Martin Howe QC; Called to the Bar in 1978, Appointed Queens Counsel in 1996
Martin Howe's practice concentrates on Intellectual property law, European Community law, data protection and commercial and public law cases. Martin is regularly instructed on high technology cases, with particular emphasis on the computing, internet and information technology field. Martin also has extensive experience in biotechnology/genetic engineering cases. IP work includes patents, trade marks, copyrights, conditional access (decryption) rights, designs, databases and confidential information. He has recently been heavily involved in cross-border satellite television broadcasting which involves technical issues as well as EC law on the free movement of goods and services and the developing European single audiovisual area. Martin maintains an extensive EC law practice in the free movement of goods and services, pharmaceutical, agrochemical and foodstuff regulatory law and data protection, as well as IP related EC work.
Martin regularly appears before the European Court of Justice, Luxembourg, the European Patent Office, Munich, Technical Boards of Appeal and Opposition Divisions, as well as before English appellate and first instance courts and tribunals.
Publications: Author of leading practitioner textbooks: Russell-Clarke and Howe on Industrial Designs, Sweet & Maxwell, (1998 and 2005 Eds), and Halsbury's Laws Title on Trade Marks (1985, 1995, 2000 Eds), as well as numerous articles in legal journals and public lectures and seminars.
Education and industry experience: Martin holds a degree in Engineering (Part I) and Law (Part II) at Cambridge University (Trinity Hall), where he was awarded the Baker Prize for Engineering; Bar Exams course at College of Law, London (awarded the ver Heyden Foundation Prize for advocacy, and Harmsworth Exhibition and Astbury Law Prize by the Middle Temple). Before joining chambers Martin worked as a commercial and systems software programmer for IBM and for a software house, and continues to maintain an interest in evolving computer technology.