Carl is a specialist intellectual property lawyer and a leading expert on gambling law.
His practice covers the full range of IP work, including both contentious and non-contentious matters involving trade marks and designs, copyright, patents and confidential information. He has been involved in some of the leading reported IP cases in the last 25 years.
Carl advises a number of leading IP-rich companies and gambling operators, including Gaming Realms plc, The Health Lottery, Telegraph Media Group, SongTradr, Carabao Energy Drinks, ITV plc, Jumbo Interactive pty on regulatory projects, commercial arrangements, and domestic and cross-jurisdictional matters.
In addition, Carl has extensive experience in advertising and marketing regulation, data protection, e-commerce, and labelling and packaging law. He regularly advises clients in the food and drink, technology and media, and cosmetics sectors in complex commercial and litigation matters.
Exceptional commercial advice and extremely responsive.
The Legal 500, Client Testimonial 2025
I have yet to find a better expert.
The Legal 500, Client Testimonial 2025
Carl can break complex issues down and quickly resolve problems.
Chambers UK 2025: Intellectual Property
A brilliant lawyer: he is pragmatic, solution-oriented and engaging.
Chambers UK, Client Testimonial 2025
Carl has a sophisticated knowledge and understanding of the gaming industry.
Chambers UK, Client Testimonial 2025
He is definitely in the premier division and I would not hesitate to recommend him.
Chambers and Partners, Client Testimonial 2025
I have worked with Carl over the years and he continues to be our best resource for all matters gaming and gambling.
Chambers and Partners, Client Testimonial 2025
Carl Rohsler has handled our gambling compliance and IP rights and litigation extremely well and clearly.
The Legal 500, Client Testimonial 2025
Incredibly responsive and will turn urgent matters around to meet deadlines.
The Legal 500, Client Testimonial 2024
Carl Rohsler is super helpful, and his awareness of the industry and commercial implications of decisions is great.
Chambers and Partners, Client Testimonial 2024
Carl Rohsler is an excellent commercial lawyer who is very adaptable and personable.
Chambers and Partners, Client Testimonial 2024
Expertise
Intellectual Property
- Trade marks
- Copyright
- Patents
- Advertising and marketing regulation
- Data protection
- E-commerce
- Labelling and packaging
- Litigation
Gambling
- Commercial arrangements
- Gambling licensing
- Gambling disputes
- Gambling regulatory and compliance work
- Legal opinions on legality of promotional mechanisms and schemes
Commercial
- Advertising agreements;
- White label arrangements
- Commercial partnerships
- Agency agreements
- Consultancy agreements
- Research and development agreements
- Software licensing
Licensing
- Obtaining gambling licences and variations
- Dealing with licence reviews and audits
- Change of control applications
Technology
- Arrangements for software and hardware
- Data licensing arrangements
- Technology and patent licensing
- Advice on the protection of technology assets
- Technology disputes (IT disputes etc)
Trade Marks
- Licensing of trade marks
- Trade mark litigation
- Opposition and cancellation proceedings
- Advice on registrability and infringement.
Experience
Intellectual Property
- Advising AlchemyBet on an infringement of copyright and breach of confidence case. AlchemyBet v Trinitas Gaming and Os
- Advised Songtradr on the infringement of copyright and confidential information in a music licensing concept involving blockchain verification. Songtradr and Os v BlueBox Music and Os (2021)
- Advised Gaming Realms on a contractual dispute arising out of separation of gambling businesses. Gaming Realms plc v River iGaming Limited (2020)
- Advised PCL on the infringement of copyright and confidential information in spare parts for industrial machines. Process Components Limited v Kek-Gardner Limited [2016] EWCH 2198 (Ch)
- Advised Watermark on copyright infringement of artistic works. Watermark Publications v Sportswift T/a Card Factory (2008)
- Advised Cantor Gaming in a copyright software claim. Cantor Gaming v Game Account Global Ltd FSR 4 [2008] 4
- Advised Aggregate Industries in a registered designs claim Aggregate Industries v Camel Construction [2006]
- Advised Financial Information Technology in a copyright software claim. Financial Information Technology v SPILA (2005) (Isle of Man)
- Advised Coflexip on patent infringement of subsea technology. Rockwater v Coflexip RPC 46, (2003) and (2004)
- Advised CAI in an IT dispute. Credit Agricole Indosuez v PNC PLC (2003)
- Advised Siemens on liability in relation to a claim arising from a power turbine, Slough Heat and Power v Siemens (2001), (TCC)
- Advised Instance in a patents and pharmaceutical labelling dispute. Instance v Faubel (2001)
- Advised Cantor Fitzgerald in a software copyright case. Cantor Fitzgerald International and Os v Tradition UK and Os [1998] RPC; Court of Appeal [2000] RPC 95
Trade Mark
- Advised Promax Nutrition on trade mark infringement. Maximuscle v Promax Nutrition (2009)
- Advised Europcar on trade mark infringement and passing off. Enterprise Holdings Inc v Europcar Group UK [2014] EWCH 2498 (Ch)
- Acted for Zippo in a trade mark infringement / declaration of non-infringement in relation to the mark “BLU”. Zippo Manufacturing v Lorillard and Os
- Dealing with more than 100 opposition and cancellation proceedings in relation to a global battle between Europcar and Enterprise over their respective logos.
