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Trade Marks Committee

The purpose of te Trade Marks Committee is to address matters relating to the protection, use and enforcement of trade marks and brands, including:

• The impact of Brexit.
• Related protection such as PGIs and PDOs, and famous marks, passing off and unfair competition, domain and company names.
• Related areas so far as they relate to the promotion and marketing of goods and services such as comparative advertising, consumer and business protection regulations which often feature in trade mark disputes, customs and import restrictions based around trade mark and brand names (including parallel importation issues), anti-counterfeiting activities and legislation, image rights, privacy and data protection in marketing and product packaging.
• Trade mark related agreements, such as franchising.
• In the UK, under the EU Trade Marks regime, and internationally.
• Including particularly matters at and practice before the UKIPO, EUIPO, WIPO.
• Activities involving Trading Standards, the Advertising Standards Authority and related codes, specific public health regulations (for example tobacco and alcohol), Customs and Excise, Police (Cybercrime and IP Crime units) and Tax (including international tax planning relating to trade marks).
• Reviewing, reporting and commenting on procedures, decisions and judgments in the UK courts (including IPEC), GC and CJEU, and in other jurisdictions internationally.

In particular where they are likely to affect or be relevant to the UK economy and industry, or member’s practices, or their client’s activities and/or in relation to development, advice and lobbying on policy relating to trade marks:

To liaise with other organisations and bodies having an influence, or interest in trade marks (in the broad sense), including:

• IP Offices (including UKIPO, particularly through MDF, EUIPO, WIPO).
• Government including UK Government Departments and MPs, European Parliament and European Commission, particularly in relation to BREXIT.
• International bodies/foreign governments when we can have some influence or benefit to members.
• Other trade mark related bodies/membership organisations specifically in relation to trade mark matters, such as CNIPA, ITMA, INTA, AIPPI and foreign professional bodies in relation to trade mark matters.

Communicating with members, organising and facilitating seminars and webinars, providing education, training and information to members on trade mark matters and issues (and assist PS&T Committee on standards applicable to trade marks work), including:

• Providing a forum for those with a trade mark interest within CIPA to exchange views and ideas and meet.
• Ideas for international relations to promote influence and interests of members in relation to trade mark matters.

Staff contact: Charlotte Martin

List of members

• Alicia Instone (Chair)
• Alex Bajjon
• Jon Banford
• Michael Edenborough KC
• Catriona Hammer
• Lewis Hands
• Paul North Harman
• Richard Mair
• Sophie Maughan
• Bobby Mukherjee
• Alasdair Poore
• Justine Pyecroft
• Tracey Robertson
• Katharine Stephens
• Jan Vleck