Chris Thomas

IP Solicitor, Trade Mark Attorney

BA(Hons), GDL, LPC, PSC

Chris is an IP solicitor. From 2012 onwards he has specialised in commercial dispute resolution before joining Appleyard Lees in April 2019.

Resolving disputes in the High Court, Intellectual Property Enterprise Court and before the UK Intellectual Property Office. Chris also represents clients at mediation and works with specialist counsel preparing cases for trial. He focuses on swift and commercial resolution to a dispute.

Chris acts for a range of commercial clients, which has included a software company defending proceedings for copyright infringement, an e-commerce business defending trade mark infringement proceedings, a gaming company in an international arbitration dispute, an international distributor in trade mark opposition, revocation and invalidation proceedings, and a digital security company in patent infringement proceedings.

Chris’ commercial practice involves handling trade mark and design portfolios nationally and internationally, advising on a range of IP related queries, and a full range of commercial IP drafting, from assignments and licences to NDAs and R&D agreements.

Chris graduated with a BA honours degree in history at the University of Sheffield before completing his graduate diploma at law at the University of Sussex, his legal practice course at the University of Law and his post graduate certificate in IP law at the University of Bournemouth.

AREAS OF PRACTICE IN TRADE MARKS:

• Anti-counterfeiting
• Branding
• Copyright
• Digital technology
• Engineering and construction
• Fashion and beauty
• Filings and applications
• FMCG and consumer healthcare
• Food and drink
• Franchising
• Licensing
• Manufacturing
• Pharma and biosciences
• Professional practices
• Retail
• Sports and leisure
• Valuation

AREAS OF PRACTICE IN DISPUTES:

• Advocacy
• Appeals
• Cease and desist
• Court proceedings
• Dispute resolution
• Domain name disputes
• Enforcement
• Infringement
• Invalidity
• IPEC
• Licensing and royalty agreements
• Mediation