Giles Corbally is a Partner at BomhardIP with over 25 years of experience in trade marks. His principle focus is on EU Trade mark and Design prosecution and enforcement.
He has substantial trade mark disputes experience within the EU and beyond, including handling oppositions and cancellation actions before the EU Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO). He also has extensive experience in relation to trade mark portfolio management, searching, filing and prosecuting trade marks throughout Europe and worldwide, in particular handling EUTM and International applications under the Madrid Protocol, the negotiation and drafting of settlement agreements in relation to trade marks, and due diligence.
During his career, Giles has handled trade mark matters and large-scale trade mark portfolios for clients operating in a diverse range of fields, including the beverage, food, confectionery, tobacco, film and TV, entertainment, publishing, pharmaceutical, financial, automobile, engineering, and software and hardware industries. Prior to joining BomhardIP, Giles worked in senior positions, both in London and abroad, for several of the largest International law firms, having started his career working inhouse for the owner of the then world’s largest trade mark portfolio.
He currently is a member of INTA’s Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee and also a member of ECTA’s publication committee and edits the ECTA Bulletin. He also sits on the EU Advisory Board for the global trade mark search provider Corsearch.
In his free time Giles is a keen windsurfer, sailor and climber.
Education
BSc – Cell and Molecular Biology – Oxford Brookes University
MSc – Intellectual Property Law – QMW, University of London
Work Experience
Since 2015: BomhardIP
2009 – 2015: Hogan Lovells, Alicante, Spain
2002 – 2009: Clifford Chance, London, UK
1999 – 2002: Linklaters, London, UK
1997 – 1999: Hammonds, London, UK
1996 – 1997: Unilever plc, London, UK
Memberships
INTA, APAA, ECTA
Publications
October, 2018 – The CJEU on seniorities – all change!, ECTA e- Bulletin LINK
October, 2017 – Further guidance from the General Court on bad faith – PayPal, Inc. v. EUIPO, T-132/16, ECTA e-Bulletin
June, 2017 – Interview – Cécile Samalens, ECTA Bulletin
October, 2017 – CJEU confirms: piecemeal renewals of EUTMs are possible – Nissan Jidiosha KK v. EUIPO, C 207/15 P, ECTA e-Bulletin
February, 2016 – Interview – Kristiane Brøndum Vandborg, ECTA e-Bulletin
October, 2015 – European trade mark law reform: key changes for trade mark owners, ECTA e-Bulletin
Positions
Member – INTA’s Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee
Member – Publications Committee – ECTA
Board Member – EU Advisory Board – Corsearch
Recent Speakings Engagements
April, 2018 – Pan-European Seal IP Campus Event at the EUIPO, Alicante, Spain
January, 2015 – IPR Helpdesk – Trademarks and Licensing
September, 2014 – Recent Developments in EU Case law [Webinar]
April, 2014 – OHIM Tertulia – Convergence Program (CP4) on scope of protection for black and white marks, Alicante, Spain
Contact
Phone
Vcard
Rankings & Awards
MIP IP Star 2025 – here
WIPR Leaders 2024 Spain – here
MIP IP Star 2024 – here
2024 WTR 1000 (Silver Ranking: “Giles Corbally can be counted on for any and all EU trademark matters, including prosecution, counselling, enforcement and contentious matters. He is thoughful, business minded and practical, as well as a pleasure to work with.”) – Social card here
WIPR Leaders 2023 Spain – here
MIP IP Star 2023 – here
2023 WTR 1000 (Silver Ranking: “Giles Corbally’s reputation for level-headed and sound advice is legendary. With over 25 years of experience under his belt, he blends all-encompassing IP insight with commercial nous.”) – Social card here
2022 WTR 1000 (Silver Ranking: “Approachable and efficient, Giles Corbally has an impressive list of clients and is particularly excellent in opposition and litigation proceedings.”) – Social card here
2021 WTR 1000 (Silver Ranking: “Giles Corbally is an oppositions whizz with an encyclopaedic understanding of procedural rules and the Madrid Protocol.”) – Social card here
WIPR Leaders 2021 Spain – here
2020 WTR 1000 (Silver Ranking: “Giles Corbally is an authority on EU trademarks and designs and a fount of insight and analysis regarding international IP law. Top brand owners place their trust in his commercial judgement, which he exercises astutely in the course of managing the most valuable trademarks.”) – Social card here
Who´s Who Legal: Trademark 2019 – Spain (PDF)
2019 WTR 1000 (Silver Ranking: ”Giles Corbally is another EU trademarks authority who handles sprawling portfolios and vital disputes with consummate ease.”)
2018 WTR 1000 ( Silver Ranking; “Giles has a flair for the trickiest prosecution mandates and is best known for centralised searching and clearance.”)
2017 Who´s Who Legal – Trademarks – Spain
2017 WTR 1000 – Recommended Individual – “His customer care skills are some of the best in the business and he is a practical, down-to-earth guy whom clients really warm to”
2016 WTR 1000 – Recommended Individual – “Giles is a reference when it comes to Community trademark and design matters, both contentious and non-contentious. He can effortlessly administer large portfolios, having done so throughout his career, encompassing both in-house and private practice positions.”