Managing IP’s most-read stories in May 2019

Managing IP is part of Legal Benchmarking Limited, 1-2 Paris Gardens, London, SE1 8ND

Copyright © Legal Benchmarking Limited and its affiliated companies 2026

Accessibility | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Modern Slavery Statement

Managing IP’s most-read stories in May 2019

5-best-thumb

A plea from Johnson & Johnson’s chief trademark counsel to be “less lawyerly”, the latest AI patent trends and a Google counsel’s explanation of why he has had to fire attorneys were among May’s most popular stories.



5-best-main

1. INTA 2019: “Be a little less lawyerly,” says Johnson & Johnson counsel

The most popular story came from the INTA 2019 Annual Meeting and focussed on comments from Johnson & Johnson’s trademark counsel David McDonald. Talking about the need for in-house lawyers to focus on the wider needs of the business, he said: “Rarely are we performing our roles in a vacuum.”

2. Fordham Conference: Outside counsel are an “an extension of your brand”

Also popular was our report from the Fordham Conference at the start of the month. In-house counsel from Google and other companies discussed how they work internally and with external counsel.

3. From AI to visual display: report sheds light on US patent filing trends   

Third on the list was our analysis of a report by law from Harrity & Harrity which concluded that artificial intelligence and blockchain are increasingly prominent in the portfolios of the US’s top 300 patentees.

4. Survey: In-house TM counsel must embrace a more business mindset

The fourth most-read article covered the results of Managing IP’s survey of in-house trademark counsel. The survey found that counsel are increasingly expected to play the role of business partner but are largely embracing this change.

5. From Brexit to social media: six key issues affecting IP and fashion

Finally, readers enjoyed our report on the key issues affecting IP and fashion where in-house counsel at Ted Baker and specialist fashion lawyers shared their tips with us.



more from across site and SHARED ros bottom lb

More from across our site

Despite a broader slowdown in US IP partner hiring in 2025, litigation demand drove aggressive lateral expansion at select firms
Winston Taylor is expected to launch in May 2026 with more than 1,400 lawyers across the US, UK, Europe, Latin America and the Middle East
News of White & Case asking its London staff to work from the office four days a week and a loss for Canva at the Delhi High Court were also among the top talking points
With boutiques offering an attractive alternative to larger firms, former Gilbert’s partner Nisha Anand says her new firm will be built on tech-smart practitioners, flexible fees, and specialised expertise
IP specialists Jonathan Moss and Jessie Bowhill, who worked on cases concerning bitcoin, Ed Sheeran, and the Getty v Stability AI dispute, received the KC nod
Hannah Brown, an active AIPPI member, argues that DEI commitments must be backed up with actions, not just words
A ruling in the Kodak v Fujifilm dispute and a win for Google were among the major recent developments
Nick Aries and Elizabeth Louca at Bird & Bird unpick the legal questions raised by a very public social media spat concerning the ‘Brooklyn Beckham’ trademark
Michael Conway, who joined Birketts after nearly two decades at an IP boutique, says he was intrigued by the challenge of joining a general practice firm
The private-equity-backed firm said hires from DLA Piper and Eversheds Sutherland will help it become the IP partner of choice for innovative businesses
Gift this article