John Colbourn

John has over 15 years’ experience as an intellectual property lawyer, with a broad practice covering all aspects of IP and related issues, with particular focus on brands.

“My practice covers all aspects of brand management and protection, from advising on risk to new brands or expanding existing use, through protection and registrations, including management on a global basis, to enforcement and dispute management.

I manage and enforce both UK and international brand portfolios for a number of well-known brands in a variety of sectors, and advise on complex issues involving of disputes, enforcement, and related filing strategies in multiple jurisdictions.

I have advised in many trade mark and passing off disputes and have particular experience running multi-matter enforcement programs against misuse of trade marks and copyright works, on and off-line, and both domestically and coordinating overseas. I also have a particular interest in parallel imports and exhaustion of rights.

I have acted in the High Court (including shorter trials scheme), Intellectual Property Enterprise Court (IPEC) and the UK IPO and the EUIPO (including appeals to the General Court of the EU) and in the European Court of Justice.

I use digital tools where available to gain insight into infringement activity, and to assess portfolio strategies, to help clients prioritise action and resource allocation, and inform protection strategies.”

John completed the Bristol University Post Graduate Diploma in Intellectual Property Law and Practice in 2007, and won the AIPPI national award for the best young contribution for work in relation to trade mark dilution laws in 2010.

John is involved in a number of professional organisations, including INTA, CITMA, MARQUES and PTMG, and is presently a member of the INTA Brands and Innovation committee.

Prior to joining Wiggin, John worked at Redd.