Withers & Rogers

Firm overview:

Withers & Rogers is an IP firm of “very responsive, very practical” trademark, patent and design attorneys. For multinational clients, small and medium-sized enterprises and startups, the trademark group advises on searching, filing, monitoring and IP-related transactional matters. With locations in the UK, Germany and France, Withers & Rogers handles matters before the EU Intellectual Property Office, the German Patent and Trademark Office and Norwegian Industrial Property Office and has represented beauty and luxury brand Chanel in an opposition dispute. For contentious matters, the pan-European firm handles registry disputes and instructs solicitors and barristers for litigation where necessary, maintaining strong relationships with collaborating law firms.

Team overview:

Established in 1884, the long-standing firm has offices in London, Bristol, Warwick and Sheffield and expanded into Europe with its Munich office in 2014. Peers who have worked opposite trademark attorney Mark Caddle “have got respect for him”. Caddle, based in both the London and Sheffield offices, is experienced across brand protection, from global filing programmes to opposition and cancellation disputes.

Key matters:

• Withers & Rogers, on behalf of door technology manufacturer BKS, brought an opposition against storage provider Janus International Group and its application for marks using the words ‘Janus International Europe’ in 2021. The client relied on its own trademarks featuring the word ‘Janus’, registered in 2013. The similarities of the marks were considered, with slight differences in the composition and use of the words ‘International Europe’ on the applicant’s mark. However, the marks both used the dominant word ‘Janus’, deemed highly distinctive, and therefore was deemed likely to cause confusion among consumers. Despite the applicant’s high turnover figures included in the evidence, the matter concluded in favour of Withers & Rogers’ client, and the applicant was refused registration for a number of goods and services.

Clients:

Chanel, BKS