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Penny Nicholls
Partner

Registered Trade Mark Attorney
European Trade Mark Attorney
European Design Attorney

Office Location: London


December 2009: Penny Nicholls has received the Lifetime Achievement award at the IP WorldLeaders Awards, which took place in London on 2 December 2009.

The Lifetime Achievement award recognises the consistent and demonstrable track record of a widely respected individual whose career has been recognised by leadership in the intellectual property field and was open to individuals from all world regions. Penny was selected from a shortlist of 7 nominees. For more information please visit the IP WorldLeaders website: www.ipworldleaders.com

MIPExpertGuidesLogo April 2009: Penny Nicholls features as a leading UK trade mark attorney in the 'MIP Expert Guide to the Leading Trade Mark Law Practitioners' 2009.

Specialist Fields

  • High level trade mark advice work from clearance to enforcement
  • Has co-ordinated litigation for client involved in a world-wide trade mark dispute
  • Conduct of due diligence for corporate take-overs involving multinational businesses
  • Domain name disputes

Legal Qualifications

BA in Jurisprudence, 1976, Lady Margaret Hall, Oxford.

Bar Finals, 1977. Called to Bar in July 1977 (previously a member of Lincoln's Inn).

Postgraduate diploma in Comparative Law, University of Aix, Marseilles III, France 1978.

Qualified as Member of the Institute of Trade Mark Attorneys (ITMA) by examination, June 1981.

Junior Vice President, ITMA, 1990-91.

Elected Fellow of ITMA, 1993.

Professional Experience

Experience in private practice since 1979. Specialist in trade mark protection, including advice re: clearance of new marks, registration and enforcement world-wide.

Has handled numerous Community Trade Mark opposition and cancellation proceedings through to final decision. Was involved in the BABY-DRY case before the Community Trade Mark Office. Has prosecuted some of the first design filings under the new Community legislation.

Clients include multinational FMCG manufacturers, international fashion designers and luxury goods retailers, pharmaceutical manufacturers, telecommunication service providers and charities.

Joined D Young & Co in 1986. Became Partner 1988.

Selected Publications

  • Co-Editor of the Trade Mark Handbook 1991-2002 (publisher, Sweet & Maxwell)
  • Contributor to the Trade Mark Handbook (ongoing)
  • Contributor to Legal Network TV (Law Society Education Channel)

Languages

Proficient in French, conversational Italian.