27 Jun 2014 | 10:15 am |
International law firm Pinsent Masons has won the prestigious 'IP Team of the Year' award at The Lawyer Awards 2014.
The firm secured the accolade for its role advising Interflora on the landmark Google AdWords litigation against Marks & Spencer.
On Tuesday, 21 May 2013, the High Court of England and Wales handed down its judgment in the long running case of Interflora, Inc. and Interflora British Unit versus Marks and Spencer plc.
Mr Justice Arnold ruled in favour of Interflora, finding that Marks and Spencer's use of the "Interflora" trade mark as a Google AdWord to advertise its M&S Flowers & Gifts website was trade mark infringement.
Iain Connor, a partner who led the Pinsent Masons team, said: "We are delighted to have won this prestigious award and to have advised on such a significant case which has had and will continue to have an impact on keyword advertising across the world.
"The case broke new ground regarding the evidence required to show consumer confusion, with Pinsent Masons devising a strategy utilising Google Analytics and other online metrics rather than traditional survey evidence."
Pinsent Masons fought off stiff competition from Hogan Lovells, King & Wood Mallesons SJ Berwin, Lewis Silkin, Taylor Wessing and Wragge Lawrence Graham & Co.
The Interflora mandate, secured in 2008, was listed as one of The Lawyer's top 20 cases for 2013 and is a 'first of type' case with implications on keyword advertising across the globe.
Multinational law firm Pinsent Masons MPillay has advised Southeast Asian energy company Coro Energy plc on the sale of Coro Europe Limited to Zodiac Energy plc.
Multinational law firm Pinsent Masons has advised Desay SV Automotive Europe GmbH, a fully owned subsidiary of Huizhou Desay SV Automotive Co, Ltd, on the sale of its spare parts business to ATTB Antennentechnik Bad Blankenburg GmbH.
Multinational law firm Pinsent Masons advised DCC Energy, a division of the leading international sales, marketing, and support services group DCC plc on the acquisition of Progas Group, a leading distributor of LPG in Germany.
Multinational law firm Pinsent Masons has hired intellectual property and technology partner Maureen Daly to lead its IP team in Dublin and expand its pan-European Technology, Science and Industry sector capabilities.
Multinational law firm Pinsent Masons has hired European and UK life sciences partner Kristina Cornish into its London office.
Multinational law firm Pinsent Masons is advising the City of Munich in appeal proceedings brought by the organisers of a planned Oktoberfest event in Dubai. The organisers provided cease-and-desist undertakings, thereby in effect accepting a preliminary injunction issued in this landmark case by the District Court in favour of the City of Munich.
For all media enquiries, including arranging an interview with one of our spokespeople, please contact the press office on
Location contacts
Europe: [email protected]
Asia: [email protected]
Middle East: [email protected]
Australia: [email protected]