Food & Drink

Names, logos, sub-brands, recipes, packaging, designs – our IP attorneys help food and drink brands to protect their intellectual property globally.

We protect: food & drink brands

In the competitive food and drink landscape, innovation needs protection. Businesses need to gain (and maintain) their competitive edge.

You may be looking to develop new product lines or expand into new markets. You could be navigating complex licensing agreements, introducing novel processes or trying to defend against a ‘copycat’ brand.

Our intellectual property attorneys work closely with start-ups, national brands and large multinationals right across this diverse sector, ensuring they have comprehensive IP protection tailored to their unique needs.

From the obvious to the obscure, we’ll help to protect what sets your brand apart with robust, cost-effective, commercial legal solutions.

This may cover branding, packaging design, materials, non-traditional trade marks (such as shapes and colours) or proprietary food technology.

By creating an IP strategy aligned with your goals, our attorneys can help you tap into tomorrow’s markets.

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The experts in food & drink intellectual property

The attorneys in our food and drink team are legal, technical and subject matter experts with extensive professional backgrounds in the sector.

We have worked with all types of clients: multinational brands, international wholesale producers, distributors, agri-tech and food science businesses, independent start-ups, packaging innovators, franchise operators and more.

We bring a deep understanding of the intricacies of food and drink-related IP and a unique appreciation of the everyday challenges and pain points you face.

By drawing on first-hand industry insight and commercial nous, our attorneys can strengthen your competitive position at each stage of the IP lifecycle.

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A global food & drink intellectual property law firm

Founded in 1975, we have advised clients across the food and drink sector for over five decades – from leading global frozen food manufacturers to bottled water charities, artisan food producers and craft breweries.

As a law firm, we are repeatedly recognised in leading IP directories for excellence in service delivery. We offer seamless global IP coordination across Europe, Asia and the Americas.

Whatever the size or structure of your business, whatever stage you are at, we’ll help you to develop a pragmatic, practical and commercially-focused strategy.

Trust our preeminent team to find the right IP solutions for your most complex challenges.

Our food & drink IP team

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Jacqueline McKay

Director, Trade Marks

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Joanna Winwood

Senior Patent Attorney

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Véronique Auger

Director, Trade Marks

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Christopher Banister

Senior Trade Mark Attorney

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Annabel Hanratty

Director, Trade Marks

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The full suite of IP services for the food & drink sector

Our team offers the full spectrum of IP attorney and managed services for contentious and non-contentious matters, covering trade marks, design rights and patents.

This includes audits, global filing, searching, packaging protection, watching and trade mark oppositions. We also offer litigation support, strategy and ongoing portfolio management and advice around licensing arrangements and agreements.

We can also cover anti-counterfeiting, enforcement against ‘lookalike’ brands and due diligence for mergers and acquisitions.

We adopt a proactive approach, aiming to become a trusted extension of your internal team by working closely with founders, R&D teams, brand managers, supply chain directors and in-house counsel.

For large trademark portfolios like we have, I trust Murgs to manage these in a way my small team is unable to. The support is invaluable.

Legal Manager, Global Spirits Company

Jackie McKay is like an extension of my inhouse team - her historic knowledge of my business is fantastic.

Legal Department, Food and Drinks Company

Thank you for your excellent help on this (Design restoration matter).

Agent for Food technology start-up

“Excellent. Expert. First-class client care.” Murgitroyd is home to a team of top-rate practitioners who deliver “an exceptional experience from start to finish”

WTR 1000 2026 Research Insights

Murgitroyd is an exceptional firm with many excellent practitioners across technology areas.

Managing IP Research Insights

Murgitroyd leverages its extensive international presence and deep local insights to provide solid support to an impressive client base.

WTR 1000

Expert food & drink IP insights

Discuss your ideas with our food & drink team

Safeguard your food and beverage innovations with expert IP protection. From unique recipes to standout branding and packaging, we help secure what sets your products apart.

+44 [0] 141 307 8400info@murgitroyd.com
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