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Jaani Riordan

CALL: 2012 (Australia 2009, England & Wales 2012, Ireland 2021*)
Jaani Riordan
Jaani Riordan practises in all areas of intellectual property and technology litigation, with particular expertise in disputes involving the Internet, AI, software and telecommunications.

He has a technical background in computer science (majoring in AI) and a PhD in law from the University of Oxford, where his research examined accessory liability for internet wrongdoing.

Jaani is regularly instructed as sole and junior counsel in the High Court and Court of Appeal, and has appeared in the leading case on website blocking injunctions in the Supreme Court.

Jaani has substantial experience in all fields of intellectual property law, as well as jurisdiction disputes, FRAND licensing, interim injunctions, damages inquiries, and remedies for hacking, domain squatting and other internet wrongdoing. He is the author of The Liability of Internet Intermediaries (2016, Oxford University Press).

He has been ranked by the leading directories in our core practice areas for a number of years:

  • Chambers & Partners: Intellectual Property (Band 1, 10 years ranked), Media & Entertainment (Band 1, 8 years ranked), Information Technology (Band 2, 5 years ranked)
  • Legal 500: Intellectual Property (Leading Junior, Band 1), IT and Telecoms (Leading Junior, Band 1)
  • Experience

    Patents & SPCs

    • Throughputer Inc v Amazon Web Services UK Ltd (2026): acting for AWS in patent infringement claim relating to cloud datacentre hardware and data processing system (ongoing).
    • Phillips NV v Oppo Mobile UK Ltd (2023): acted for Oppo in patent dispute relating to uplink power control and adaptive modulation and coding schemes for control channels (settled before trial).
    • Nokia Technologies Oy v Oppo Mobile UK Ltd (2023): acted for Oppo in patent dispute relating to multiplexing control channel signalling, raising substantial disputes as to priority and validity (settled before trial).
    • Insulet Corp v Menarini Diagnostics Ltd [2024] EWHC 3086 (Pat): acted for medical device manufacturer in claim alleging patent infringement and joint tortfeasorship in relation to manufacture and importation of insulin pumps, following a substantial jurisdictional dispute (settled before trial).
    • Phillips NV v Xiaomi Inc (2022): acted for Xiaomi in two technical patent claims and FRAND dispute relating to standards essential telecommunications patents (settled before judgment).
    •  Facebook Ireland Ltd v Voxer LLC [2021] EWHC 1377 (Pat); [2021] FSR 27: acted for Facebook in claim to revoke patent relating to multimedia communications systems.
    •  Insulet Corp v Roche Diabetes Care Ltd [2021] EWHC 1933 (Pat): acted for patentee (medical device manufacturer) in claim relating to patent for portable insulin infusion device.
    • Teva UK Ltd v Gilead Sciences Inc [2019] EWCA Civ 2272 and [2018] EWHC 2416 (Pat): acted for generic pharmaceutical companies in challenge to validity of SPC for combination anti-retroviral medication, including a reference to the CJEU.
    • Unwired Planet International Ltd v Huawei Technologies Co Ltd & Samsung Electronics Co Ltd [2016] EWHC 94 (Pat): a large telecommunications patent trial (led by Richard Meade QC and Isabel Jamal for Unwired Planet).
    • Warner-Lambert Company LLC v Actavis Group PTC EHF [2015] EWHC 2548 (Pat): assisted in a complex pharmaceutical patent trial concerning a Swiss-form claim.

