- Defending a famous perfume designer in High Court proceedings for trade mark infringement and breach of contract.
- Representing a fashion brand in High Court copyright infringement proceedings against Shein.
- Representing a NHS Foundation Trust in High Court copyright infringement proceedings to protect their machine learning algorithms.
- Representing a UK sea and surf clothing brand in a successful claim against a competitor product, which changed the law on trade mark genericism.
- Advising on the use of creative works for AI training, the current status of UK copyright law and copyright ownership of AI-generated works.
- Defending a contemporary furniture designer in IPEC proceedings for design right and copyright infringement.
- Representing a UK soft toy designer in IPEC registered design right proceedings against a supermarket lookalike product.
- Defending a website designer in High Court proceedings for copyright infringement.
Expertise
"I love IP because it enables creators to be brave in a world where it takes courage to make change. I work with clients to leverage the value of their creative and brand assets in a way that suits their business."
Rebecca works across all contentious IP but has developed a subject-matter expertise in copyright (including AI), design rights and unregistered rights. This is recognised by clients and practitioners who come to her to seek advice, training and thought leadership in this area. Rebecca is experienced in advising claimants and defendants in both issued and pre-action disputes.
Experience
Education
- University of Oxford – 2014 (BA in Jurisprudence, First Class)
Publications
- Retail Week – Shein v Temu Explained
- PLC Magazine (Reuters): Report on Copyright and AI
- World IP Review: Getty ruling signals new risks for AI developers
- Managing IP: The Getty v Stability AI judgement
- IPKat: An object Lesson in Unregistered Designs
- Managing IP: The importance of what the Anthropic settlement is not
- World IP Review: What is an 'AI training declaration' and who might need one?
- Managing IP: The courts step in while the Commons step back, 17 June 2025, Managing IP
- World IP Review: Getty v Stability AI: Five takeaways from the courtroom so far
- World IP Review: Getty v Stability AI: an observers view, 11 July 2025, Managing IP
- A New Years makeover fair use - just in time
- OI, THAT'S MINE - AI ownership and the terrible twos
- Managing IP: Word on the street - graffiti and IP
Recognition
- Managing IP Notable Practitioner 2025, 2026
- Managing IP Rising Star – 2022, 2023, 2024
Testimonials
- "Geoff Steward and Rebecca Newman are both excellent litigators. Geoff is very experienced in the trademark field, and Rebecca is quickly developing a reputation as a nationally leading copyright expert. The culture of the firm is down-to-earth and easy to work with." - Legal 500 2026
- "Rebecca Newman is a nailed-on star of the future." - Legal 500 2026
- "Rebecca Newman is a super-bright associate, destined to be a market leading practitioner." - Legal 500
