Will is a media and crypto assets solicitor who specialises in the protection of intellectual property and reputational rights for a range of clients, including public figures, artists, luxury brands and technology companies – in size from start-ups to multi-nationals.
In the media sector, Will has acted for clients in complex and high-profile defamation and privacy protection claims, as well as commercial brand protection actions.
In the digital assets sector, he has acted for cryptocurrencies at the pre- and post-Initial Coin Offering stages, and his practice now focusses on advising complex and innovative NFT projects, both before their initial token drop, and after, on additional associated projects. He provides comprehensive and practical advice on the non-contentious, essential elements of NFT projects, such as: regulatory laws that may affect the tokens, protective commercial agreements, complying with data protection and privacy obligations, and protecting valuable IP rights.
With a strong litigation background, he is also well placed to advise clients on dispute resolution and represents clients in the High Court, Business and Property Courts and Intellectual Property Enterprise Court (IPEC).
Expertise
- NFTs
- Cryptocurrencies
- Digital asset regulation
- Intellectual property
- Commercial and corporate obligations and structures
- Dispute resolution and litigation
- Data protection
- Privacy
- Defamation
Experience
Intellectual Property
- Advised a cryptocurrency as to the enforcement of its IP rights and the resolution of litigation surrounding a funding white paper.
- Advised a London-Turkish joint venture technology start-up in respect of its IP rights in the dissolution of a blockchain technology platform venture.
- Advised a technology company, operating exclusively in the oil industry, in a claim for infringement of registered designs and design rights in the UK and Kazakhstan.
- Acted for a UK-based software company against a leading US bank in a copyright and database rights infringement claim concerning the creation of bespoke and highly complex financial analytical software.
- Acted for a Paris-based, international luxury cosmetics brand, protecting and enforcing its IP rights against major international retailers.
- Acted for several established London-based media and advertising agencies, advising in respect of copyright and trade mark rights in advertising campaigns for leading brands.
- Acted for several licensors and food suppliers in respect of the enforcement of plant variety rights.
- Represented a famous international drinks brand, advising on the compliance of its advertising with the ASA regulations and third-party IP rights.
- Defended a London-based movie production company in passing-off proceedings.
- Acted for a celebrity fitness personality and actor in respect of infringement of his performance rights and copyright in promotional exercise content.
- Acted for a well-known figure in a ‘freezing order’ injunction application in a high-value art fraud case.
Defamation, Privacy & Data Protection
- Acted for a well-known public figure in securing their exclusion from the memoir of another very well-known celebrity.
- Acted on behalf of a well-known public figure in the News Group Newspapers phone-hacking litigation.
- Acted for several blue-chip established brands, on cyber breaches leading to data loss, including liaising with the ICO and defending resulting claims from data subjects, including privacy claims.
- Acted for a global defence contractor, advising on defamation and breach of confidentiality claims arising out of Ministry of Defence tenders, including litigation in Hong Kong.
- Acted on behalf of several local authorities in the defence of group litigation claims arising from the theft of personal data following cyber hacks.
- Acted for an Italian luxury fashion brand on its launch in the UK (London) as to data protection and privacy law considerations for its UK trading operations.
- Advised a heritage brand on defamatory allegations contained in articles published in hard copy and online in an industry magazine, both in the UK and Australasia.
- Advised a charity in the healthcare sector in respect of the trolling of its staff by unknown third parties, relating to unfounded claims of abuse.
- Acted for individual trustees of a charity in respect of allegations of fraud and deceit.
- Acted for a Hong Kong-based individual in a UK-focused defamation and harassment injunction application.
- Acted for an internationally renowned aesthetic doctor in a claim against a former professional employee in respect of misuse of confidential information and infringement of database rights.
Media
- Advised an author, in a pre-publication review of a novel and associated screenplay, on defamation, privacy and IP considerations.
- Acted for several NFT projects in the entertainment, creative arts and sports sectors, advising on their regulatory, intellectual property, commercial and corporate obligations and structures.
- Acted for several established London-based media and advertising agencies, advising in respect of copyright and trade mark rights in advertising campaigns for leading brands.
- Advised an Italian fashion brand on its launch in the UK (London) as to data protection and privacy law considerations for its UK trading operations.
- Represented a famous international drinks brand, advising on the compliance of its advertising with the ASA regulations and third-party IP rights.
- Defended a London-based movie production company in passing-off proceedings.
- Acted for several blue-chip established brands, on cyber breaches leading to data loss, including liaising with the ICO and defending resulting claims from data subjects, including privacy claims.
- Acted for a French design house, enforcing its extensive portfolio of registered design rights in the UK.
Crypto & Digital Assets
- Advised a cryptocurrency as to the enforcement of its IP rights and the resolution of litigation surrounding a funding white paper.
- Advised a football-focussed NFT project as to intellectual property infringement risk, current partnership agreements, regulatory obligations, and commercial licensing.
- Acted for an individual in a crypto fraud scam involving crypto mining and the recovery of investment funds.
- Advised an art-focussed NFT project on competing intellectual property rights, and the protection of moral rights.
- Advised a luxury goods NFT project on the cross-border element of consignment agreements and consumer sale obligations.
Recognition
Member of the UK Parliament’s All Party Parliamentary Group on Artificial Intelligence
Shortlisted for the Citywealth Brand Management and Reputation Awards 2023, in the “Corporate Thought Leadership – Crypto” category
“Will Charlesworth is a respected litigator, particularly knowledgeable in the areas of IP and software disputes. His work frequently includes cross-border elements. A client values his ‘technical knowledge, practical approach and ability to communicate legalese at our level’.” Chambers and Partners 2019
“Will Charlesworth is a respected intellectual property disputes lawyer. He has a particular specialism in software disputes and handling domain name cybersquatting issues.” Chambers and Partners 2017
“Highly Experienced.” The Legal 500 2017
Career
Will qualified as a solicitor in 2008. Prior to joining Keystone Law in 2023, he worked at the following firms:
- Saunders Law
- BLM
- Child & Child
- Cripps