Lupton Fawcett LLP

John Sykes - Director
0113 2802113
john.sykes@luptonfawcett.com

John Sykes is a graduate in business administration, is a qualified UK solicitor, and trained as a patent attorney. He has 23 years experience as an intellectual property and competition lawyer and advisor.

He has handled many leading intellectual property disputes reported as precedent cases. From the early 1980's through to the cases in 2002 involving design rights and a well known brand.

John Sykes has advised in all types of transactions involving intellectual property and competition issues both in his home country and internationally, often leading teams working on major transactions. These have involved due diligence in M & A and Corporate Finance work including "freedom to operate” due diligence, the assesment of infringement of intellectual property rights and competition laws, the assignment and licensing of intellectual property and the use of intellectual property as security for business finance.

He has in recent years been asked by companies and investors to advice on and influence strategies and processes about the management, exploitation and valuation of intellectual property.

He has lectured extensively on all aspects of intellectual property and is the author of two leading intellectual property books. The first published in 2003 is called "Valuation and Exploitation of Intellectual Property and Intangible Assets". The second published in 2005 is a major work called "Intellectual property in Designs" which covers designs laws in the UK and European Union and major jurisdictions including the United States, China and Japan.

John has received many commendations, some of which are "especially good…. he really knows his stuff", "Pioneering" and a "Doyen of IP …"

Ann Critchell-Ward
0113 280 2025
ann.crtichell-ward@lupptonfawcett.com

Ann Critchell-Ward has joined our intellectual property practice as a Senior Associate. Ann was previously Head of Intellectual Property and Branding at her previous firm, a respected Midlands practice and is listed as a 'leader in her field' in the 2010 edition of the lawyers directory Chambers & Partners.

Ann handles all aspects of both contentious and non-contentious IP work, from dealing with applications for trade marks and registered designs, advising about patent protection and infringement, through to working on high profile anti-counterfeiting campaigns. She is particularly well known for her work in the retail sector advising major retailers.

Ann is an Associate of the Chartered Institute of Patent Agents, a member of LES, INTA, The Intellectual Property Lawyers Organisation and The Law Society Intellectual Property Working Party.