Erika CocciaManaging Associate

I have worked predominantly in private practice in the UK and Italy as well as part of the in-house IP team of a leading luxury holding group. I advise clients on branding, IP identification, clearance searching, watch notices, portfolio management and enforcement. I have expertise in managing large portfolios of trade marks, and in handling complex trade mark oppositions, invalidity and revocation actions before the UK IPO as well as the EU IPO.

My expertise covers representing clients in contentious proceedings before the UK IPO, EU IPO and the Boards of Appeal at the EU IPO, including gathering industry-specific evidence, drafting pleadings and witness statements. I have also managed the prosecution of large trade marks portfolios worldwide.

My area of specialism includes drafting and negotiating global co-existence and settlement agreements in the context of trade mark proceedings before various IP Offices. I have carried out IP due diligence as part of high profile M&A operations.

I assist clients in the food and drinks industry with trade mark clearance searching, pre-filing advice for collective trade marks, in-use investigations for their major brands and sub-brands including branding for marketing campaigns and other projects. I have advised world’s leader producers of alcoholic beverages in the management of their UK trade marks portfolio and in handling complex disputes, including conflicts between geographical indications and trade marks, before the UK IPO and the EU IPO.

I have represented leading Italian fashion and luxury brands and a major UK fashion retailer in the prosecution of their trade marks portfolios as well as in trade mark proceedings before the UK IPO, the EU IPO and other IP Offices worldwide.