We provide sophisticated advice by combining substantive expertise in the law with a deep understanding of our clients’ businesses developed through prioritising enduring client relationships.

For example, we regularly advise on:

• structuring selective distribution systems in a manner that protects brand reputation whilst complying with the complex legal constraints that apply to the most successful brands.

• the implications of online sales restrictions, pricing schemes, parallel trade and parity clauses.

• a wide range of licensing matters, including issues at the intersection of antitrust and IP laws, such as standard essential patents.

We have decades of experience in defending clients facing challenges to their commercial agreements. We have represented leading brands in investigations into their distribution and licensing practices conducted by the European Commission, the UK Competition and Markets Authority and other national competition authorities.

We have defended our clients in relation to territorial and online sales restrictions, resale price maintenance and selective distribution practices, including successfully limiting our client’s exposure in one of the first cases concluded under the European Commission’s cooperation procedure.

Our experience includes the challenging areas of sustainability-related projects and information exchange.

The competition law regulatory environment regarding collaborations with competitors can be particularly difficult to interpret.

We can advise you on how best to ensure that cooperation in areas such as R&D, production and purchasing, as well as broader joint venture or alliance arrangements, do not cross the fine line between a legitimate joining of forces and anti-competitive behaviour.