About Me

I help client's navigate trade mark, copyright and other IP questions when they are resolving disputes, pursuing transactions or designing compliant business processes.

I specialise in identifying and advising on IP issues in the digital economy, including in a wide range of online services and digital media. I represent clients in UK IP litigation and advise on coordinating multi-jurisdictional IP litigation and strategy. My litigation experience includes trade mark infringement and passing off, breach of licence/coexistence agreements, copyright, trade secrets, and designs. I also cover transactional IP work such as licensing and the IP aspects of corporate restructures and reorganisations.

For 5 years I was Co-Head of Bird & Bird's representative office in San Francisco, advising on and coordinating European and UK IP law matters from a US time zone.

I've been recognised more than once by WTR as one of the 'World's Leading Trademark Professionals'. I am a former advisory Board Member of the San Francisco IP Law Association. I am also a member of INTA's Parallel Imports Committee and IPOA's European Practice, Copyright, and International Trademarks Committees.

Over the course of my career, multiple secondments to a large digital communications company and a major international brand licensor and investor have helped me see things from the client's point of view and understand how to add value.
Experience
  • Litigating multiple High Court and Court of Appeal cases concerning trade mark infringement and breach of IP-related contracts.
  • Advising on copyright and trade mark aspects (including online platform liability) of streaming, linking, hosting, scraping and online search services, and helping design solutions mitigating risks.
  • Advising on merits and strategy relating to software copyright infringement risks and breach of software licence.
Cases
  • Merck KGaA v Merck Sharp & Dohme - large-scale UK trade mark infringement and breach of co-existence litigation involving 3 trials and an appeal (upholding our client's successful breach of co-existence agreement claim), plus interfacing with teams in 10 other countries as part of the worldwide dispute.
  • Assos v Asos - substantial trade mark infringement litigation in High Court and Court of Appeal, part of a wider international dispute which resulted in a multi-million global settlement.
  • Codemasters v ACO - breach of IP warranty and indemnity litigation relating to alleged misuse of car designs and branding in a computer game
  • Daimler v Sany - successfully defending Sany in trade mark litigation brought by Daimler regarding alleged infringement of its 3 pointed star logo.
Education

Studied

  • Oxford University, Post-Graduate Diploma in IP Law and Practice
  • Nottingham Law School, LPC
  • Sheffield University, BA, Law with French

Admissions

  • State Bar of California - Registered Foreign Legal Consultant in 2018
  • Law Society of England & Wales in 2007
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Testimonials

With brand value increasing and businesses re-examining old coexistence agreements to look for underlying rights they can enforce, Aries is well placed with his combination of courtroom dexterity and finely honed transactional skills.

WTR 1000 2018

Nick "understands your business" and is "willing to roll up his sleeves and work incredibly hard". "He is a real team player and great at interacting with barristers and other lawyers outside his firm, as well as his own colleagues. He asks all the right questions and is legally brilliant, too."

WTR 1000 2017

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