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Chartered Trade Mark Attorney
LL.B, Hons. Law Degree
LL.M. (Cambridge), Masters of Law Degree
James is one of the most experienced trade mark attorneys in Europe; having progressed to registration thousands of applications since the start of the EU-wide registration system and current UK law. After eight years of studying law or working in solicitors' firms, James has accumulated a couple of decades’ worth of experience in intellectual property strategy and protection.
His client base is exceptionally broad, including law firms, manufacturers in a variety of industry sectors, charities, start-ups and SMEs. All of his clients benefit from the same wealth of experience and knowledge of target markets and competitors. He is described as 'dilligent and creative' in the World Trade mark Review 1000.
James has dealt with more than 2,500 oppositions, including 700 oppositions for one company alone. All this experience and the volume of cases means that he runs an efficient team, has great knowledge of adversaries and devises creative solutions. He is outcome-focused and client centric.
He has delivered successful registrations in more than 170 countries throughout the Commonwealth, the Caribbean, Europe, China and North America.
Whether you are launching a new brand or have an established brand to protect, James can help protect your brand assets. His particular specialisms include:
James has also assisted many government agencies, both in the UK and overseas, such as in Iceland and France. His pro bono work began in Bethnal Green Law Centre and he often advises on trade mark issues pro bono.
He has also spoken at the EU Commission and to trade bodies on anti-counterfeiting, and at law firms on financial services trade mark law. He has trained clients and colleagues on all manner of trade mark issues, but in particular saving money with trade mark budgets.
Mon 7th Dec 2020
Nine benefits of IP licensing for the licenseeIf you have established some strong marketing channels, with an extensive database, good customer knowledge and a productive sales engine, you may be on the lookout for new products which might compliment your existing portfolio.
Read moreWed 25th Nov 2020
UK IPO demands UK address for service from 1 January 2021Subject to final legislative implementation, from 1 January 2021 you will need an address for service in the UK, Gibraltar or the Channel Islands for new UK patent, registered trade mark and registered design applications, for granted EP(UK) patents if a representative for the proprietor is to be appointed, and for any proceedings concerning patents. An address for service in the EEA will no longer be acceptable.
Read moreSat 31st Oct 2020
Brand owners’ guide to using trade marksBusiness owners and start-up companies who have registered a trade mark are sometimes unsure of the rules regarding the use of the mark. Trade mark attorney, James Cornish, has compiled this handy guide for brand owners on how to use trade marks. The guide outlines the key roles of trade mark use, for both your own trade marks and those registered by other brand owners.
Read moreFri 30th Oct 2020
How to oppose or defend a trade mark application in the EUIf you have invested in a trade mark for your brand anywhere in Europe, then you will want to maximise its power and ensure that potential competitors do not infringe your valuable intellectual property to take advantage with their marketing initiatives. James Cornish, at Page White and Farrer, has created this handy flow chart for brand owners to explain how to oppose or defend a trade mark application in the EU.
Read moreSun 25th Oct 2020
How to oppose or defend a trade mark application in the UKIf you have invested in a trade mark for your brand, then you will want to maximise its power and ensure that potential competitors do not creep too close and infringe your valuable intellectual property with their marketing initiatives. James Cornish has created this handy flow chart for brand owners to explain the process of opposing or defending a trade mark application in the UK.
Read moreThu 15th Oct 2020
Guide to the UK trade mark process for overseas attorneysThe UK trade mark process may be daunting to an overseas attorney who is new to it so we have put together this handy flow chart to give you a set by step guide to protecting brand identity in the UK.
Read moreThu 15th Oct 2020
Guide to the EU trade mark process for overseas attorneysThe EU trade mark process may be daunting to an overseas attorney who is new to it so we have put together this handy flow chart to give you a set by step guide to protecting brand identity in the EU.
Read moreWed 14th Oct 2020
Sharp rise in monthly filings of trade marks and designs at UK IPO during lockdownFigures published by the UK Intellectual Property Office show a marked upturn in the number of filings of trade mark and design right applications since April 2020.
Read moreMon 12th Oct 2020
Brand owners’ guide to obtaining an EU trade markTrying to obtain an EU trade mark? Track your trade mark throughout the process and know when key decisions need to be made by downloading our free guide.
Read moreMon 5th Oct 2020
Brand owners' guide to obtaining a UK trade markDownload our free guide to the UK trade mark process for brand owners. Our handy flow chart explains the roles of the trade mark attorney and the UK Intellectual Property Office, and also which key decisions will be required by the brand owner.