- Dealing with opposition proceedings brought by Investec against a travel company.
- Opposition and cancellation proceedings brought by Charterhouse Properties in relation to the use of the term “Oxford Innovation”.
- Dealing with trade mark opposition proceedings brought by Amazon/WholeFoods in relation to the mark “365CBD”.
- Advising on trade mark oppositions and infringement cases for a large variety of consumer brands, including Formula 1 Racing, Jane & Tash and Herd Alpaca.
- Advising clients such as Annexio and Oak Furniture Superstore on the protection of their trade marks.
Non-contentious IP
- Advised Magnomatics in relation to the commercialisation of its Direct Drive magnetic gearing systems.
- Advised on the recovery of IP from a company which had passed into liquidation and where the assets were bona vacantia.
- Advised the IP holding and R&D company of Aramco on various research and development projects and ventures with universities.
- Advised on the re-organisation of the worldwide trade mark portfolios of Chloride and Exide batteries.
- Providing IP due diligence reports in relation to a number of major IP portfolios for large industrials.
- Advised Exinity Group (Alpari) on its IP holding arrangements for tax and licensing purposes, including tax and economic substance tests.
- Advised on the re-organisation of the trade mark portfolio of Coats, including advice in relation to Bangladesh law and deed of rectification in relation to errors made in licensing and assignments of IP.
- Advised on the branding for a number of professional organisations including Monex International, Crispin Money-Coutts and Axiom Chambers..
- Advised the owners of various properties, being formerly the locations of famous restaurants and coffee houses, about the ability to use the names of those restaurants in advertising.
Gambling
- Advised on the creation of The Health Lottery, which when launched was the largest private lottery in the UK. This included the development of the initial scheme, the sale of the business to Northern and Shell, successfully dealing with a judicial review claim by Camelot against the scheme, and ongoing regulatory work for the Group.
- Advised Blue Squid Studios and Giving Collective CIC on the development of the 123Lotto Scheme and its commercial arrangements with Bauer Media and Sky.
- Advised Silver Point Capital on the gambling aspects of the acquisition of London Clubs International from Caesars Entertainment and subsequent change of control.
- Advised Gaming Realms plc in relation to all of its regulatory compliance issues and commercial contracts.
- Advised Nexus Gaming in a dispute with JackpotJoy over a suite of betting software.
- Obtaining gambling licences for companies such as BetConstruct, SBTech, 888.com, Avantage Entertainment LLP, DS Virtual Gaming, Leap Gaming and others.
- Advised Jumbo Interactive on its responses to the UK Government White Paper and also on its acquisition of Starvale ELM Limited.
- Advised on the structuring of three of the largest gambling syndicates in the UK.
- Advised Caesars Interactive Entertainment in relation to the first Nevada online gambling venture with 888.com and Barriere Casinos (first licences granted in Nevada).
- Advised Caesars Interactive Entertainment on the sponsorship of the World Series of Poker in the UK, Europe and Australia (with Crown).
- Advised Gala Coral on the outsourcing of its online operations to Playtech.
- Advised on the proposed sale of Gala Leisure (largest retail bingo provider in the UK).
- Advised Avenue Capital (owned by Donald Trump) in relation to a JV arrangement with 888.com.
- Advised Buzz Bingo in a major outsourcing of operations and wallet functionality to Playtech.
- Advised Scottish TV plc on the development and subsequent sale of a large lottery scheme.
- Advised 888.com on its UK business since 1995, including the earliest Premiership football shirt sponsorship, numerous sports sponsorship deals, advertising regulation and IP matters.
- Advised the Workshop Limited, leading providers of gambling software, in relation to their international structuring.
- Advised on a complaint to the European Commission in relation to Polish legislation on behalf of the Association of Polish Gaming Operators.
- Advised Cantor Gaming on all regulatory matters, financial fixed odds products and commercial arrangements with betting operators.
- Advised Million21 on skill contests (unique bid auctions).
- Advised the leading penny auctions operator Madbid on its European expansion.
