LK Shields Solicitors recently advised John Hinde Limited and John Hinde (UK) Limited in a significant litigation matter dealing with intellectual property infringements concerning products in Spain.

John Hinde was successful in civil proceedings in Spain that were launched against a Spanish company, Pinesol S.L. The litigation involved copyright and design right infringements, unfair competition, distributorship issues and contract law. Pinesol S.L. had registered a Spanish design for a piggy bank which John Hinde claimed was its original design.

The court found in favour of John Hinde and gave declaratory orders against the Spanish company in respect of the intellectual property rights, in addition to an award of damages to John Hinde. Following an appeal, a settlement agreement was entered into by both parties that dealt with the issues in dispute.

Aine Matthews, an Associate in Intellectual Property and Technology Unit at LK Shields Solicitors, led the team that advised John Hinde, which included external Spanish lawyers in addition to other legal advisers at LK Shields Solicitors. .

July 2007.