    Copyright, databases & performers' rights

    • UKHO v Samyung ENC Co Ltd [2026] EWHC 206 (Ch): acting for geospatial data licensor in claim against Korean chart plotter device manufacturer for breach of contract, copyright and database right infringement, and subsequent damages inquiry.
    • JJH Enterprises Ltd v Microsoft Corp [2025] CAT 75: acting for Microsoft in claim brought by second-hand software reseller alleging infringements of competition law; appeared at preliminary issues trial concerning copyright exhaustion; and in subsequent appeal to the Court of Appeal (ongoing).
    • AFM SAG-AFTRA v Secretary of State [2025] EWHC 1944 (Ch); [2025] EWHC 3262 (Ch): acting for claimant US collecting societies in Francovich damages claim against UK government alleging defective implementation of EU and international treaties (ongoing).
    • Getty Images (US) Inc v Stability AI Limited [2023] EWHC 3090 (Ch): acted for defendant AI model developer in claim alleging copyright and database right infringement, trade mark infringement and passing off by training and importing generative AI models; settled Defence and appeared at interim strike-out hearings.
    • TuneIn Inc v Warner Music UK Ltd [2021] EWCA Civ 441 and [2019] EWHC 2923 (Ch); [2020] ECDR 8: acted for online music platform in claim alleging copyright infringement by communication to the public via hyperlinks to publicly accessible radio streams.
    • Software Solutions Ltd v 365 Health and Wellbeing Ltd [2021] EWHC 237 (IPEC): acted for claimant in software copyright dispute relating to XML schema and source code copying, and flagrancy by the defendant.
    • Nintendo Co Ltd v British Telecommunications plc [2021] EWHC 3511 (Ch): acted for Nintendo in claim relating to pirate software for Nintendo Switch games consoles.
    • Take-Two Interactive Software Inc v James [2020] EWHC 179 (Pat): acted for major videogame publisher in claim against sellers of cheat software.
    • Ansari v Google LLC [2022] EWHC 226 (Ch): acted for Google to defend claim alleging copyright infringement, misuse of private information, breach of data protection legislation and breach of confidence.
    • Young v Google Ireland Ltd [2020] EWHC 3547 (IPEC): acted for Google in claim relating to Google Books, and application to strike out.
    • Wheat v Google LLC [2020] EWHC 27 (Ch): acted for Google in claim alleging liability for unauthorised scraping and indexing, and related jurisdictional dispute.
    • Confidential Arbitration: Acted for major DSP licensee v major publishing rights CMO in this 6 day arbitration in 2022.
    • Confidential Arbitration: Large social media platform v major publishing rights CMO in 2020.
    • Sprint Electric Ltd v Buyer’s Dream Ltd [2020] EWHC 2004 (Ch): sole counsel in damages inquiry for breach of software development agreement and non-delivery of source code.
    • Confidential Arbitration: acted in dispute between collecting societies relating to collection and distribution of radio and television broadcast revenue.
    • British Broadcasting Corp v MCPS & PRS [2018] CT 129/16: acted for BBC in major licensing dispute in the Copyright Tribunal.
    • 77M Ltd v Ordnance Survey Ltd [2019] EWHC 3007 (Ch): acted for start-up company in dispute concerning databases of geospatial data raising issues relating to Crown geospatial data and licence interpretation.
    • Sprint Electric Ltd v Buyer’s Dream Ltd [2018] EWHC 1924 (Ch): claim for delivery up of source code for embedded software, and breach of contract.
    • ITV Broadcasting Ltd v TVCatchUp Ltd (C-275/15), EU:C:2017:144: acted for intervener in CJEU reference concerning interpretation of the Information Society Directive and retransmission of television broadcasts.
    • Advised well-known platforms on liability for user-generated content and safe harbours.

    Trade marks & brands

    • Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc v Kleindienst (2025): acted for MGM in IPO opposition and revocation proceedings relating to James Bond trade mark portfolio.
    • SkyScanner SAS v Fly-Scanner (2024): acting for claimant in claim alleging trade mark infringement and passing off by flight search engine.
    • easyGroup v Nuclei Ltd [2022] EWHC 901 (Ch); [2023] EWCA Civ 1247: acted for defendant in substantial trade mark and passing off dispute raising issues of historic use, res judicata, validity and infringement, at first instance and on appeal.
    • John Lobb SAS v John Lobb Ltd [2022] EWHC 2306 (Ch): acted for claimant (a subsidiary of Hermès) in dispute concerning ownership of brand rights, raising allegations of common mistake in relation to an historic settlement agreement.
    • Swatch AG v Apple Inc [2021] EWHC 719 (Ch): acted for Apple in trade mark dispute in IPO and appeal raising allegations of bad faith, relative grounds of invalidity.
    • In re Progressive Games Partners LLC (2021, EUIPO): acted for trade mark applicant in EUIPO opposition raising issues of inherent and acquired distinctiveness.
    • Argos Ltd v Argos Systems Inc [2018] EWCA Civ 2211: acted for US website operator at trial (sole counsel) and in Court of Appeal; a key authority on jurisdiction over domain name and keyword advertising disputes.
    • Walton International Ltd v Verweij Fashion BV [2018] EWHC 1608 (Ch): claim for trade mark infringement and passing off, raising complex issues of revocation, internet use, and procedure.
    • Apple Inc v Sherlock Systems CV [2017] IPO (O-015-17): acted for Apple in strike-out of 68 parallel revocation proceedings as abuse of process, raising novel procedural issues.
    • R (British American Tobacco UK Ltd) v Secretary of State for Health [2016] EWHC Civ 1182; [2016] EWHC 1169 (Admin): acted in challenge to tobacco plain packaging legislation raising issues of compatibility with EU law, TRIPS, and fundamental rights.
    • Thomas Pink Ltd v Victoria’s Secret UK Ltd [2014] EWHC 2631 (Ch): a claim of trade mark infringement and passing off (led by Charlotte May QC for Thomas Pink).

