Pinsent Masons named ‘UK Trade Mark litigation team of the year’

The ‘UK Trade Mark litigation team of the year’ accolade is awarded based on research for Managing Intellectual Property’s world IP survey, a review of market developments and client feedback.

Pinsent Masons won the award for its successful representation of Interflora on its High Court battle with Marks and Spencer plc. over the use of Google AdWords. In 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, Inc. and Interflora British Unit, 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.  

Pinsent Masons fought off fierce competition from Bird & Bird, Bristows, King & Wood Mallesons SJ Berwin, Redd Solicitors, Taylor Wessing and Wragge & Co.to claim the accolade.

Iain Connor, a Partner who led the Pinsent Masons team advising on the case, said:

 “We are delighted to have won this prestigious award.  The case has set precedent at every level from the Court of Justice of the European Union to the UK Court of Appeal.  It has developed trade mark law in ways that could not have been predicted at the outset of the case and has shown how ‘big data’ can be used to show that online advertising causes customer confusion. It is great to be recognised for the innovative way we successfully presented the evidence in the case to the court.”