- Advised Endemol in relation to gaming software platform development and licensing issues.
- Advised Spiral Solutions on the distribution of its products in international markets and the implications of new Australian legislation on online gambling.
Commercial
- Advised a leading supplier of safety equipment in relation to the rolling out of licensing and distribution and servicing agreements for their equipment on a worldwide basis.
- Adviser to ICAEW, the professional body for accountants, in relation to selection of suppliers and software for the purpose of examination facilities.
- Advised Telegraph Media Group on a variety of disputes and IP arrangements for its publications, including its sponsorship and partnership agreements for Telegraph Dating, Telegraph Equity release products and other white labelled partnerships.
- Advised Aveillant (patented technology in relation to Radar interference management equipment) in relation to the disposal of that technology.
- Providing IP and contractual and commercial advice for specialist football publisher Sidan Media (Kick Off).
- Advised a highly exclusive international jewellery group in a dispute with a former sales agent.
- Advised Grow Group plc, the medical cannabis group involved in a joint venture for production of prescription cannabinoids.
- Advised PlanetArt Inc on a range of commercial and advertising issues arising out of its use of the trade mark “FREEPRINTS”.
- Advised for Qomply Ltd, the financial reporting software, on its contractual arrangements with customers.
- Advised Zenova plc on warranties in relation to fire-resistant paint products.
- Advised Knoll (Furniture) on its commercial terms, including agency arrangements and distribution agreements in Europe.
- Advised on the disposal of a group of Isle of Man-based software supply entities involved in the distribution of software through complex international structures.
Telecoms and Technology
- Advised BlippAR on the commercialisation of its Augmented Reality software/services.
- Advised Threadneedle Asset Management in relation to software licensing.
- Advised Jagex, the creator of Runescape, one of the most popular Massive Multiplayer Role Play Games.
- Advised a Hong Kong company on its analysis of legal risk in relation to the provision of BitTorrent services. Also assisted in relation to the legal issues arising from VPN services.
- Advised Nordpoolspot on putting together a very substantial tender in relation to a cross-border intra-day system for electricity capacity management. This included advising on the holding of IP rights and the sharing of such rights among the various potential participants in the scheme.
- Advised on the IT and infrastructure projects for The Health Lottery and dealing with the constitutional documents for the arrangement of the Community Interest Companies and People’s Health Trust. Performed a similar role in relation to Scottish Television plc.
- Advised a mobile service provider on premium rate services in regulatory complaints brought by Phonepayplus (now Phone-paid Services Authority).
- Advised on the application of the Payment Services Regulations for a number of payment providers.
Media
- Advised a leading programmatic advertising agency in relation to claims of click-fraud, including claims for damages from a leading transport company.
- Advised on a range of Advertising Standards Complaints and Clearcast clearance for clients such as easyJet, 888.com, Fullers and others.
- Advised Otherway Limited, a London advertising agency, on its contractual arrangements for advertising campaigns with various brands including Heineken and HomeBase.
- Provided copy clearance and advertising advice to Dennis Media.
- Advised Google in relation to its KeyWord and AdWord policies for gambling.
- Advised ITV plc on the legality of its gaming and competitions formats.
- Advised News Group, ESPN and other media outlets on their gambling policies and potential impact of gambling laws on media offerings.
- Providing regulatory advice to an adult chat room and adult content providers on the terms and impact of UK legislation in relation to obscene publications.
- Advised two large social media platforms in relation to the commercial modelling of their offerings, terms and conditions of business, and rules for age-gating in relation to adult products.
Digital Assets / Cryptocurrency
- Advised payment providers in relation to a freezing order in “persons unknown” litigation linked to the dissipation of funds following crypto investment fraud.
- Advised Sorare in relation to the production of NFT football tokens and their use as collectibles, including regulatory issues arising.
- Advised an investor in a DAO structure designed to permit investment in digital assets to create a virtual stock market for those assets, dealing with issues arising from the UK Gambling Commission and FCA.
- Advised Songtradr on the protection of its blockchain/smart contract licensing system for protection of copyrights in music exploitation.
- Advised on the development of a cryptocurrency for 18+ products to ensure that the currency could not be purchased or used by minors, and arranging the structuring of that offering from a tax perspective.
- Advised various operators in relation to the receipt of crypto assets and integration into the conventional banking system through exchanges.
- Advised a leading syndicate and various betting exchanges and operators on their risk and exposure in the grey markets, including advice on issues arising on money laundering and proceeds of crime legislation.
Food and Beverage
- Advised Nutriformis in its sponsorship of Andy Murray and others for collagen supplements.