    Trade secrets, confidentiality, and cybersecurity

    • Acted for and advised claimants and defendants in claims relating to hacking, data breaches, online wrongdoing and related remedies.
    • Trappit SA v Amex Europe & GBT Travel Services UK Ltd [2024] EWHC 3285 (Ch): acted for defendant in claim alleging misuse of trade secrets, copyright infringement and breach of confidence in travel booking software, leading to claim being discontinued and subsequent costs dispute.
    • Advised state and non-state parties concerning liability and remedies for hacking and cybercrime.
    • Amazon Technologies Inc v Persons Unknown (2023): acted for Amazon in claim against offshore impersonation scammers targeting UK consumers.
    • Top Optimized Technologies SL v Vodafone Group Services Ltd [2021] EWHC 46 (Pat): acted for Vodafone in jurisdiction dispute arising from claim alleging breach of confidence and subsequent appeal.
    • Advised reinsurer concerning coverage and policy wording for acts of cyberterrorism.
    • Personal Management Solutions Ltd v Gee 7 Group Ltd (2020): acted for second to fourth defendants in claim alleging misuse of confidential information.
    • Acted for defendants in claim alleging breach of confidence and unlawful means conspiracy (settled before trial).
    • Acted for start-up company in dispute over customer list data and trade secrets (settled before trial).
    • Acting for defendant in claim alleging breach of confidence and copyright infringement.
    • Regularly advise claimants and defendants on claims made against former employees in relation to documents and trade secrets.

    IT & telecoms disputes

    • IBM UK Ltd v LzLabs GmbH [2025] EWHC 998 (TCC); [2025] EWHC 532; [2024] EWHC  433 (TCC); [2023] EWHC 2142; [2023] EWHC 2072; [2023] EWHC 1595; [2022] EWHC 2094; [2022] EWHC 884: acted for defendant in substantial claim alleging breach of contract and unlawful means conspiracy by reverse engineering, decompilation and transfers of IBM mainframe software runtimes; raises issues relating to enforceability of contractual terms and the scope of defences under the Software Directive.
    • IATA v Accelya SLU [2016] EWHC (QB): dispute concerning interpretation and breach of IT services agreement.
    • Trident Australasia Pty Ltd v Versabuild LLC [2015] All ER (D) 131; [2015] EWHC 1609 (Comm): a contractual claim in the Commercial Court related to the use of patented technology in the oil and gas industry (led by Peter Fraser QC), and subsequent application for non-party costs orders.
    • Acted for clients and software developers in claims alleging detects, delay and other disputes involving hardware and software projects, including arbitrations under ICC, LCIA and DIFC rules.

    Internet law

    • Edinburgh Woollen Mill Ltd & Ors v Phoenix Wales Ltd (2022): acted for claimants in a dispute concerning misappropriation of a corporate portfolio of domain names from a corporate group in administration.
    • Cartier International AG v British Sky Broadcasting Ltd [2018] UKSC 28; [2016] EWCA Civ 658: acted for consortium of British ISPs in leading test case on jurisdiction and conditions for website blocking injunctions, including appeal to the Supreme Court.
    • Football Association Premier League Ltd v British Telecommunications plc [2018] EWHC 1828 (Ch); [2017] EWHC 480 (Ch): acted for in FAPL in claim for new form of ‘live’ blocking injunction to block streaming servers infringing Premier League match footage.
    • Matchroom Boxing Ltd v British Telecommunications plc [2018] EWHC 2443 (Ch): acted for boxing promoters in claim for live blocking injunction.
    • UEFA v British Telecommunications plc [2018] EWHC 1900 (Ch); [2017] EWHC 3414 (Ch): acted for UEFA in claim for live blocking injunction over Champions League footage.

