Collas Crill IP Protects Image of Tennis Star Heather Watson

Collas Crill IP have worked together with Legis Group to register the image rights for world class tennis player Heather Watson.

Heather joins a growing list of high profile personalities across the globe in the world of sport, media and entertainment who have used the registry to protect their personal brand and identity.

Collas Crill IP director Jason Romer said "The close collaboration between the Collas Crill team and Fran Snoding at Legis Group meant we could bring together our combined expertise. Our legal and IP know-how fused perfectly with Legis Group to ensure that Heather's increasingly valuable image, and everything associated with it, is fully protected."

Guernsey is the first jurisdiction to create a registrable image right, enabling effective management and control of the commercial use of a person's identity, and images associated with that person, including distinctive expressions, characteristics or attributes.

Fran Snoding, director at Legis Group explained "we are very proud to have combined innovative IP with our services in a way which will benefit and support Heather's future career."

Collas Crill's intellectual property specialists were among the architects of this robust and innovative new law which came into force in December 2012, drawing on both trademark and copyright principles.

David Evans, also a director of Collas Crill IP was delighted and added "these are exciting times in the world of image rights – both for us as service providers and leaders in this field and for Heather as her reputation and image become ever more valuable. We are thrilled to have been able to help her protect her image."

Both companies agree that it is fantastic that someone with such great talent is so dominant on the world sports stage and this business partnership further places both Heather and Guernsey at the forefront of Image Rights innovation.