Richard May
Partner, UK
Richard is a Partner in Osborne Clarke’s intellectual property team. He is an expert in all aspects of brand protection and IP disputes, with an emphasis on trademarks, copyright and designs, covering various sectors with a focus on tech, gaming, retail and life sciences.
Richard is a dual qualified solicitor and Chartered Trade Mark Attorney and has a unique blend of in-house (British American Tobacco, Diageo and B&Q) and private practice (boutique IP and full service law firm) experience, which gives him a real client-focused edge. He offers a genuinely integrated brand protection and IP disputes practice, combining the management of large global portfolios with representing clients in the High Court, IPEC, UKIPO and EUIPO. He has expertise in obtaining protection in difficult markets such as China, Russia and the Middle East.
Richard May is knowledgeable, always available and always up to date with our portfolio. He recently represented us at the UKIPO against a huge third party. His handling of the matter and his performance at the hearing was exemplary and we won on all grounds, together with a costs award.
Richard May is aggressive and smart.
Helping you succeed in tomorrow's world
As an OC Social Mobility Ambassador, I have a keen interest in creating opportunities and exploring barriers in the legal profession to help everyone with an interest in law thrive.
Shell
Represented Shell in a trade mark dispute over the term Shell Go+. Read more.
PA Consulting
Represented PA Consulting in a trade mark dispute over the tag line Bringing Ingenuity to Life. Read more.
BNP Best Natural Products
Represented BNP Best Natural Products against the Indian government in a trade mark dispute over the Khadi cosmetics brand. Read more.
Contact
Richard
Insights
Intellectual property
What qualifies as a legitimate reason to object to parallel trade of medicines in Europe?
Trade mark owners are able to object to the parallel trade of medicines provided that there are legitimate reasons
20/03/2024
Read time
1m
Intellectual property
UK Supreme Court finds sales of trade marked goods from US website targeted UK consumers for infringement purposes
US website's targeting of UK consumers amounted to infringing trade mark use in the UK and EU, but no decision...
08/03/2024
Read time
4m
Intellectual property
UK Court of Appeal confirms Samsung is liable for third-party content on app store
Samsung was not entitled to rely on the eCommerce Directive's hosting safe harbour
21/12/2023
Read time
4m
Retail and Consumer
Supermarket clash underscores need for clarity from UK Supreme Court on trade mark bad faith
Bad faith claim succeeded in ongoing dispute but trade mark and copyright infringement and passing off still found
16/06/2023
Read time
5m
Life Sciences and Healthcare
Use of trade mark for food supplements does not amount to genuine use for pharma products
Food supplements are not considered as a sub-set of pharmaceutical products in class 5 for proving genuine trade mark use
15/06/2023
Read time
3m
Intellectual property
Standing out from the crowd: EUIPO rules that the shape of Dior's Saddle bag lacks distinctiveness
EUIPO Board of Appeal decision has underscored the difficulties with registering 3D marks consisting of the appearance of a luxury...
13/03/2023
Read time
3m
Retail and Consumer
UK Court of Appeal signals interest in dealing with trade mark evergreening
The Court of Appeal reversed the High Court's decision to strike out a bad faith claim based on evergreening in...
09/12/2022
Read time
6m
Intellectual property
General Court finds UK evidence not admissible post-Brexit in EUIPO proceedings
Judgment disagrees with earlier decisions and rejects UK evidence despite pre-Brexit filing date of contested EU mark
22/11/2022
Read time
3m
Intellectual property
Red Bull dismisses Monster's Red Dawg trade mark appeal in UK High Court
The opposition was upheld on the basis that it would free ride on earlier Red Bull mark
11/11/2022
Read time
3m
Life Sciences and Healthcare
EU General Court says risk of similarity between cosmetics and pharmaceuticals in trade mark cases
A blurred line between goods means skincare products may be considered similar across classes 3 and 5
08/11/2022
Read time
2m
Intellectual property
UK High Court provides clarity on registration of colour trade marks
Cadbury allowed to register purple colour trade mark defined by Pantone number alone, vague descriptions warned against
04/11/2022
Read time
3m
Retail and Consumer
UK High Court finding on trade marks and bad faith 'evergreening' set for appeal
A supermarket dispute can go to the Court of Appeal over the decision to accept a strike-out application
06/09/2022
Read time
3m
