent applications for Microsoft's European operations.

– Legal 500 2011

Olswang's trade mark prosecution team handles global portfolios for clients such as Sky, ITV and CSR plc. Other household-name clients include Tate & Lyle and Stella McCartney.

– Legal 500 2011

Joint IP head Paul Stevens who led this work, 'knows his stuff and is a pleasure to deal with'. One client describes a 'crack team, exemplary, the whole experience has been fantastic. They left no stone unturned'.   

– Legal 500

Olswang's 'responsive, knowledgeable' [Brand Management] team advised LSE-listed marketing services group Creston on the £28m sale of its advertising business, DLKW, and the establishment of Intensity Digital

– Legal 500 2011

Olswang excels in "helping us take control of the full range of market opportunities."

It is best known for its media work, which translates in the IP sphere to a practice that is strong in soft IP and increasingly strong on the patent litigation side as well. It is able to supplement its offering thanks to the expertise of a team of patent attorneys, providing clients with an impressively well-rounded service.

The team acted for Absolute Radio in the dispute over its name and recently advised medical devices company Kinetic Concepts in high-value patent litigation.

– Chambers and Partners 2012

Its seamless service, delivered efficiently and cost effectively, helps to set it apart from some other one-stop shops in the UK market.

– World Trade Mark Review, 2011

Christine De Keersmaeker is the key Brussels contact in Olswang's global IP practice. The team acted alongside London colleagues on matters pertaining to the management of BSkyB's trade mark portfolio. The team also advises Krëfel on IP strategy and represents it in trade mark and domain name matters.

– Legal 500 EMEA 2013

Olswang received a "Special Mention" at the Belgian Legal Awards 2013 in the category 'IP, IT & TMT LAW FIRM OF THE YEAR'

– Belgian Legal Awards 2013