Copyright
Melaris v Mindhouse [2026] EWHC 690 (IPEC) – Sole counsel in copyright infringement claim against Louis Theroux’s production company concerning the infamous Roswell Alien Autopsy footage. Successfully achieved reverse summary judgment and dismissal of the entire claim. Sam is also acting for various newspaper defendants in similar proceedings brought by Mr Melaris, which are ongoing.
Crushcov v Hyland & ors [2025] EWHC 1117 (Ch) – Sole counsel for the producer of the Sky TV series Britannia. Successfully struck out a claim for conspiracy to cause loss by unlawful means, relating to alleged theft of scripts and copying them in the TV show Britannia. Not pleaded as a copyright claim (but perhaps should have been).
Madbox SAS v LAVA Games Development Ltd (2024) – Junior counsel for the Defendant in High Court copyright infringement proceedings relating to the mobile games Pocket Champs and AFAR Rush. Settled.
Animal Feeds (2024-2025) – Sole counsel in complex multi-million copyright, database right and confidential information claim concerning animal feeds and confidential formulae therefor against ex-employees. Settled pre-issue.
Architectural drawings (2023-2024) – Sole counsel in copyright infringement dispute concerning architectural drawings. Settled pre-issue.
Codeplan Ltd v Compliance Health Ltd (2023-2024) – Sole counsel in copyright dispute concerning compliance documentation. Settled.
Kieran Hebden v Domino Recording Company Limited [2022] EWHC 74 (IPEC) – Sole counsel in dispute concerning royalty payments for digital exploitation of music of the recording artist Four Tet, and reversion/re-assignment of copyright in master recordings. Settled on public terms.
Weiss Technik UK Limited & ors v SJJ System Services Limited & ors [2022] EWHC 2773 (Ch) – High Court copyright, database right, confidential information, breach of contract and conspiracy to cause loss by unlawful means dispute concerning software and large volumes of other information relating to the operation of environmental simulation chambers. Due to the large volume of infringing materials, elements of the claim proceeded by way of trial by samples. Sam acted as junior counsel for the successful Claimants.
Island Records & ors v Live From Abbey Road Limited (2020-2022) – CCMC in High Court copyright dispute relating to ownership of copyright in materials associated with the Live From Abbey Road tv program. Settled.
NCFE v TQUK (2020) – High Court STS dispute concerning alleged infringement of copyright in training qualification specifications. Settled.
Caroline Ukoumunne v University of Birmingham [2020] EWHC 184 (IPEC); [2020] EWHC 2927 (IPEC) – Successful strike out of claim for alleged infringement of copyright, breach of confidence, breach of contract relating to alleged plagiarism of doctoral thesis.
Vocal Star Limited v Phoenix Music Group Ltd (2019) – Copyright infringement dispute relating to karaoke CD album covers. Settled.
Duffy Archive Limited v VR Music Limited (2018-2019) – Copyright and trade mark dispute concerning the David Bowie lightning bolt used on the Aladdin Sane album cover.
First HDTV v Kartina World LLP (2018) – Copyright dispute relating to sale of television decoders.
Victor Lilley v Financial Times Limited [2017] EWHC 1916 (Ch) – Successful strike out of claim for alleged infringement of copyright in newspaper articles.
Victor Lilley v Euromoney Institutional Investor Plc [2017] EWHC 3593 (Ch) – Successful strike out of claim for alleged infringement of copyright in newspaper articles.
Trade marks and passing off
Shenzhen SKE Technology v Bargain Busting [2025] EWHC 1629 (Ch) – As junior counsel, successfully resisted appeal from UK IPO opposition proceedings to the High Court in the context of the long-running CRYSTAL BAR vape litigation.
Babek International v Iceland [2025] EWHC 547 (IPEC); [2025] EWCA Civ 1341 – Trade mark infringement dispute featuring a counterclaim for invalidity on clarity/precision grounds (focussing on colour). Sam was sole counsel at the first instance counterclaimant’s summary judgment application, and junior counsel on appeal.
