{"id":2736,"date":"2025-08-13T11:55:00","date_gmt":"2025-08-13T10:55:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/patworld.com\/us\/?p=2736"},"modified":"2026-01-05T16:54:29","modified_gmt":"2026-01-05T16:54:29","slug":"trademark-expert-oliver-tidman","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/patworld.com\/us\/news\/trademark-expert-oliver-tidman\/","title":{"rendered":"Meet the IP Professional: Oliver Tidman \u2013 Brand Defender Helping Businesses Protect What Makes Them Unique"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

In the latest instalment of our Meet the IP Professional<\/em> series, we spoke to Oliver Tidman<\/strong>, an Intellectual Property lawyer with a deep passion for brand protection and founder of Edinburgh-based law firm Tidman Legal<\/a><\/strong>. With a client-focused approach and a reputation for making IP law accessible, Oliver shared his journey into the world of trademarks, the challenges facing modern businesses, and why prevention truly is better than cure when it comes to protecting your brand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Natural Fit for Innovation and Identity<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

From early on in his legal career, Oliver was drawn to the intersection of law, innovation, and branding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019ve always had an interest in the creative and commercial aspects of business and entrepreneurship \u2014 how ideas become valuable assets,\u201d he explains.
\u201cTrademarks stood out because they\u2019re so closely tied to a business\u2019s identity and reputation. Helping people protect what makes their business unique felt like a natural fit.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This focus on identity and growth led Oliver to establish Tidman Legal<\/strong> in 2017. Before founding his firm, he built experience both in private practice and in-house roles in Edinburgh and London, gaining valuable insights into how different organizations approach IP strategy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Building a Client-Centred IP Practice<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Tidman Legal has carved out a strong niche by offering clear, commercially-minded advice without unnecessary complexity. Whether supporting a startup registering its first trademark or guiding a business expanding overseas, Oliver and his team focus on aligning IP protection with long-term growth goals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe don\u2019t just file trademarks\u2014we help clients build IP strategies across trademarks, patents, designs and copyright. Everything is tailored to help move the business forward.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Common Pitfalls and the Power of Early Action<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When asked about the most frequent mistakes he sees among startups and SMEs, Oliver doesn\u2019t hesitate:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe biggest one? Launching a brand without properly checking if the name is available. Too often, businesses invest in branding, websites, and marketing\u2014only to face opposition or be forced into a costly rebrand.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To help businesses avoid this, Tidman Legal offers a free downloadable guide: \u201c5 Pitfalls of Failing to Register a Trade Mark\u201d<\/em> 5 Branding Pitfalls Guide<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He also stresses the importance of thinking globally from day one, especially for online businesses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Navigating Disputes and Strategic Enforcement<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Trademark disputes, Oliver says, require the foresight of a chess game.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt\u2019s not just about reacting to a move \u2014 it\u2019s about anticipating the other side\u2019s strategy and knowing when to push forward or negotiate.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He recalls one case where a startup faced opposition from a multinational company. Through smart strategy and evidence gathering, they not only protected the application but secured a coexistence agreement. The win was not just in registration, it was in protecting future international growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

IP in a Digital World<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

With brands increasingly operating across borders and platforms, enforcement is becoming more complex.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSome countries allow swift enforcement, others are more drawn out. I\u2019d like to see more action around bad faith filings \u2014 something similar to the process for the Uniform Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy (UDRP), which is fast and cost-effective.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

AI and digital tools are also playing an increasing role in monitoring and clearance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe use AI-powered tools to monitor trade mark applications and alert clients to potential issues. But there\u2019s still a vital role for human insight and strategic advice.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Educating and Empowering Clients<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Oliver is a strong advocate for IP education\u2014especially for startups and small businesses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOften, clients don\u2019t come to us until there\u2019s already a dispute. In my experience, many of these clients don\u2019t fully understand the value of their IP until there is already a dispute or infringement. By that point, they\u2019re on the back foot having to deal with brand damage or even having to rebrand entirely. That\u2019s why I strongly believe that prevention is always better than cure.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tidman Legal supports this through blog posts, webinars, and events to raise awareness and simplify complex IP topics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Looking Ahead: Opportunities and Challenges<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

What\u2019s next for trademarks?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAI is accelerating brand creation. But with that speed comes risk \u2014 deepfakes, voice cloning, and auto-generated infringing content. It\u2019s a challenging area that may need new legislation to keep pace.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Oliver also highlights the need for better funding access for early-stage innovators.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThere is support out there, but the hurdles are often high. I\u2019d like to see more funding aimed at startups, which often have limited resources, so they can access professional IP advice early on.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Personal Reflections<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

What part of your work do you find most rewarding?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHelping someone go from an idea sketched on a napkin to a protected brand on shelves or screens is incredibly satisfying. IP is intangible but its impact is very real \u2013 when a client sees their brand protected and they can grow with confidence, that’s the real payoff.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What advice would you give to aspiring IP professionals who are particularly interested in working with trademarks?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cStart by developing commercial awareness as much as legal expertise. Brands live in the real world \u2013 they evolve, pivot and rebrand. Also, keep an eye on tech, it’s changing the IP landscape faster than legislation can.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Beyond the Office<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When he’s not helping clients protect their brands, you\u2019ll often find Oliver on the squash court competing in the East of Scotland leagues. A recent highlight? A match against a former world No. 1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI only managed to get one point off him but it was a surreal experience!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Oliver enjoys playing saxophone in his spare time and is also a keen hiker and recommends the Pentland Hills just outside Edinburgh:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou get an incredible view across the city over to Fife.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cPlaying sax has a lot in common with IP law. In both worlds, timing is everything \u2013 whether you\u2019re playing the right rhythm or filing a trademark before someone else does!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Connect with Oliver<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n