Forresters IP
Firm overview:
Full-service IP firm Forresters is recognised for having particular strengths in trademark prosecution, portfolio management and brand protection. The team provides transparent, practical advice to a diverse international client base. Operating as a European firm, Forresters has offices in the UK and Germany and covers global trademark strategy, filing, and enforcement, as well as navigating complex contentious proceedings.
Team overview:
After 40 years in IP—and having joined the firm in 1985—Forresters partner Steven Wake retired last year. Wake specialised in all aspects of UK and international trademark practice, and was known for securing registration of seemingly unregistrable marks.
Well-established members of the bench include Liverpool partner Kate Cruse who advises clients worldwide on their trademark filing strategy. A client holds Cruse in high esteem for “working diligently” on the company’s on-contentious trademarks matters. Cruse also carries out a broad range of contentious work and works directly with clients in industries such as financial and clothing.
Managing partner Matthew Shaw, who has been with the firm for over 30 years, draws on his technical expertise as a patent attorney in his trademark practice and uses an analytical approach to understand clients’ brands.
Key matters:
- Golden Bear Products Limited - IP support for beloved toy manufacturer
Golden Bear Products Limited is a British toy manufacturing company in business for over 40 years ago and have been a longstanding client of the firm.
Foresters supported Golden Bear Products on the IP aspects of turning some of the UK’s favourite children’s TV characters (In the Night Garden, Sooty) into high-quality toys. The firm also supported Golden Bear with the launch of its own “Bear Faced Games” such as Farty Freddie, toys (Curlimals) and exercise equipment, most recently their Soccer Bot / Kick Tracker / Counter Ball range under their strikesphere trade mark. Forresters also assisted with copyright enquiries relating to music used for toys and games.
- Horiba Mira Limited - Clearance, prosecution, oppositions and enforcement work for long-established vehicle engineering company
Forrester partner Janette Hamer manages the trademark portfolio for 80 year-old vehicle engineering, test and development consultancy, HORIBA MIRA Limited.
A long-standing firm client, HORIBA MIRA Limited has over 40 testing facilities located at their automotive technology park including an 850-acre proving ground with over 100km travel capability for vehicles.
Hamer deals with all aspects of the consultancy’s portfolio work from clearance, applications, prosecution, opposition work and enforcement including cross-border litigation and cancellation proceedings.
- Moss Bros Group Limited - Trade mark services for iconic British clothing brand
Senior Associate Mark Bhandal regularly leads on contentious work for popular UK clothing brand, Moss Bros Group Limited (trading as MOSS) in the EU and USA as the client expands its trade mark portfolio worldwide.
MOSS maintains a pro-active oppositions strategy against third party infringement. Forresters was successful against an EUTM for MOSSO and a US application for BON MOSS. Forresters was also successful in a Company Names Action Tribunal against a similar company name. The third party was forced to change its name.
Clients:
Condor Group, Honor, Huawei, Moss Bros, Montirex, Sony, The Scouts Association