- Advised RoadChef service stations in relation to a variety of potential infringement matters;
- Involved in the development of the Carabao brand for energy drinks, including sponsorship arrangements (training kit deal with Chelsea FC) sponsorship of London Fashion Week, a Brazilian football team, advertising advice in relation to Red Bull, distribution agreements across the world, licensing deals and so on. Also advised on food labelling issues, claims in relation to health, and the potential for the launch of a Carabao beer brand.
- Providing labelling and packaging advice for the introduction of Ben & Jerry’s novel ice cream flavours into the French market.
- Advised on the labelling requirements and ingredients declarations for various chocolate products made by a leading European German/Swiss chocolatier.
- Advised on labelling and ingredients issues for a leading brewer, including malting agreements, packaging and sponsorship arrangements, advice on plastics in contact with food, customer complaints, relations with Trading Standards and consumer prizes and competitions.
- Advised a London beer maker on advertising and sponsorship arrangements and on its labelling and weights and measures compliance.
- Provided analysis of cosmetics under regulations to determine if medicinal or not for Jan Marini.
Please note: The experience list above may include examples of work completed prior to joining Keystone Law.
Recognition
Publications
- Gambling Act 2005: A Current Law Statute Guide (Sweet & Maxwell 2005)
- The Statute Guide to the National Lottery Act 2006 (Sweet & Maxwell 2006)
- Licensing Law and Practice (Sweet & Maxwell 2008)
- Licensing Law and Practice (Sweet & Maxwell 2008)
- The Gambling Law Review 2015-2023
Endorsements
- Ranked in Chambers and Partners for Gaming and Intellectual Property
- Noted in the ‘Hall of Fame’ in The Legal 500 UK 2021 for Gaming and Betting since 2021
- Recommended as a ‘Leading Individual’ in Chambers UK since 2009 for Gambling/Licensing
- Recommended in Chambers and The Legal 500 for Intellectual Property/TMT since 2003
- Solicitor Advocate
“Carl Rohsler is known for representing his clients across a broad range of IP issues including trade mark, copyright, confidential information and patents matters. He also assists his clients with the management of their IP portfolio and brand protection. He brings his commercial law expertise into his IP advisory work for his clients.” Chambers UK, 2025
“Carl Rohsler is recognised for his work on behalf of leading clients in the gambling industry. He advises on change of control applications and corporate transactions, as well as being adept at handling contentious matters.” Chambers UK, 2024
“He combines a personal approach with an encyclopaedic knowledge of IP and related issues.” Chambers and Partners, 2024
“Carl is a top-class lawyer with excellent gambling industry knowledge.”-
Chambers and Partners, 2024
“Carl is highly skilled and creative in his field of expertise.”- Chambers and Partners, 2024
“Carl’s depth of knowledge on gambling legislation coupled with his unique insight into the industry as a whole allows him to provide top-class legal advice.”- Chambers and Partners, 2024
Exceptional commercial advice and extremely responsive.’ The Legal 500 2024
‘I have yet to find a better expert than Carl Rohsler. He has knowledge at his fingertips and is always able to give an accurate view at first contact without the need for research. He is extremely responsive and very commercial. The Legal 500 2024
‘It was a joy to brainstorm with him, and – notably – we each modified our provisional opinions having taken on board a contrary view advanced by the other. It is only rarely that I have enjoyed a partnership working with an instructing solicitor as productive as this.’ The Legal 500 2022
“Carl Rohsler has always gone the extra mile, and knows when to reach out to others to complement his encyclopaedic knowledge of the law and practice. He is reliable, amenable, amicable, approachable and has a very robust but nuanced approach. My impression is that he always wants to do the best for a client and will apply a commercial gloss so that the end result is what the client wants. He is also very charming and has a good sense of humour. You can’t say that about many lawyers!” – The Legal 500, 2021
“He is an absolute expert in his legal domain. He has an uncanny ability to deliver his counsel and advice in such an eloquent and clear manner that we can easily grasp and understand it without feeling lost in legal jargon. He is a true master at that.” – Chambers and Partners, 2021
“Carl Rohsler – somebody who goes out of his way to achieve the best results for his clients. Highly regarded in the IP and Gaming/Gambling sector, he is somebody that you want on your side. A real thinker, Carl will go over and over various different scenarios in order to arrive at the right decision. It is that diligence and pride in his work that set him apart from others.” The Legal 500, 2021
“Carl Rohsler has a charismatic personality with an encyclopaedic knowledge of gambling law and regulations.” The Legal 500, 2020
Career
Carl qualified as a solicitor in 1995. Prior to joining Keystone Law in 2025, he worked at the following firms:
- Memery Crystal
- Squire Patton Boggs
- Norton Rose Fulbright