Esther Gunaratnam

Esther has over 25 years’ experience in intellectual property (IP), IT, commercial matters and data protection. She specialises in all aspects of IP, with an emphasis on global brand protection, exploitation and technology transfers, as well as broad-based commercial IP issues.

She also advises on IT contracts and e-commerce, including software development and licensing deals in fintech and other sectors. Esther’s work also includes data protection compliance advice and documentation, as well as advising UK and global organisations on complaints and regulatory investigations.

Her sector focus is broad but has predominantly been in technology and engineering, often with well-known brands and/or with an international flavour, which reflects her academic and personal background.

• Advising on global IP portfolio management for a number of internationally well-known organisations and complex international brand licensing programs.
• Acting on cross-border patent licensing and related commercial contracts in various industry sectors including relating to products and technology used in security papers, including banknotes and relating to biotech agreements, including patent licensing, clinical trials and material transfers involving research institutes, listed companies and well-known industry players.
• In relation to the automotive industry, advising various clients such as on cross-border collaboration and related agreements to develop and manufacture a new model of motor vehicle and on the UK aspects of the international rollout of brand-new in-car infotainment and mobile services for a prestigious automotive group, including data protection, product liability, competition law, consumer rights and other legal aspects.
• Acting for publishers of authoritative references and publications (traditional and digital) in their fields in relation to the exploitation of their works internationally.
• Negotiating and advising on the international franchises of various businesses.
• Acting as “in-house” and external specialist data protection expert for international/high-profile businesses, including managing / dealing with day-to-day as well as complex data protection needs, subject access requests (SARs), as well as complaints and regulatory investigations and policies advice.

Esther grew up in Hong Kong and is a native Chinese. She speaks fluent Cantonese and some Mandarin. She has a master’s degree in electrical and electronic engineering with management from Imperial College, London and worked briefly in the engineering industry.