Will Sander

Will represents financial institutions in protecting and exploiting trade marks, designs, and copyrights, managing IP portfolios, and resolving disputes involving branding, confidential information, and database rights.

• Advising the UK’s first digital bank on all intellectual property matters including patent and trade mark advice, trade mark filing and management strategy, and management of its intellectual property portfolio.
• Advising a major insurer on the trade mark filing, management and protection strategy for its pension’s business.
• Advising a major UK plc involved in international investment, savings, insurance, and banking group on the trade mark filing, management and protection strategy for key brands.

Will protects and enforces IP rights in transport and infrastructure projects, advising on trade marks, designs, patents, and licensing to safeguard innovation and branding in global developments.

• Advising a train operator on the trade mark filing, management and protection strategy.
• Advising a European rail operator on trade mark matters.
• Advising a prominent security, surveillance and engineering solutions company within the transport sector on various intellectual property matters including patent and trade mark advice, trade mark filing and management strategy, and copyright advice.

Will advises high-profile brands, event operators, government bodies, and media businesses on global trade mark strategy, IP portfolio management, and enforcement, protecting valuable assets across hospitality, sport, education, and consultancy sectors.

• Advising the owner of one of the most exclusive hotels in the world on trade mark litigation in various jurisdictions.
• Advising the most prominent operator of mass participation sporting events in the UK on its trade mark filing, management and protection strategy for its running and swimming events.
• Advising a government department on it global trade mark filing strategy.
• Advising one of the biggest consumer media businesses in the UK on all intellectual property matters including copyright infringement, design infringement, patent protection and the filing and management of its global trade mark portfolio.
• Provided a variety of strategic IP advice to NCFE including the filing of trade mark protection, the subsistence and licensing of copyright material and the creation and ownership of IP in material produced for courses and examinations.
• Advised an Isle of Man-based international consultancy and advisory business on its rebranding and new terms and conditions.

Will advises global fashion and retail brands on complex IP disputes and strategy, including High Court litigation and trade mark and design matters. He supports high-end retailers across filing, monitoring and enforcement of trade marks, copyright and designs.

• Acted for a leading UK snack food company in High Court proceedings involving copyright infringement, passing off, UK registered trade mark infringement and UK and registered EU design rights.
• Acted in High Court proceedings concerning an automotive business, involving passing off and UK registered trade mark infringement claims.
• Acted for a national radio station in its opposition to an EU trade mark application filed by a major international music company.
• Acted for an architectural practice in defending allegations of copyright infringement brought by another architectural practice.
• Acting for a high-end jewellery designer on a range of contentious intellectual property matters involving design rights, copyright and trade mark rights.
• Acted for a leading online marketplace in a dispute involving claims of registered trade mark infringement and passing off.
• Acted for the creator of a globally renowned game in a long-running dispute concerning its ownership.
• Acted for a major London museum in defending allegations of copyright and design infringement.
• Acting for a platform provider in the defence of High Court proceedings concerning a £100 million+ technology dispute.
• Advised Asda on a comparative advertising complaint raised by Tesco.
• Acted for two defendants in High Court and related German proceedings involving passing off, design infringement and UK and EU registered trade mark infringement.
• Acting for a global technology company in UK trade mark opposition proceedings.
• Acted for a consumer products company in High Court proceedings concerning UK registered design infringement and passing off.
• Acted for a premium gifting company in defending a complex copyright claim concerning the alleged unauthorised use of a well-known song.
• Acted for a major international food and beverage group in defending an allegation of registered trade mark infringement.
• Acting for the commercial arm of a local authority operating a major cultural venue on complex trade mark and copyright issues.
• Acting for a skincare brand on a range of trade mark matters, including EU trade mark opposition and revocation proceedings.
• Acted for the defendant in a in a typeface dispute.

Will advises energy sector clients on IP portfolio management, licensing, and enforcement, protecting patents, confidential information, and brand assets in innovation-driven renewable and traditional energy projects.

• Acting for a prominent plc in the energy sector on patent infringement, copyright subsistence, and the filing and management of its trade mark portfolio. This included advice on a complete rebrand, including clearance advice and advice through to obtaining trade mark protection.
• Advising a plc utility company on the protection and management of trade marks and associated domain names.

Will advises education providers on IP protection, licensing, and dispute resolution, covering trade marks, designs, copyright, and database rights for course materials, branding, and digital platforms.

• Advised a prominent public school on the international franchising of its name and other IP rights to create schools in India and other locations.
• Provided general strategic advice to a college on IP protection, and filing strategy in relation to obtaining registered IP protection
• Provided a variety of strategic IP advice to NCFE including the filing of trade mark protection, the subsistence and licensing of copyright material and the creation and ownership of IP in material produced for courses and examinations
• Provided advice to a grammar school in Newcastle on the protection of its key trademarks and filing and obtaining® protection in the UK for its trade marks.
• Advised a prominent public school on the international franchising of its name and other IP rights to create schools in India and other locations.

Will supports retail brands in trade mark and design protection, licensing, and litigation, safeguarding product designs, branding, and confidential information across UK, European, and online marketplaces.

• Advising a UK-based global fashion brand and retail store chain on High Court litigation.
• Advising a US-based global fashion brand and retail store chain on trade mark and design matters, including both commercial and litigation matters.
• Advising a high-end fashion retailer on all IP matters, including trade mark filing and monitoring, as well as commercial and litigation matters covering trade marks, copyright and designs.

Recognised by The Legal 500 as a Leading Partner for Intellectual Property: North 2024 – 2027

Recognised by Chambers UK for Intellectual Property: North East 2012 – 2027

Acknowledged by Chambers 2025 for his practice as both a solicitor and a chartered trade mark and design attorney. He is well versed in licensing and all kinds of IP disputes, including trade mark, designs and copyright infringement litigation.

Recognised by WTR1000 – Bronze – Individuals: enforcement and litigation 2023 – 2025

Recommended by WIPR leaders for expertise in IP, including patent, trademark, and copyright issues 2024

Recognised by The Legal 500 for Media and Entertainment 2020

Recognised by The Legal 500 2018 for Brand Management