Shorts International Ltd v Google LLC [2025] EWCA Civ 653 – Leading Court of Appeal decision on application of IPEC costs capping provisions on appeal. Sam was junior counsel for the successful Appellants.
Equisafety Ltd v Battle, Hayward & Bower Limited [2021] EWHC 3296 (IPEC); [2023] EWHC 1821 (IPEC); [2024] EWHC 283 (IPEC) – Sole counsel for the Defendant in trade mark and passing off dispute concerning use of the MERCURY mark in relation to equestrian clothing and equipment; Account of profits relating to unauthorised use of the MERCURY mark; Costs decision addressing effect of Part 36 offers claimant had failed to beat.
Kilworth Capital v Truspilot (2023-2024) – Acted for Trustpilot resisting claim to compel removal of negative reviews following company ownership change. Settled.
Nasdaq Inc v Finage Ltd & ors (2023) – Trade mark and confidential information claim concerning alleged unauthorised redistribution of real-time data relating to the Nasdaq stock exchange.
Simon Millington v Wolf Designs Ltd (2021-2023) – Trade mark dispute concerning the use of the mark AXIS for automatic watch winders. Settled.
Housing Hand Ltd v Guarantid Ltd & ors (2022) – Trade mark dispute concerning use (by way of keyword advertising) of the mark HOUSING HAND for rent guarantor services.
IBSA Farmaceutici Italia Srl v Med-FX Ltd (2020) – Norwich Pharmacal application in the context of alleged parallel imports of dermal filler devices.
Urbanbubble Ltd v Urban Evolution Property Management Ltd [2022] EWHC 134 (IPEC) – Trade mark and passing off dispute between property management businesses. Sam acted at an early stage for the successful Defendants.
Geneva Laboratories Limited v Queens Cosmetics Limited (2020) – Trade mark dispute concerning allegedly counterfeit BIO-OIL.
Fit Kitchen Limited v Scratch Meals Limited [2020] EWHC 2069 (IPEC) – Trade mark and passing off dispute concerning FIT KITCHEN branded ready meals. Sam acted at an early stage for the successful Claimant.
Dreamboys London Limited v Bargain Travel Bureau Limited (2018-2019) – Trade mark and passing off dispute.
Camelot UK Lotteries Limited v Lottoland Limited (2018) – Trade mark dispute concerning use of the sign EUROMILLIONAIRE in relation to betting on the outcomes of lotteries.
F45 Training Pty Limited v Leo Star Limited (2018) – Franchise dispute including trade mark infringement issues. Settled.
Nicoventures Holdings Limited v The London Vape Company Ltd [2017] EWHC 3328 (Ch) – Appeal to the High Court against a decision of the UK IPO in a trade mark opposition relating to e-cigarettes.
NK Streamline Transport Limited v Wimborne Cars Limited (2017) – Passing off and confidential information dispute between taxi companies. Settled.
Numerous appearances in the UK IPO and before the Appointed Person – notable/recent examples include:
RIPPLE O/0011/26 and O/0461/26 – Partial success at first instance and before the Appointed Person in consolidated revocation, cancellation and opposition proceedings concerning the Galaxy Ripple.
ASAHI PENTAX O/638/25; O/928/25 – Successful opposition on bad faith grounds to registration of figurative ASAHI PENTAX figurative mark for camera-related goods.
POTTER’S O/1119/24 – Successful cancellation of POTTER’S mark for a variety of class 5 health-food goods.
RICKMAN O/195/24 – Successful revocation of the RICKMAN mark for motorcycles excluding classic motorcycles. Raised interesting POSTKANTOOR issues.
LUCKY BAR O/976/23 – Successfully appealed to the Appointed Person against a decision dismissing British American Tobacco (and Lucky Strike)’s opposition to registration of the LUCKY BAR mark for vapes.
US GRAND POLO EQUIPMENT & APPAREL O/254/24 – Successfully appealed to the Appointed Person an IPO opposition decision brought by Lifestyle Equities.
BANDIT O/197/23 – Unusual Appointed Person decision on bad faith.