Read moreFri 25th Sep 2020
Brexit and IP – Implications for trade marks and registered designs (patents not affected)This is a brief note on the position concerning how EU-wide trade marks and EU-wide registered designs will be affected by Brexit from 1 January 2021. The advice below is applicable to trade marks and designs equally.
Please note the European Patent Office is not an EU institution and European patents and patent applications are not affected by Brexit.
This is a very important notice for the owners of EU-wide trade marks and designs. Please contact us if you have any questions.
Mon 24th Aug 2020
Is it time to carry out an intellectual property audit?An audit of your intellectual property will pay dividends as it enables a business to identify new revenue streams, enhance business value, implement best practice, assess and reduce the risk of competition. It is particularly important for any business with a strong brand or knowledge-based products or services.
Read moreWed 12th Aug 2020
8 reasons to obtain a trade mark registration for your logoYour logo is an important part of your branding, and the last thing you want is to see another business using an identical or very similar logo that might cause confusion amongst customers and which could devalue your brand.
Read moreFri 10th Jul 2020
Startup slip up #2 - Failing to check potential brand names with a trade mark attorneyGreat business ideas usually start off with a working title, as entrepreneurs focus on product development, designs, packaging logistics and business plans.
Read moreThu 28th May 2020
Common errors when registering a trade mark in the insurance sectorWhen establishing a new brand, it is important to avoid spending time and resources on registering a trade mark brand which is likely to be refused by the Intellectual Property Office.
Read moreWed 1st Apr 2020
How to be more successful in securing a trade mark registration in the insurance sectorThe following presentation highlights eight common mistakes made during trade mark applications, and illustrates each one with specific examples from the insurance sector.
Read moreFri 27th Mar 2020
UK trade marks and design rights and UK IPO service changes due to Covid-19 disruptionThe UKIPO announced changes to its services on 27 March 2020 as a result of the business /postal disruption during the coronavirus pandemic.
Read moreWed 11th Mar 2020
Nine key benefits of licensing intellectual property for the licensorFinding and entering new markets is key to the growth of any business, whether this is selling to a new industry sector or into a foreign territory. But this can be time-consuming and labour intensive and difficult to do well if you do not have anyone who speaks the language, understands the sector or is familiar with differences in the cultural or regulatory environment.
Read moreMon 2nd Mar 2020
System1 sings the praises of expert trade mark attorney James Cornish and his teamFor 12 years, Page White and Farrer has worked closely with System1, a UK-based marketing and brand consultant, supporting them in all their trade mark registrations and protecting their intellectual property across the globe.
Read moreFri 11th Oct 2019
Startup slip up #1 – Don’t overshare your ideasWhilst it is understandable to be enthusiastic about a proposed new brand, or product-line, don’t make the mistake of oversharing your ideas.
Read moreMon 5th Aug 2019
Standard Chartered Great City RaceOn 16 July, members of Page White and Farrer laced up their running shoes and took part in the Standard Chartered Great City Race in London.
Read moreMon 24th Jun 2019
New horizons through the highland haze… James Cornish and Oliver Spies get ready for the 38th ECTA Annual ConferenceOn 26 June, attorneys James Cornish and Oliver Spies will be attending the ECTA Conference in Edinburgh.
Read moreFri 17th May 2019
Tackling Brexit and trade marks at the 141st INTA Annual Meeting in BostonFrom 18 to 22 May 2019, James Cornish, Oliver Spies and Taryn Byrne will be representing Page White and Farrer at the 2019 INTA Annual Meeting in Boston, Massachusetts.
Read moreWed 13th Feb 2019
Embracing change at the 2019 Europe ConferenceOn 18 and 19 February, James Cornish will be representing Page White and Farrer at the 2019 INTA Europe Conference in Paris, France.
Read moreFri 23rd Nov 2018
Customs watch: Discovery of counterfeit imports (part 2)When seeking to protect your brand from cheap counterfeits, it is advisable to set up a customs watch but what happens when customs officials discover fake goods?
Read moreMon 29th Oct 2018
Customs watch: How to protect your brand from counterfeit imports (part 1)In a typical year, counterfeit goods with a retail value of over €600 million are seized by customs across the European Union. Counterfeits entering the European Union include goods from China, Iran, Turkey, India and Hong Kong. Around 5 per cent of the seizures in the EU are in the UK.
