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Fieldfisher's European intellectual property team has been acknowledged in the 2016 edition of WTR 1000 – the directory of the world's leading trade mark professionals published by World Trademark Review.
WTR 1000 is a standalone research directory that focuses exclusively on trademark practices and practitioners. Presented by World Trademark Review – the independent daily news and information service dedicated exclusively to reporting on strategic and legal trademark issues for in-house and private practitioners internationally.
The directory recognises Fieldfisher for: "the overall level of service – taking into account response times, business acumen, industry knowledge, relevance of advice, strength-in-depth of team, advance notice of costs and value for money…is truly excellent. It is particularly adept at focusing on the commercial nub of a matter and doesn't waste time considering issues which are peripheral to this. It has a wide range of clients and, as a result, has gained enormous market experience and knowledge that benefits each one."
In the UK, the firm is listed in the silver category and three of its lawyers were recognised including Leighton Cassidy, Nick Rose and David Bond. In Belgium the firm is ranked bronze, as are Stijn Debaene and Hakim Haouideg – who are described as "a dream team"; while Nathalie Hadjadj-Cazier and Matt Berger are both listed bronze in France and Germany respectively.
WTR 1000 also acknowledged Fieldfisher's deep bench of European trademark specialists by highlighting, "Fieldfisher has many of Europe’s leading IP practitioners – including Leighton Cassidy, Nick Rose, David Bond, Rebecca Swindells, Bill Lister, Harriet Seymour, Hastings Guise, Stijn Debaene, Hakim Haouideg, Natalie Hadjadj-Cazier, Matthias Berger and Alexandra von Bismarck. They are supported by a large team of lawyers and paralegals. Other leading trademark practitioners include James Martin and Amy Reynolds.
Fieldfisher has recently acted in some of the highest-profile IP disputes, including:
- the leading EU decision to date on unregistered Community designs (Karen Millen);
- numerous contentious trademark and design matters for Crocs, which included defending Crocs’ rights against cancellation actions brought by Lidl and others;
- numerous ongoing disputes for Forbes, including IP due diligence in anticipation of its sale;
- the leading UK decision on the protection of IP rights in character merchandising (Hearst Corporation & Fleischer Studios – the Betty Boop case); and
- the first UK Intellectual Property Office case in which geographically limited protection was granted on the basis of acquired distinctiveness (Scottish SPCA).
Commenting on the rankings, Leighton Cassidy, Co-Head of Intellectual Property at Fieldfisher, said:
"I am delighted with the firm's rankings as it recognises the quality of our service, our cases, our clients and our excellent team of IP practitioners across Europe."