
Michael SzlesingerAssociate
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- michael.szlesinger@lewissilkin.com
I am an Associate in the Dispute Resolution team, specialising in Intellectual Property and Media Litigation.
I am a solicitor advocate with Higher Rights of Audience advising clients across a variety of industries, including advertising, marketing, fashion, social media, technology, communications, media and entertainment. I spent six months on secondment to a whistleblowing advisory service, where I gained experience in public interest reporting.
After hours, I am a producer/DJ and as such, have a personal interest in music matters, including drafting and negotiating all types of music contracts, and advising on copyright and royalty disputes. I am a member of the firm’s French Desk, and Media & Entertainment and Regulatory Advice focus groups. I am also a member of IPSoc.
Having grown up in Switzerland, I am fluent in French and proficient in German.
Intellectual Property
- I advise clients on the protection, exploitation and enforcement of all intellectual property and related rights, including patents, designs, trade marks, passing off, copyright, and confidential information.
- I act for clients at all stages of the litigation process, including the initial proceedings (with particular experience before the Intellectual Property Enterprise Court and General IP List), mediation and appeals.
- I advise clients on trade mark infringement and invalidity claims before the UKIPO and EUIPO, global filing strategies and negotiating co-existence agreements.
Dispute Resolution
- I advise clients on online brand enforcement and the takedown of counterfeit and lookalike goods.
- I advise clients on domain name and ownership disputes and the takedown of fraudulent websites.
- I have acted for clients in anti-piracy matters and broadcast right infringement claims against IPTV services.
Media and Reputation
- I have advised clients on the removal of online content due to defamatory or data privacy issues.
- I have acted for clients in defamation claims.
Music Disputes
- I have acted for music publishers in breach of contract claims brought by artists and producers.
- I have acted for independent record labels in copyright infringement claims against major labels
To date, my published work includes:
- Not so intangible: IP rights and real estate (Estates Gazette, 1 June 2022)
- The Metaverse: A Fashion Revolution (The Collective, 27 January 2022)
- Whistleblowing developments: 2021 in review (ELA Briefing, 1 November 2021)
- What you need to know about Brexit and patents (Intellectual Asset Management magazine, 9 December 2020)