Read moreTue 25th Sep 2018
UK Government provides guidance on 'no deal' Brexit scenario for intellectual propertyOn 24 September, the UK government released its latest pre-Brexit updates for businesses in regard to the implications for intellectual property. These papers outline the situation in the event of a ‘no deal’ scenario, explain the implications for businesses in the UK, the EU and other countries, and they highlight any actions which are required by businesses and other stakeholders.
Read moreMon 2nd Jul 2018
Four key actions for your trade marks in view of BrexitThe outcome, implications and effect of Brexit remain unknown and unclear. However on 19 March 2018 the European Commission published a draft agreement indicating terms that have been agreed with the UK in the event of a wider agreement concerning Brexit and those yet to be agreed.
Read moreFri 18th May 2018
A cocktail of conference trade marks before the EU IPOThis week at INTA 10,600 brand owners and intellectual property experts from 150 countries will be congregating in Seattle to discuss the latest developments in trade mark protection around the world.
Read moreWed 18th Apr 2018
Trade Mark Jargon Buster - An A-Z of legal termsDeceptive? Descriptive? Distinctive? Do you know the difference when it comes to trade marks? The Page White and Farrer trade mark team has put together a helpful glossary of terms for brand owners and brand managers.
Read moreMon 2nd Oct 2017
EU IPO Board of Appeal Decisions and Judgments of the General CourtJames Cornish, Chartered Trade Mark Attorney, reviews the EU IPO Appeal Board and General Court pharmaceutical case law, between January and August 2017 in advance of the Pharmaceutical Trade Mark Group “PTMG” Autumn conference, to provide concise guidance on recent legal principles to help win pharmaceutical cases.
Read moreFri 22nd Sep 2017
James Cornish to attend Pharmaceutical Trade marks Group Conference in Toronto, 4-7 October‘Pharmaceutical Trademarks Today – As tough as a hockey game!’ is the title of the PTMG’s 95th Autumn Conference in Toronto, Canada from 4 to 7 October 2017. European trade mark attorney James Cornish will be attending on behalf of Page White and Farrer.
Read moreWed 20th Sep 2017
How not to end up before the UK Advertising Standards AuthorityThere are over 200 UK laws and regulations governing promotional communications and advertising and, while consumers increasingly use social media to make direct complaints, a key part of the control of advertising in the UK is the Advertising Standards Authority (the ASA). This is a self-regulated, non-government body paid for largely by the advertising industry, which regulates the content of adverts, sales promotions and direct marketing and has established codes.
Read moreFri 15th Sep 2017
How can the UK laws on misleading marketing impact on the use of trade marks?James Cornish, trade mark attorney at Page White and Farrer discusses the current UK laws on misleading marketing and how these laws could impact on the way trade marks are used.
Read moreFri 1st Sep 2017
31 Prohibited activities for brand owners when marketing to consumers in the UKBrand protection and trade mark attorney James Cornish offers some essential advice for brand owners about marketing to consumers in the UK and following best marketing practices to avoid black listed activites.
Read moreWed 23rd Aug 2017
Can you defend a trade mark from a non-use action if it has been used in a different or altered form?Trade mark registrations in the UK and EU may be cancellable if they have not been used for a five year period and there are no proper reasons for the non-use.
Read moreTue 15th Aug 2017
What unfair commercial practices are prohibited in UK consumer marketing?Are you aware of the unfair commercial practices which are prohibited in UK consumer marketing? James Cornish, chartered trade mark attorney at Page White and Farrer explains.
Read moreTue 1st Aug 2017
What are the UK controls on misleading marketing activities in business to business sales?There are many rules governing the sale of goods, so when selling your branded goods or services you should note that criminal liability can sometimes arise in the context of marketing materials that do not comply with these rules.
Read moreMon 5th Jun 2017
White paper: UK Company Name Squatters – Review of decisions by Company Names Tribunal 2008 to 2016Since the UK Company Names Tribunal was set up in 2008, it has decided nearly 700 cases of disputes about opportunistic names registered at UK Companies House.
Read moreMon 5th Jun 2017
Case study: How the Buenos Aires Café used a trade mark registration to stand out from the crowdFor business owners and start-up companies it is important that you protect your brand identity by obtaining a trade mark. With a registered trade mark you are in a stronger position to protect your brand if another business tries to use a similar name. This was the case for the owner of Buenos Aires Café, who called on the trade mark attorneys at Page White and Farrer after a competing restaurant group sought to register a similar brand at the UK intellectual Property Office.
