ITMA Welcomes Justice Floyd's Elevation to the Bench

In his welcoming speech to mark the elevation of Mr Justice Floyd to the bench, Philip Harris, President of ITMA – the Institute of Trade Mark Attorneys – said he was confident that bringing his intellectual rigour to bear, Mr. Justice Floyd will enhance the outstanding international reputation of the court in the field of trade mark law.

Speaking to a packed courtroom at the Royal Courts of Justice on 9 November, Mr. Harris said:

“My Lord, although you are justly known mostly for your patent work, you are, of course, no stranger to trade marks, both as counsel and as decision-maker.”

“My Lord, you are well known to many members of my Institute. We in ITMA have high hopes for you. In your new role, more trade mark cases are bound to come before you. Contrary to the wisdom so readily received in some quarters, trade marks are not always the easy option in intellectual property. As others have observed in the past, in some ways, trade mark law can be more challenging and more complex than patent law.”

“The tide of European trade mark law long ago lapped over and inundated our shores, but in many places its waters remain muddied. Historically, this court and its judges have played a leading role in bringing clarity to the depths, but that is far from over. We, in the Institute of Trade Mark Attorneys, are fully confident that bringing your intellectual rigour to bear your Lordship will continue that tradition, thus enhancing the outstanding international reputation of this court in the field of trade mark law.”

“My Lord, the Institute of Trade Mark Attorneys welcomes your appointment and we wish you the greatest possible success in this next stage of your career.”

NOTES FOR EDITORS

1. The Institute of Trade Mark Attorneys (ITMA) was established in 1934 as the professional body representing those persons qualified to act for the owners of trade mark and allied intellectual property rights (in particular, registered designs) both nationally and internationally. It now represents the vast majority of UK registered trade mark agents and all UK Trade Mark & Design Litigators.

2. Currently ITMA has approximately 500 practising members; it also extends associate membership to professionals in related fields of law and overseas membership to foreign trade mark attorneys. Its total membership (all classes) is about 1600 members, primarily located in the United Kingdom and Europe, but also in more than 50 other countries.

3. ITMA is regularly consulted by UK government and by international bodies when questions affecting trade mark and allied intellectual property rights arise. It has regular meetings with the UK Intellectual Property Office (UK-IPO), the Community Trade Marks Office (OHIM), the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) and other sister organisations in Europe and beyond. For more information visit www.itma.org.uk.

4. The Business Advice Days programme is the largest, cross government business support roadshow of its kind, dedicated to providing free information and support to business. It is organised by HM Revenue & Customs. For more information visit www.businessadviceday.gov.uk.

Press and interview enquiries to Ken Storey, PR Manager, Tel: 020 8941 6079 or Mobile 07710 434 507.