Rebecca Swindells has more than 20 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 the technology, media, and telecommunications (TMT) industry together with the retail and financial services sectors. 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. She is currently acting on a high-value trademark license dispute before the Court of Appeal and is representing a technology client in a passing-off claim in the High Court. Recent cases include High Court litigation regarding a technical trade secrets claim for a chemical manufacturing multinational and a High Court claim 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) and the British Literary & Artistic Copyright Association (BLACA).
Experience
Additional Publications
- April 2020
Protecting Trade Secrets at Home - The Risks of Remote Working Through COVID-19
Additional Speaking Engagements
- October 29, 2024
How to Capitalise on your Business' Trade Secrets in the AI Era - April 16, 2024
IAM Live Trade Secret Strategy Europe “Protecting your business’ Crown Jewels” - January 9, 2023
The 2023 Sedona Conference on Global IP Litigation - August 9, 2022
Trade Secrets/Cybersecurity - July 30, 2020
Jones Day's Roundtable Webinar: Trade Secrets 2020 - Combating New Threats
"I have not come across a more thorough and technically capable lawyer — she produces advice that is user-friendly and the quality is unbeatable."Chambers
- The College of Law, London (Legal Practice Course 1998; Common Professional Examination 1997); Oxford University (B.A. in Classics 1996; Shaw Lefevre scholarship)
- Solicitor of the Senior Courts of England and Wales
Chambers: recognized since 2008: "particularly adept at matters concerning internet and digital media"; "very responsive and helpful ... really impressive"; "high level of expertise and technical skill"; "intellectually a cut above the rest"
WTR (2019): "extremely responsible and thorough...offers comprehensive, pragmatic and clear advice often at very short notice"
Client Choice Awards 2024: Winner, Intellectual Property — Copyright, United Kingdom
Who's Who Legal: IP (2024): "Leader in Copyright" (England)