WELLS & CO O/427/23 – Successfully resisted appeal to the Appointed Person against a decision dismissing an opposition against the mark WELLS & CO for a variety of goods and services.
EVEREST O/0107/23 – Successfully resisted appeal to the Appointed Person against a decision dismissing an opposition against the mark EVEREST for various foodstuffs.
BANDIT O/197/23 – Unsuccessfully resisted appeal to the Appointed Person against an opposition decision refusing registration of the mark BANDIT for safety helmets on bad faith grounds.
HEALTH SPACES O/0354/23 – Successfully resisted trade mark opposition against the mark HEALTH SPACES for various real-estate related services.
MANGO SKIN O/095/22 – Successfully opposed registration of the mark MANGO SKIN for a variety of cosmetics and other goods.
GRINDSMITH O/863/21 – Partial success for the applicant in multiple consolidated trade mark oppositions and invalidity actions.
AVITA O/164/21 – Successfully resisted appeal to the Appointed Person in consolidated trade mark oppositions.
MISS WORLDCLASS O/672/21 – Successfully opposed registration of the mark MISS WORLDCLASS for various entertainment services on behalf of Miss World Ltd.
INOV-8 TERRAULTRA O/294/21 – Successfully opposed registration of the mark INOV-8 TERRAULTRA for trainers.
LUMIQS T-133/18– Successful appeal to the General Court against a decision of the EUIPO First Board of Appeal following trade mark opposition proceedings.
LITTLE KICKERSS O/826/18 – Successful invalidation of the figurative mark MINI KICKS for sports coaching services.
VIVO O/218/17 – Successful appeal to the Appointed Person on the subject of non-use in the context of trade mark opposition proceedings.
Patents
Digadoc Ltd v ATE (UK) Ltd (2023) – Patent dispute relating to methods for attaching plant machinery to trailers.
Ratio Financial Ltd v Cellmas Ltd & ors [2021] EWHC 2777 (IPEC) – Successfully resisted strike out/summary judgment application in a patent, passing off and confidential information dispute concerning methods for producing construction blocks from recycled paper waste. Settled.
Stephens & ors v Mallows O/584/21 – Patent entitlement dispute in the UK IPO.
Mainetti (UK) Limited v Gifts 4 All Occasions Limited (2020) – Norwich Pharmacal application in the context of allegations of patent infringement relating to a children’s car seat.
Clearswift Limited v Glasswall (IP) Limited [2018] EWHC 2442 (Pat) – Patent revocation action concerning virus checking software. Sam acted as junior counsel for the successful Defendant.
Positec Power Tools (Europe) Limited v Husqvarna AB (2016-2017) – Patent claim relating to a method for operating an electronic device (such as an automatic lawnmower) within an electronic demarcating system. Experiments were performed by both parties. Sam assisted as a secondee to solicitors for the Claimant. Settled.
Advised pre-action on various other patent matters.
Designs
Soho Hom v Dusk (2026-ongoing) – Sole counsel for Soho Home (part of the Soho House group) in UK UDR and SUDR infringement proceedings concerning various items of furniture.
Sterling Textiles Ltd v All Bedding Components Ltd & ors (2022) – UK registered and unregistered design right claim relating to bed headboard struts.
Taylor’s Eye Witness Limited v KN Master Limited (2018) – Unregistered design right, copyright, trade mark and passing off dispute relating to kitchen knives. Settled.
Parisian (UK) Limited v Missi Limited (2017) – Unregistered design right dispute relating to the design of clothing. Settled.
Advised pre-action on various other registered and unregistered design right matters.
Confidential Information
Nasdaq Inc v Finage Ltd & ors (2023) – Trade mark and confidential information claim concerning alleged unauthorised redistribution of real-time data relating to the Nasdaq stock exchange.
Weiss Technik UK Limited & ors v SJJ System Services Limited & ors [2022] EWHC 2773 (Ch) – High Court copyright, database right, confidential information, breach of contract and conspiracy to cause loss by unlawful means dispute concerning software and large volumes of other information relating to the operation of environmental simulation chambers. Due to the large volume of infringing materials, elements of the claim proceeded by way of trial by samples. Sam acted as junior counsel for the successful Claimants.