Read moreFri 2nd Jun 2017
Case study: Computer games company safeguards brand for clothing merchandiseIf you own a trade mark for your brand it is important that you preserve its value by looking out for any trade mark applications from potential competitors which might be similar to yours. This was the case for the owner of a leading computer games company, who instructed the help of the trade mark team at Page White and Farrer after the UK Intellectual Property Office received a trade mark application for a name used in the successful game.
Read moreMon 16th Jan 2017
Can slogans be registered as trade marks in the UK or EU?If you, or your brand agency, have spent days, or even weeks, drafting the perfect slogan for your business or product, then you may wonder if it’s possible to protect this element of your branding.
Read moreFri 13th Jan 2017
Can a brand that some might consider immoral or offensive be protected by a trade mark registration in the UK and EU?When launching or promoting any brand it can be a challenge to get noticed in the market place, and some companies choose to take a controversial approach via the use of shock advertising - an approach which ‘deliberately, rather than inadvertently, startles and offends its audience by violating norms for social values and personal ideals’. Other companies might find themselves offending groups of people inadvertently due to differing cultural norms and differences arising from use of language and translation.
Read moreWed 11th Jan 2017
Seniority claims for trade marks in the EUAs your business grows and you expand into new markets, then there will be strategic decisions to take about how best to manage your international portfolio of trade marks. One key consideration is whether to take advantage of a seniority claim.
Read moreMon 9th Jan 2017
Benefits of a trade mark priority claimIf you sell products, or services internationally, then you will need to consider where and when to register trade marks to protect the intellectual property in your branding. Planning your approach is an important part of your IP strategy.
Read moreThu 10th Nov 2016
Recording changes of name, assignments, mergers and divisions in relation to trade marksIt is good housekeeping to ensure that any Intellectual Property Office records are kept up to date to reflect the correct owner details for your trade marks.
Read moreWed 9th Nov 2016
IP Scam #4 – Beware of fake EU trade mark invitationsPlease be wary of unsolicited correspondence after you have filed a UK trade mark application as it may be a scam and sent by a fraudster.
Read moreTue 8th Nov 2016
Protecting your trade marks across the European Union at the EU Intellectual Property OfficeThe EU trade mark system is a money-saving, advantageous system for those interested in operating in EU states who want a system that is quick and easy to use. Brand owners can protect their trade marks in all member states of the EU by way of a single application.
Read moreFri 4th Nov 2016
International trade mark protection in many countries using the Madrid ProtocolThe Madrid international application system for trade marks offers a money-saving, convenient and simple scheme for brand owners who want to protect their trademarks in numerous countries.
Read moreWed 2nd Nov 2016
IP Scam #3 – Beware of international copycat domain claimsEach week we are notified by a client to say that they have been contacted by an official-looking Chinese domain name company with a notification that a third party is trying to register their brands as Chinese domain names and asking if this is authorised.
Read moreWed 26th Oct 2016
IP Scam #2 – Beware of phony trade mark databasesAs trade mark registrations are in the public domain, scammers are able to obtain your details from the publicly accessible official trade mark registers.
Read moreWed 19th Oct 2016
IP Scam #1 – Beware fake trade mark renewal noticesTo ensure that you do not pay unnecessary costs, businesses interested in trade marks should be on their guard against fraudsters and scams relating to trade marks.
Read moreMon 17th Oct 2016
Protecting your brand with a watching service to monitor trade marks, company names and domain namesProtecting the uniqueness of your brand is important if you wish to preserve its value and reduce the risk of market erosion from competitors. It is therefore advisable to look out for any other trade mark applications, company names and domain names that are similar to yours and might cause concern.
Read moreMon 26th Sep 2016
How to defend your UK company name against an objection at the Company Names Tribunal from another businessThe Company Names Tribunal provides a service for determining disputes about whether names registered at UK Companies House should be changed, due to the earlier rights of others.
Read moreWed 1st Jun 2016
European trade marks - Business as usual post BrexitFollowing the decision for the UK to leave the EU, James Cornish, of European IP specialists Page White and Farrer, provides some reassurances to brand owners and their advisers on the position regarding existing and future intellectual property rights in Europe.
Read moreTue 1st Mar 2016
New improvements to the European Union trade mark registration systemChanges are being made to the European Union trade mark registration system. In this article, James Cornish, trademarks specialist at Page White and Farrer, highlights some of the key changes. Most changes take effect on 23 March 2016.
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