Podcast special: Ringside with Brandsmiths and Bird & Bird

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

Copyright © Legal Benchmarking Limited and its affiliated companies 2025

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

Podcast special: Ringside with Brandsmiths and Bird & Bird

MIP Podcast newsletter header banner sample-2000.jpg

IP leaders at Brandsmiths and Bird & Bird, who were on opposing sides at the UK Supreme Court in Iconix v Dream Pairs, unpick the landmark case and its ramifications


In this special episode of the IP Lounge, Ewan Grist, partner at Bird & Bird, and Andy Lee, head of IP at Brandsmiths, join Managing IP editor Max Walters to discuss the Iconix v Dream Pairs trademark case.

Brandsmiths acted for Iconix, while Bird & Bird represented Dream Pairs in this closely followed case. The case had made its way through the courts, finally culminating in the UK Supreme Court’s ruling on June 24.

Ultimately, Bird & Bird secured victory for its client. However, the Supreme Court’s decision also accepted some of the arguments put forward by Iconix, which could have a significant impact on future trademark law.

More details of the case can be found here.

In the podcast we unite the two litigating parties to dig into the ramifications of the case.

On the agenda:

  • What must be considered when assessing “real and representative” circumstances regarding the similarity of trademarks;

  • Post-sale confusion and how it can be a basis for trademark infringement even if there’s no confusion at the point of sale;

  • The possible effects of the ruling on trademark applications and oppositions; and

  • Whether the England and Wales Court of Appeal overreached by interfering with the trial judgment, and what the role of an appeal court should be.

We will be back with another episode later this month. Thank you for listening.

more from across site and SHARED ros bottom lb

More from across our site

The record-breaking $1.5 billion settlement between the AI company and book authors may not lead to rapid resolution of other cases, say copyright lawyers
Leaders at two Brazilian law firms outline strategies to adjust to trademark fee changes at Brazil's IP office while urging clients to apply before September 20
Former in-house counsel Andriana Shultz Daly has returned to the firm with client-side insight and courtroom skills to build the firm’s life sciences practice
The LMG Life Sciences Awards announces the 2025 winners for the 13th annual awards!
News of AI company Cerence accusing Apple of patent infringement and a hiring update from Lewis Silkin were also among the top talking points
The addition of BH EVS as a licensee enhances the outreach of the Qi pool, which now licenses nearly half of the global auto supplier market
Only a few international law firms have made a mark in Australia’s IP market, but Rouse entering the field could be a sign of changing times
Caroline Casalonga reflects on her journey as the French firm’s first female leader and shares her dream of building the outfit into a major European independent IP practice
Firm says the hire of Laura Ramsay will help consolidate its position as a ‘market leader’ for premium IP work
CEO Martyn Fish reflects on the past as HGF celebrates its 30th anniversary and discusses how PE investment has helped the firm’s people and clients
Gift this article