David Nickless

Background

About David Nickless

I am a highly experienced lawyer specialising in intellectual property and commercial business affairs, particularly in the media industry. I am currently a Legal Director in the IP Team at Fox Williams. Most recently I was a Senior Business Affairs Manager for BBC Studios with a focus on film, television, radio and online production particularly in the entertainment, music, factual and digital originals genres. My experience includes managing the business and legal affairs surrounding the programming for the BBC's charity extravaganza Red Nose Day 2022 with Comic Relief. Before joining BBC Studios, I was a Senior Lawyer in the BBC's Legal Team specialising in Intellectual Property. My experience covers the full spectrum of IP rights, with particular expertise in media copyright. I have over 15 years exprience in legal practice and have prosecuted cases in all the major UK Courts, including the Supreme Court, as well as the European Court of Justice. I have also managed major multi-jurisdictional disputes, including in Europe and the US. I am also a specialist in commercial IP issues particularly the protection, management and exploitation of IP rights. At the BBC I developed considerable commercial contracts expertise, particularly in relation to the development, production and distribution of content and the clearance of the rights in that content. I also have experience of television and film financing. I have a Masters degree in Biological Sciences from Oxford University, a Graduate Diploma in Law and a Diploma in Intellectual Property Law.