The long running battle between brand owners and Google is over for now. In a much anticipated decision of the European Court of Justice ("ECJ"), on 23 March 2010, the ECJ has said that Google is not liable for trade mark infringement in allowing advertisers to purchase keywords corresponding to the trade marks of brand owners as part of the Google AdWords program.

Umbro has breached an exclusive licensing agreement with a US based sportswear company for the sale of its soccer-based clothing in the US by allowing another company to market goods subject to the exclusive licence.

Harbottle & Lewis's old office has recently been renovated and re-opened as a serviced office facility run by Mayfair Point. The offices are in a fantastic location for the fashion industry directly above Bond Street tube on the corner of Oxford Street and South Molton Street and directly opposite the main Oxford Street department stores.

South Molton Street is at the heart of the London fashion industry and is a great location with its pedestrianised walk ways, designer boutiques, cafes, coffee shops and restaurants.

Mayfair Point is pleased to offer clients bright and modern office accommodation with the highest standards of IT and telecommunications services. If you are interested why not visit the website at www.mayfairpoint.com or contact the business centre manager Anna Kourdoulous at anna@mayfairpoint.com or on 020 7409 5101 to arrange a visit.

We offer clients a full trade mark clearance and filing service, as well as a portfolio management service. We provide strategic advice on the protection of trade marks, working with clients to ensure the most appropriate and cost effective protection is obtained. We also manage trade mark portfolios for clients, ensuring that regular reviews occur and that renewals and other formalities are all attended to. We are able to advise on conflicts with third parties when they arise, whether before or after registration of a trade mark, and have considerable experience of handling and defending trade mark opposition proceedings, invalidity and cancellation actions and trade mark infringement actions.

Our trade mark agency practice is headed by Rebecca Davis who is a UK registered Trade Mark Attorney and a European Trade Mark Attorney with 14 years experience in the trade mark field. Rebecca works closely with the wider IP team, including partners Andy Millmore, Mark Owen and Shireen Peermohamed, in relation to the protection, exploitation and enforcement of trade mark rights. We also have a network of contacts overseas whom we can call upon for advice and assistance when needed.

As we are at the heart of the media, entertainment and fashion sectors, we have wide-ranging experience and expertise in supporting creative clients and have developed a deep understanding of the fashion industry.

Our clients include designers, manufacturers, distributors, model agencies, retailers, photographers and models. We are involved from the creation of rights through to their ultimate distribution and exploitation. The Fashion Group works alongside clients as closely as possible so that we understand their commercial and legal requirements. Our advice is cost-effective and our solutions tailor made.

Our work includes:

• Advising on branding and protection of designs
• Brand enforcement and anti-counterfeiting
• Drafting terms & conditions
• Drafting licensing and manufacturing agreements
• Advice on agency agreements
• Advice on distribution agreements
• Reputation management
• Debt collection
• Advising on commercial and corporate arrangements

Examples of relevant work can be found on the Fashion page of our website.