James Seadon

I am a partner in the Intellectual Property and Technology team and Head of Data Disputes in Fieldfisher's London office.

I advise clients around the world on IP, technology, cybersecurity and privacy, specialising in resolving disputes.  I'm ranked by publications including World Trademark Review 2021 ("Data disputes head Seadon combines his prowess in IP battles with a fine-grained understanding of technology and cybersecurity") and The Legal 500 UK 2021 ("… incredibly hardworking and thorough … really [goes] the extra mile for the client").  Other legal directories where I have been featured include IP Stars 2018, singling out my "innovative and practical" advice, and Legal 500 UK 2018, where client feedback described me as "absolutely outstanding".

I have well over a decade's experience in data protection and privacy, primarily cybersecurity, data breach response and data protection litigation (including controller v processor and controller v data subject). I also spent a number of years as an in-house IP and data protection counsel at a multinational telco.  I'm a specialist in resolving tech issues, including project disputes.
 
My IP practice includes copyright, database rights, confidential information, trade secrets, designs and trade marks.  In franchising my successful reported cases include ChipsAway v Kerr (Court of Appeal) and Carewatch v Focus (High Court).   
 
I have litigation experience up to the Supreme Court but also an excellent track record of resolving complex disputes without involving the courts, for example in mediation.
I teach IP (particularly copyright), amongst others to masters students in the University of Cambridge Institute of Biotechnology and delegates on the Music Publishers Association's induction course.
 
My professional memberships include the American Intellectual Property Law Association, AIPPI UK, INTA, and the Society for Computers and Law. I chair AIPLA's International Copyright Issues subcommittee.
 
In 2009, I co-founded IPSoc (the society for junior IP practitioners). I was twice elected Chairman, and remained an active committee member for six years.