In this webinar, we will draw together the themes emerging from the year’s most notable IPEC soft IP cases, from trade mark enforcement and passing off to copyright protection, damages, account of profits and litigation strategy. We will also look at broader trends such as how long IPEC cases are taking to come to trial and the types of IP rights that are being litigated.

The session will focus on what these decisions mean in practice, why they matter, and what businesses and advisers should take from them when managing IP risk in 2027 and beyond.

IPEC cases we have covered in the past year, and that will be relevant to this webinar include:

• FLOWERBX v FLOWERS BOX – low-distinctive mark successful in infringement claim.
• Tipping v Smith – pricing the hypothetical licence in a damages inquiry.
• easyGroup Ltd v Cubico (UK) – easyGroup’s not so easy claims of infringement, passing off and invalidity.
• Advance Magazine Publishers v Cornucopia Entertainment – exclusive event advertising can be trade mark infringement and passing off.
• easygroup v Easyfeetstore – easyGroup’s claims of infringement, passing off and invalidity left flatfooted again.
• Duadata v Tian Cha Le – damages secured by reference to hypothetical franchisee.
• Prosecco PDO Consortium v Prosecco International – court refuses to cork Prosecco claim.
• Wang Zheng v Bing Bing Foods – unsuccessful attacks on fruit varietal trade marks.
• Dryrobe v D-Robe – why policing your trade mark matters.
• Luxe World v Touch of Vogue – account of profits not available in threats action.
• Edozo v Valos – no copyright protection in functionality (the limits of software copyright).

Whether you followed every decision as it happened or want a concise update on the year’s key points, this session will provide a clear, accessible review of the IPEC decisions that shaped the UK 2026 IP litigation landscape.

Speakers

Oscar Webb is a partner and solicitor who advises on the protection, enforcement and commercialisation of soft IP rights, with a particular focus on brand protection, anti-piracy, anti-counterfeiting, and trade mark, copyright and design right disputes. A seasoned IP litigator, Oscar has represented clients before the Intellectual Property Enterprise Court, High Court, Court of Appeal, Competition Appeal Tribunal and Supreme Court. He also advises on domain name complaints, company name complaints, ASA complaints and fraudulent website issues, and has a particular interest in disputes at the intersection of IP and competition law. His experience spans the technology, media, leisure, retail and fashion sectors. Oscar is also a contributing author to the INTA Guide to European Trade Mark Update and to the UK chapter of World Trademark Review: Trade Mark Litigation.

Peter Byrd is a senior associate and solicitor recognised as an IP STARS Rising Star UK 2026 and recommended for contentious work by WIPR UK Trade Marks 2025. He advises on the protection, enforcement and commercialisation of intellectual property rights in the UK and internationally, with particular experience in brand protection and IP disputes. Peter brings a practical, commercially focused perspective to the IPEC case law covered in this webinar, advising businesses on trade mark enforcement, passing off, copyright, design rights, domain names, advertising and contractual disputes. He has acted in matters before the UK courts and in contentious proceedings before the UKIPO and EUIPO, and also coordinates international protection and enforcement strategies and advises on complex, often cross-border, settlement and co-existence arrangements. His experience spans a broad range of sectors, including fashion, retail, food and drink, sports, leisure, publishing, pharmaceuticals, entertainment and technology.

Stephanie Wickenden is a barrister specialising in intellectual property, art and media law, with experience across commercial chancery cases involving the creative and technology sectors. Her practice includes contractual and tortious IT disputes, contentious trusts and estates matters involving creative assets, and shareholder and director disputes involving IP-related breaches. She also has significant experience in matters with an international element, including disputed jurisdiction, foreign law, and service and enforcement out of the jurisdiction. Stephanie is regularly instructed in significant intellectual property cases before the UK courts, including before the Court of Appeal, High Court and IPEC, and has also appeared before the CJEU General Court and in registry proceedings before the UKIPO and EUIPO.