Rebecca Swindells

Rebecca Swindells has more than 25 years' experience advising on a wide range of intellectual property rights, including copyright, trademarks, database rights, domain names, and trade secrets. She has a particular focus on technology and IP issues relating to AI (artificial intelligence) and GenAI. Rebecca advises companies on IP disputes, trademark prosecution, IP licensing, advertising, and the protection and enforcement of rights in software and databases. She is also experienced in alternative dispute resolution (ADR), including mediation and expert determination. The 2024 World Trademark Review notes that Rebecca "adroitly manages prosecution and litigation instructions, and has the coordination of cross-border mandates down to a fine art; she delivers clear and straightforward recommendations that align with her clients' wider commercial goals."

Rebecca handles IP litigation for UK and international clients. Recent work includes: acting on a high-value trademark license dispute before the Court of Appeal; representing a technology client in a passing-off claim in the High Court; and two High Court claims regarding copyright in videogames.

In addition to her IP litigation practice, Rebecca regularly advises clients on brand development and protection programs, trademark clearance and prosecution, advertising (particularly greenwashing), and IP licensing.

Rebecca is a member of the Firm's Trade Secrets Task Force and co-chair of the Trade Secrets Enforcement Committee at INTA (International Trademark Association). She is also a member of the IP Lawyers' Association (IPLA), the International Association for the Protection of IP (AIPPI), and the British Literary & Artistic Copyright Association (BLACA). Rebecca tutors on copyright law through the Oxford University Diploma in IP Law and Practice postgraduate vocational course.