William Fry boasts one of Ireland's leading IP litigators in Carol Plunkett. Head of the contentious part of the firm's IP practice, Plunkett is known for her vast experience in IP disputes and track record. The IP team, which numbers 12 lawyers, is equally proficient in patents, trade marks and copyright, and offers non-contentious advice in the latter two categories. The firm is based in Dublin but has a formal association with Tughans Solicitors in Belfast. Some of its recent contentious clients include Tesco, Abercrombie & Fitch, Sanofi-Aventis, Associated Newspapers and Flogas.
Trade mark infringement work has been the more active area for the firm. Plunkett is representing Flogas Ireland against two rival gas suppliers Tru Gas and Langan Fuels. The two cases are being run in conjunction as both matters concern the same claims of passing off, trade mark infringement and piracy.
In another dispute, which is listed for trial, Plunkett is defending Tesco against Aldi in a trade mark infringement action.
On the non-contentious side, the firm has been assisting Valeo Foods with brand protection and FÁS, the State Employment Agency, with copyright matters including the removal of materials that infringed its copyright from several websites.