ITMA's New President Aims to Enhance the Trade Mark Profession's Responsiveness to Consumers' Needs

Speaking after his inauguration at the ITMA Council on 28 March, Philip said: “Lord Falconer’s proposed reforms to the provision of legal services offer challenges and opportunities to smaller professions such as ours. We aim to make the most of the opportunities to enhance our professional status in the UK and in the Intellectual Property (IP) world and to meet these challenges by making our profession as responsive to consumers as possible.”

“We have appreciated being an integral part of the consultations undertaken by the Department for Constitutional Affairs (DCA). ITMA looks forward to working with the DCA to produce a regulatory framework that not only matches the needs of consumers but is also practical for an Institute with an exemplary record on handling complaints.”

“Nearly 50% of trade mark attorneys are women, so we have particularly welcomed the Lord Chancellor’s statements on diversity in the judiciary in which he accepted that trade mark attorneys have an important role to play. We are delighted that he has recognized our members’ status as legal professionals and that he acknowledges the role of Intellectual Property in business success. ITMA members will be able to add value to the pool of barristers and solicitors that have traditionally served the judiciary and look forward to hearing of legislative progress in this area.”
“More recently, Andrew Gowers has called for evidence on the Review of Intellectual Property he is carrying out for the Government. ITMA will be providing detailed comments on issues related to Trade Marks.”

“Trade Mark law is undoubtedly a niche area of practice that can sometimes be overlooked in national policy-making. However, trade marks can add enormous value to a business can influence the perceptions and habits of millions of consumers and contribute to a healthy and vibrant economy. I believe the members of ITMA are uniquely placed to offer authoritative and informed views to policy makers, not only in the UK and the EU but also worldwide. I relish the challenge ahead and see it as an opportunity for the UK profession to make its mark.”

NOTES FOR EDITORS

1. The Institute of Trade Mark Attorneys (ITMA) is the professional body for trade mark attorneys in the United Kingdom. Established in 1934, it plays a significant role in promoting the importance of registering trade marks. Our Members, Trade Mark Attorneys, give specialised legal advice and assistance relating to the selection, registration, protection and exploitation of all kinds of trademarks and brands, as well as designs.

2. Much of our Members’ work involves representing national and international clients of all kinds in registered trade mark and registered design matters before the UK Patent Office and in the European Union before the Office for Harmonisation in the Internal Market. The Institute also administers the Register of Trade Mark Agents; no-one may call themselves a "Trade Mark Attorney" unless they are registered on the Register of Trade Mark Agents.

3. PHILIP HARRIS: BIOGRAPHY

Born in 1958 Philip spent his early life in Upminster, Essex, and attended Hornchurch Grammar School. He now lives with his wife Liz near Grantham, Lincolnshire. Philip gained an Honours Degree in Law from what is now Anglia Polytechnic University in 1982. He entered the trade mark profession in 1983 when he joined the in-house intellectual property department of Thorn EMI Plc. Subsequently he joined the Trade Marks Department of The Wellcome Foundation Limited where he specialised in anti-counterfeiting in a range of jurisdictions.

From 1986 to 1989 he trained to qualify as a solicitor during which time he served articles with the IP firm Dallas Brett. Following his admission as a solicitor in 1989, Philip joined the intellectual property department of Crossman Block, a leading firm of city solicitors. He became a Registered Trade Mark Agent in 1990 and it is in that capacity that he joined Gill Jennings & Every in August 1992. Philip entered the partnership in 1996.

Philip is also a recognised professional representative before OHIM (the Community Trade Mark Office). In addition, he is a member of INTA, an associate member of the Pharmaceutical Trade Marks Group, an accredited CEDR Mediator and an associate member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators.

Philip represents clients in fields including toys and games, pharmaceuticals, organisation of exhibitions, writing implements, security equipment, pre-press and image manipulation systems, lighting, compressed air equipment, non-woven fabrics, entertainment and fashion retailing. He practises primarily in the trade mark field dealing with all aspects of choosing, registering and protecting trade marks around the world. His experience also extends to trade mark, patent and copyright litigation, licensing, character merchandising and anti-counterfeiting.

Much of Philip's spare time in recent years centred on his role as a musician in a successful folk-rock band, a role that took him to the stage of the London Palladium. He retains a keen interest in music and whilst his musical activities are “on hold” during his Presidency he hopes to dust off his guitars again in the future.

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