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Richard Plaistowe

Principal Associate

What can I do for you

Richard has specialised in intellectual property law since 1992. His work covers IP infringement claims and other IP disputes,  IP agreements (including licences, R&D agreements, assignments, and collaborations), IP support in corporate transactions (including due diligence, warranties and supporting agreements) and trade mark and registered design applications (including advising on registrability and filing strategy, and oppositions and invalidation applications).

Supporting your ambitions

Richard’s recent highlights include the following. Protecting the name of “Basmati” rice by opposing applications for trade marks which include this name but which are not exclusively for Basmati rice. This has involved the successful application of the law of “extended form” passing off, based on the goodwill which this name has acquired in the UK. Assisting a technology client in relation to demands by alleged owners of standard essential patents that it take out a licence under these patents. This has involved applying the law in a fast developing and increasingly important field, and providing strategic advice.

What do others say

Richard has been described in the Chambers and Legal 500 legal directories as a “star performer”, “resourceful, thorough, and combative where necessary” and “'incisive, prompt, and personable” Richard has been recommended in the latest edition of Legal 500 for IP protection and enforcement.

What else should you know

Richard started his career in intellectual property law in South Africa, where he qualified as an attorney with top SA firm Webber Wentzel in Johannesburg.

Richard is a keen cyclist, who has ascended Mont Ventoux and Alpe d'Huez, and cycled 1,300 miles in January 2018!

What our clients say about us

  • I think Mills & Reeve are a wonderful firm. The support they have provided to us in a really difficult area has been brilliant, collaborative and commercially minded. The team were absolutely wonderful and a joy to work with. Amazing advice and support and a real collaborative effort with us. I can't thank them enough for getting us through some really tough times and doing so with an amazing can-do attitude.
  • They are friendly, fast, always available and always on top of the game. I tend to judge my legal team against the other side's legal team and never doubt Mills & Reeve is the better of the two.
  • All interactions have been very clear. Responses to questions have always been very swift and unambiguous. Our company, and my family, have used various services in Mills & Reeve with the same level of satisfaction.
  • I value the fact that Mills & Reeve are recognised as a good place to work in the UK Best Companies survey. This aligns with the values of our business and means that Mills & Reeve can share what is required to achieve this status with our business.

As many clients will testify, too many lawyers deliver the required legal expertise but fail to deliver an outstanding client experience. Which is why we always listen to our clients and constantly ask ourselves what we can do to deliver the results you expect.

You expect a close and attentive working relationship, with a lawyer that is responsive and available when you need them. You also want clear, pragmatic and commercial advice tailored to your needs, and transparency and certainty on costs. We completely agree. That’s why every day, through our culture and approach we are committed to delivering the exceptional results and service our clients expect of us.

Related sectors and services

  • Africa
  • Brands
  • Commercial
  • Education
  • Food and agribusiness
  • Health and care
  • Higher education and research
  • Intellectual property
  • Intellectual property disputes
  • Owner managed and family businesses
  • Patents
  • Private wealth

Contact Richard