Rob Jacob

Rob works with a diverse range of clients, from life sciences innovators and offshore construction specialists to luxury brands and consumer goods companies. He is often called upon by businesses seeking to protect, commercialise, and enforce their intellectual property in the UK and across borders, particularly where the stakes are high and the issues are novel.

He provides strategic advice on registering, defending, and enforcing trade marks - including non-traditional marks - and supports clients through every stage of litigation, from initial strategy to hearings before the UK High Court, Intellectual Property Enterprise Court, and UKIPO. Rob is adept at coordinating multi-jurisdictional disputes, having led global litigation strategies involving up to 30 countries, and works closely with local counsel to ensure a seamless approach for clients with international portfolios.

• Extension of trade mark law

  Acted on DataCard Corporation v Eagle Technologies Limited ([2011] EWHC 244 (Pat)), where the firm successfully argued for the extension of trade mark protection to prevent actions of an infringer which would lead to post-sale confusion.

• Residual goodwill

  Successfully arguing that residual goodwill still subsists in the NICHOLSON gin brand resulting in the UK IPO invalidating third party marks for the same on grounds of passing off and bad faith (Decision: Opp 0520-14).

• Non-traditional trade marks

  Successfully convincing OHIM's Board of Appeal (R2074/2013-2) and the UK IPO that the shape of both GlaxoSmithKline's DISKUS and ELLIPTA inhalers were distinctive as well as successfully arguing before OHIM Board of Appeal in relation to a formalities objection (R0580/2013-2).