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Copyright and design lawyers
Diverse is the word for Withers' experience in copyright and design.
The variety of the team's work spans from the exploitation of couture collections to a dispute relating to design rights in warheads. We also represent advertising and design agencies, famous individual designers, software companies, banks and financial services providers, manufacturers, charities, museums, artists, sports stars and musicians.Our global presence enables us to advise you on the opportunities to monetize your intellectual property and to protect it robustly if required. We advise on the opportunities for commercial exploitation of copyright works and designs: specifically, we act for a number of leading fashion designers on the commercial exploitation of their collections. We have also been consulted by charities that have been given copyright works as legacies.
We help clients protect and enforce copyright via court proceedings, trading standards and commercial channels. Members of the team have acted extensively in copyright and design right infringement proceedings.
Our team worked on the sale by Natalie Massenet of Net-a-Porter, and is described by the Legal 500 as 'an absolute expert in the luxury goods business'.
Our team spotted the need to protect Issey Miyake's groundbreaking Bao Bao bag, after he noticed that fakes were flooding the market in Milan, where the Japanese brand was opening a flagship store. We immediately began working with them to stop the infringement of Issey Miyake's original design in Europe, the US and Asia.
We acted for 1Malaysia Racing Team in its high-profile £15 million dispute with Force India over allegations of copying, and for the manufacturers of Dr Brown's baby bottles on an infringement action involving their design rights, copyright, patent and trademarks.
Track record
Our team
Sarah Barker
Partner | London
Michael S. Brophy
Partner | Los Angeles
Jacopo Liguori
Partner | Milan
Ali Woodcock-West
Associate | London
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Typical clients and industries include
Art
We represent many of the world’s top art collectors, museums and institutions. Our long history enables us to offer advice on everything from structuring transactions to challenging fraud. Find Out More
Charities and non-profit
Our significant practice in the non-profit sector means our lawyers can handle governance, mergers, commercial projects and day-to-day issues such as employment while you focus on your mission. Find Out More
Luxury brands
Our global team has helped many of the world's finest luxury brands build their businesses and maintain their credibility long-term. Find Out MoreHow else can we help?
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