Intellectual Property Litigation

Waterfront Law is a specialist firm of intellectual property lawyers based in London. Our team of IP solicitors have years of experience helping clients protect, manage, exploit, enforce and defend their intellectual property rights.

Our team of IP solicitors have years of experience helping clients protect, manage, exploit, enforce and defend their intellectual property rights.

We act for clients ranging from multinational companies to SMEs, start-ups, founders, creators and individual inventors.

Our IP solicitors help clients protect, manage, commercialise, enforce and defend intellectual property rights across the full spectrum of IP law, including:

• Anti-counterfeiting – helping brand owners prevent and respond to imitation and counterfeit goods through enforcement, online marketplace action and, where appropriate, UK customs applications;
• Copyright and database rights – advising on disputes, licensing, clearance, IP audits, chain of title, and the protection and commercial use of copyright works, data and databases;
• Design rights – advising on registered and unregistered designs, ownership, infringement and validity across overlapping UK and international regimes;
• Know how, trade secrets and confidential information – protecting and commercialising valuable information through contracts, practical safeguards and litigation;
• Patent litigation – acting in infringement, validity and related disputes in the High Court, Patents Court and Intellectual Property Enterprise Court (IPEC);
• Trade marks and brands – advising on clearance, filings and portfolio strategy, licensing and franchising, oppositions, invalidity and revocation, passing off, infringement and litigation; and
• Domain name law – acting for complainants and respondents under the Nominet DRS and UDRP and advising on cybersquatting and brand misuse.

Why Waterfront?

Our IP team is recognised by Chambers and Partners, The Legal 500 and World Trademark Review. Current feedback highlights our specialist knowledge, responsiveness, commercial awareness and practical approach.

Our IP offering is partner-led, giving clients direct access to experienced specialists while keeping teams proportionate and costs under control.

The Joint Heads of Intellectual Property and Dispute Resolution are Matthew Harris and Piers Strickland, experienced litigators across trade marks, copyright, designs, patents, confidential information and technology disputes.

We combine robust advocacy with a practical, commercial approach, identifying early the client’s objectives and the most proportionate route to resolution – whether urgent court action, negotiation, mediation or a longer-term enforcement strategy.

Our associates work closely with the partners, with each matter resourced according to its value, complexity and urgency.

We act in complex High Court IP disputes, including matters with international or multi-jurisdictional elements.

We also have substantial IPEC experience and advise early on forum, procedure, costs and settlement strategy so that the litigation route matches the commercial objective.

Our clients span technology, media and entertainment, fashion, consumer goods, food and drink, financial services and engineering. Recent matters include Court of Appeal trade mark litigation, copyright disputes concerning immersive works, and trade secret claims.

We act for clients across the UK and internationally, coordinating cross-border strategy through a trusted network of foreign IP lawyers where required.