Nicholas BucklandLegal Director

I advise on the protection and enforcement of intellectual property rights, specialising in IP dispute resolution.  I am also proficient in Mandarin and am Lewis Silkin’s China Desk Lead for IP & Technology. 

I specialise in the protection, exploitation and enforcement across the range of intellectual property rights, including trade marks, copyright, patents, designs and confidential information.

I have particular expertise in protecting and enforcing brands and I act for clients in many different sectors including the retail, manufacturing, engineering, media, financial and technology sectors.

IP Dispute Resolution

I am an experienced dispute resolution lawyer, advising on cases in the High Court (including the Intellectual Property Enterprise Court), Court of Appeal, UKIPO, EUIPO (including the Board of Appeal) and EU General Court, as well as international arbitration.  Recent examples of my work include:

• Acting for Cosmetic Warriors in its action against Amazon in a dispute arising out of a settlement agreement;

• Walton International Ltd v Verweij Fashion BV [2018] EWHC 1608 – acting for Walton International in a case involving trade mark infringement and passing off;

• Acting for Londongrad Limited in a copyright infringement case brought against the BBC;

• Acting for Dyson in claims against Grey Technology Limited (trading as Gtech) and Euro-Pro Europe Limited relating to trade mark infringement and comparative advertising;

• Acting for Trustpilot in claims against two widget providers, in relation to copyright and trade mark infringement and passing off;

• Acting for well-known restaurant Taste of Nawab Limited against Nawab Online Limited in trade mark infringement and passing-off proceedings;

Trade Marks and Portfolio Management

I routinely work with trade mark attorneys and other IP specialists to advise on the registration of trade marks and designs.  I also work with foreign attorneys to manage and enforce the trade mark portfolios of global brands.  I have extensive experience of proceedings before the UK Intellectual Property Office, EU Intellectual Property Office, Intellectual Property Enterprise Court, High Court and EU Courts.

China Desk

Having lived and worked in China (including in a leading Chinese law firm) earlier in my career, I am uniquely placed to advise Chinese clients on protecting their rights in the UK and EU, as well as offering initial strategic advice for domestic clients who wish to expand into the Chinese market.

I also work closely with my colleagues in our Data and Digital, Commerce and Creative and Regulatory teams to act as a bridge for Chinese companies to ensure they are compliant with all local laws and regulations when expanding into the UK and EU.

I have achieved HSK (汉语水平考试) Level 5 (Advanced) in writing and listening and Level 4 (upper-intermediate) in reading.  I have also studied “Mandarin for Lawyers” at SOAS and am the UK representative for the Global Chinese-speaking Lawyers’ Association.