Choudhrie v Choudhrie [2019] EWHC 2066 (Ch) – Junior counsel in application to strike out claim for declaration in relation to extent of duties of confidence owed by wife on separation.
Media & Entertainment
Music Royalties (2024-ongoing) – Junior counsel to Ian Mill KC in complex multi-million pound LCIA Arbitration concerning digital distribution music royalties.
Melaris v Mindhouse [2026] EWHC 690 (IPEC) – Sole counsel in copyright infringement claim against Louis Theroux’s production company concerning the infamous Roswell Alien Autopsy footage. Successfully achieved reverse summary judgment and dismissal of the entire claim. Sam is also acting for various newspaper defendants in similar proceedings brought by Mr Melaris, which are ongoing.
Crushcov v Hyland & ors [2025] EWHC 1117 (Ch) – Sole counsel for the producer of the Sky TV series Britannia. Successfully struck out a High Court claim for conspiracy to cause loss by unlawful means, relating to alleged theft of scripts and copying them in the TV show Britannia.
Madbox SAS v LAVA Games Development Ltd (2024) – Junior counsel for the Defendant in High Court copyright infringement proceedings relating to the mobile games Pocket Champs and AFAR Rush. Settled.
Kieran Hebden v Domino Recording Company Limited [2022] EWHC 74 (IPEC) – Dispute concerning royalty payments for digital exploitation of music of the recording artist Four Tet, and reversion/re-assignment of copyright in master recordings. Settled on public terms.
Sky Italia SRL v Google Ireland Ltd (2021) – Norwich pharmacal application for disclosure of information needed to identify source of leak of an episode of the TV show Gomorrah.
Voltage Holdings LLC v Virgin Media Ltd (2021) – Norwich Pharmacal application for disclosure of IP addresses of illegal downloaders of the film Ava.
Island Records & ors v Live From Abbey Road Limited (2020-2022) – Junior counsel in High Court dispute relating to ownership of copyright in materials associated with the Live From Abbey Road TV program. Settled.
Vocal Star Limited v Phoenix Music Group Ltd (2019) – Copyright infringement dispute relating to karaoke CD album covers. Settled.
Duffy Archive Limited v VR Music Limited (2018-2019) – Copyright and trade mark dispute concerning the David Bowie lightning bolt used on the Aladdin Sane album cover. Settled.
Jessica Carroll v Eye Flight Films Limited (2017-2018) – Dispute relating to infringement of performance rights in a voiceover. Settled.
Advised pre-action on various other media and entertainment matters, including artist-manager disputes, digital royalty disputes, publication of confidential materials relating to high profile individuals, and artist resale rights.
Miscellaneous
Beauty Service Limited v eBay Europe SARL (2016-2018) – Dispute relating to eBay de-listing products on receipt of VeRO notifications. Sam acted for eBay. Settled.
IP Bar Association
Chancery Bar Association
AIPPI
Qualifications
BA Law, University of Oxford, 2013
BSc Physics and Philosophy, University of Bristol, 2010
BPTC, City Law School, 2014
Regulations
Sam is a self-employed, independent barrister whose practice is governed by the Code of Conduct of the Bar of England and Wales. He is registered with the Bar Standards Board of England and Wales (Bar Ref: 62430)
He has professional indemnity insurance provided by the Bar Mutual Indemnity Fund (BMIF Ref: 2190/061). Please refer to the BMIF website for full details of the world-wide cover provided, and the BMIF’s contact details.
CIPA Guide to the Patents Act (“the Black Book”). Contributing editor.
Copinger & Skone James on Copyright. Contributing editor.
Product-by-process claims: clarification from the UK court in Hospira v Genentech E.I.P.R. 2015, 37(5), 314-320
Sam enjoys theatre and live music, and runs a small record label in his spare time. He has three small children, who are a handful!
