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Arnold & Porter

World IP Survey Coverage: Print-friendly version

Editorial coverage

United States

Arnold & Porter debuts in the copyright and trade mark rankings this year, having established itself as a leader on matters in which traditional and new media intersect. "Arnold & Porter is considered top tier," said a competitor. "It gets top tier work." The firm represented Tiffany & Co in its widely publicised but unsuccessful challenge to hold eBay with contributory liability for the sale of counterfeit merchandise. James Swire, the lead partner on the case, has since retired.

Arnold & Porter represents all major US TV networks, large studios and PBS in a copyright dispute with two websites that are streaming broadcast TV programming online. In a matter involving secondary liability and fair use, the firm represents Universal Music Group in litigation with DivX regarding copyright protection for music and videos in social networking and user-generated content sites. Robert Garrett of the Washington, DC office was singled out for his copyright practice. "He knows his area cold and does not miss issues," said a client. "He consistently outthinks the opposition and has produced great results." "He's vastly knowledgeable on copyright and communications issues," noted another. "He's assisted us in cutting-edge issues with no judicial precedent."


United Kingdom

Arnold & Porter debuts in the copyright table this year, the market providing solid feedback on the firm's presence and activity in prominent disputes. IP team head Ian Kirby has carved out a reputation as an acclaimed copyright litigator, and Richard Dickinson is also gaining a strong client following in this copyright niche. "Should I ever need sound commercial IP advice within budget and on time in the UK, I tend to ask Richard [Dickinson] and his associate Jake Marshall," says a client. "They deliver user-friendly, sensible advice and have an excellent grasp of our business needs, and their estimates on fees and time are always realistic from the outset so they never disappoint." Kirby formerly advised Michael Jackson, and continues to advise the Michael Jackson Estate in addition to representing Virgin Media in relation to peer-to-peer IP infringement issues and publisher Random House. Other copyright clients include Kraft Foods, Orange and Loewy. The London IP group nabbed the patent litigation team from Milbank last year, including counsel Christopher Stothers and the prominent David Perkins, who prior to Milbank headed up Clifford Chance's European IP litigation. Peers note these moves will improve Arnold & Porter's practice, and so the firm is definitely one to watch, with new heavyweights and expansion into frontier markets such as enzymes. Perkins continues to advise loyal clients Danisco and Aerocrine on major patent litigation strategies. One client, who has worked with Perkins and Stothers for a number of years, has fine words on their skills: "David and Chris each have an exceptional knowledge of the law, a fine eye for recognising the critical issues upon which matters may turn, and an approach that consistently factors in the business desires when developing legal strategy."


Firm contact

This firm does not have a profile in the 2011 Handbook