Alerts

Warning: Trademark emails sent misusing the name Richard Penfold

16 July 2026

Emails offering to file a trademark with the UK Intellectual Property Office misusing the name Richard Penfold.

What is the scam?

The SRA has seen emails sent from the email address 'richard.penfold@trademarkdept.co.uk' which misuses the name of a genuine solicitor (see below).

The emails inform the recipients that a third party has approached the sender to register the UK brand name of the recipient's business, seeking exclusive rights to their brand name. The email is providing the recipient a final opportunity to secure trademark registration of their brand name first and offers to assist with this process.

The emails contain the business name 'Trademark Dept' the telephone number '0783 076 5607', the website address www.trademarkdept.co.uk and postal address 76 Corporation St, Birmingham, B2 5LS, UK.

The SRA does not authorise or regulate a firm of solicitors with the name 'Trademark Dept'.

Any business or transaction through the above contact details is not undertaken by a firm or solicitor authorised or regulated by the SRA.

Is there a genuine firm or person?

The SRA authorises and regulates a genuine solicitor called Richard Penfold (SRA ID 165226) who is currently a member of the firm Withers LLP (SRA ID 352314).

Richard Penfold has confirmed that he has no connection to 'Trademark Dept’ or the above e-mail.

What should I do?

When a firm's or individual's identity has been copied exactly (or cloned), due diligence is necessary. If you receive correspondence claiming to be from the above firm(s) or individual(s), or information of a similar nature to that described, you should conduct your own due diligence by checking the authenticity of the correspondence by contacting the law firm directly by reliable and established means. You can contact the SRA to find out if individuals or firms are regulated and authorised by the SRA and verify an individual's or firm's practising details. Other verification methods, such as checking public records (e.g. telephone directories and company records) may be required in other circumstances.