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IP, technology and commercial contracts

We have a dedicated team of IP, technology and commercial contract specialists. They are experienced in contentious and non-contentious legal matters and have been involved in many high profile transactions and reported cases. Much of our work has international reach.

Our technical expertise is augmented by a detailed knowledge of many sectors of industry including retail, fashion, media, sport, IT, publishing, insurance, advertising, energy and gaming.

Core specialisms include trade mark, patent, copyrights and design rights, IT and communications, outsourcing, advertising and marketing, commercial contracts, competition, due diligence and audits.

  • "They make us feel like we are the most important clients" - Chambers UK 2010
  • "Reynolds Porter Chamberlain LLP's 'awesome strength and depth' earns it a higher ranking this year" - The Legal 500, 2008 edition
  • "Reynolds Porter Chamberlain LLP is a substantial commercial firm and one of the country's leading … media and technology practices" - The Legal 500, 2007 edition
  • "Clients speak of superb tactical planning, faultless execution of strategy" - The Legal 500, 2007 edition
  • "Probably the best return on investment we have ever experienced from a legal team" - The Legal 500, 2007 edition

Examples of relevant work

Contentious

  • Associated Newspapers Ltd v Express Newspapers Ltd (trade mark)
  • Leofelis v Lonsdale Sports Ltd (trade marks)
  • Sir Robert McAlpine Ltd v Alfred McAlpine Plc (passing-off)
  • Royal & Sun Alliance v Motivano (IT)
  • Oakley Inc v Animal Ltd (designs)

Non-contentious

  • Advising Tesco Stores Ltd on its highly innovative and strategically critical £100m+ Next Generation Network Project. The project will streamline and consolidate Tesco's global telecommunications services under a major outsourcing arrangement and will bring together all of its existing communications infrastructure (over 1,800 sites and 4,000 people in 16 countries). We worked closely with Tesco throughout the contract process in a project involving our specialist technology and outsourcing teams
  • Advising Waterstone's Booksellers Limited with the procurement of a new centralised distribution system and automated consolidation centre to be managed by Unipart Logistics. This 10-year €200m arrangement will handle over 70 million books annually, from receiving them from suppliers through to delivery to high street stores and internet customers, making it an absolutely critical strategic development for Waterstone's
  • Establishment of a social networking site and electronic gift vouchers system for HMV Group Plc
  • Major international trade mark and copyright acquisition and licensing agreements for Sportsworld including Umbro, No Fear and Lonsdale brands
  • £350m acquisition of European trade mark portfolio of tissue products by SCA AB from Proctor & Gamble plc
  • Acquisition of Hit Entertainment Plc (owner of Thomas the Tank Engine and Bob the Builder) by Apax for circa £450m
  • £60m equipment fit-out of new print site for Associated Newspapers Limited

For more information about our IP, technology & commercial contracts practice please contact Jeremy Drew (jeremy.drew@rpc.co.uk) To read our latest IP publications, click here.To read our Technology publications, click here.