Charlie is an intellectual property lawyer and partner at Marks & Clerk Solicitors. Charlie advises clients on the enforcement and commercialisation of IP rights across a wide range of technology, but with a specific focus on patent litigation and technology related disputes in the life sciences sector and biotechnology in particular. He also advises clients in sectors as diverse as electronics, telecommunications, mechanical and retail.
Charlie has particular expertise in multi-jurisdictional patent disputes in the biotech field and has worked on a number of interesting and complex patent litigation matters in that field heard by the UK Courts in recent years, including Chugai v UCB Celltech, Fujifilm v AbbVie, Hospira v Genentech and Bayer/Regeneron v Genentech. He is experienced at handling multi-jurisdictional IP matters involving IP specialists across the world, often acting in a coordinating role for US and Japanese clients.
Charlie also has experience of mediation and arbitration, and of FRAND and essential patent-related disputes and sits on the commercial IP team, advising clients on IP transactional matters. On the commercial side, Charlie regularly advises on the negotiation, drafting and scope of commercial contracts dealing with the acquisition, sale and licensing of intellectual property rights, including co-ownership and co-development agreements.
In addition, Charlie advises on copyright, confidentiality, domain name and online IP rights matters, and regularly advises clients on brand protection matters, including UK and European customs border detention procedures to combat the circulation of counterfeit products.
Charlie joined the firm in November 2003 and became a partner in 2014. Charlie is listed in Who’s Who Legal (for Life Sciences and Patents).
He speaks fluent French and enjoys skiing, sailing and family life.
Educational Qualifications
Diploma in Intellectual Property Law, Bristol University (2005)
Qualified as a Solicitor in England & Wales (2003)
LLB (Hons), University of Edinburgh (1998)
Example Cases
Chugai v UCB
Fujifilm v AbbVie
Ares Trading v AbbVie
Hospira v Genentech
Regeneron/Bayer v Genentech
Confidential LCIA arbitration in the telecoms field over FRAND patent licence fees
Apollo v Red Dot
Black & Decker v Atlas Copco
Celltech v MedImmuneChugai v UCB