    Jurisdiction & remedies

    • Novo Nordisk AS v British Telecommunications plc (2025): acted for originator of pharmaceutical products in claim relating to websites selling counterfeit and unlicensed versions of semaglutide and other medicinal products.
    • Easygroup Ltd v Easyfly SA & ATR [2020] EWHC 40 (Ch); [2020] FSR 19: acted for Airbus in jurisdiction challenge to trade mark infringement claim relating to aircraft fuselage branding.
    • Moviebox Megastores International Ltd v YouTube LLC (2020): acted for YouTube and Google in resisting interim injunction.
    • Golden Eye International Ltd & Ors v Virgin Media Ltd [2019] EWHC 1827 (Ch): acted for ISP in relation to Norwich Pharmacal order sought against retail broadband subscribers.
    • Wheat v Google LLC [2018] EWHC 550 (Ch): acted for Google in challenge to jurisdiction in claim concerning copyright and image search results.
    • Cartier International AG v British Sky Broadcasting Ltd [2018] UKSC 28; [2016] EWCA Civ 658: acted for consortium of British ISPs in leading test case on jurisdiction and conditions for website blocking injunctions, including appeal to the Supreme Court.
    • Advised well-known intermediaries and platforms concerning Norwich Pharmacal disclosure and data protection issues.

    Media, sport & entertainment

    • Noel Redding v Sony Music Entertainment UK Ltd [2026] EWHC 983 (Ch): acted for Sony Music in claim brought by descendants/successors of band members of Jimi Hendrix Experience, alleging ownership and infringement of sound recordings and performers’ property rights in relation to performances with Jimi Hendrix.
    • TNT & Warner Bros Discovery v Sky UK Ltd (2025): acted for broadcasters seeking dynamic website blocking order to prevent video streaming piracy.
    • Sky UK Ltd v British Telecommunications plc [2023] EWHC 2252 (Ch): acted for Sky in seeking dynamic channel blocking order requiring ISPs to block pirate IPTV streams.
    • Nintendo Co Ltd v British Telecommunications plc [2021] EWHC 3511 (Ch): acted for Nintendo in claim for website blocking injunction in relation to sources of pirate Nintendo Switch videogames.
    • Queensberry Promotions Ltd v Sky UK Ltd  (2020, 2021,2023): acted for boxing promoter seeking website blocking order to protect live streams of pay-per-view boxing events.
    • Football Association Premier League Ltd v British Telecommunications plc [2018] EWHC 1828 (Ch); [2017] EWHC 480 (Ch): acting for in FAPL in claim for new form of ‘live’ blocking injunction to block streaming servers infringing Premier League match footage.
    • Matchroom Boxing Ltd v British Telecommunications plc [2018] EWHC 2443 (Ch); [2020] EWHC 2868 (Ch): acted for boxing promoters in claim for live blocking injunctions.
    • UEFA v British Telecommunications plc [2018] EWHC 1900 (Ch); [2017] EWHC 3414 (Ch) (and subsequent orders in 2019, 2021 and 2023): acting for UEFA in claim for live blocking injunction over Champions League footage.
  • Education & awards
    • University of Oxford, Doctor of Philosophy in Law (2012) (specialising in secondary liability of internet intermediaries for online wrongdoing) at Magdalen College, Oxford.
    • University of Melbourne, Bachelor of Computer Science (Dean’s honours) (2007) (majoring in artificial intelligence and web applications).
    • University of Melbourne, Bachelor of Laws (first-class honours, top first) (2007).
    • Awarded full Clarendon Scholarship, Overseas Research Scholarship and James Fairfax Oxford–Australia Trust Scholarship to University of Oxford.
    • Supreme Court Prize and E J B Nunn Scholarship (awarded to first-placed student in final honours list).
    • Exhibitions and prizes: Evidence and Procedure, Conflict of Laws, Property Law, Criminal Law (first-placed student in each subject).
    • Melbourne Abroad Scholarship; Commonwealth Learning Scholarship.
  • Irish qualifications

    As part of our preparation for the UPC, Jaani has been called to the Irish Bar, and subject to a short administrative step, is able to accept instructions on European matters with full EU rights of audience.  Please contact one of the clerks to discuss how we may assist on European work.

  • Other relevant information
    • Case Note Editor and Assistant Editor, Melbourne University Law Review.
  • Professional memberships
    • Chancery Bar Association
    • Intellectual Property Bar Association
    • Society for Computers and Law
    • Worshipful Company of Stationers and Newspaper Makers
  • Hobbies & interests
    • In his spare time, Jaani is a violinist with amateur orchestras in London, and enjoys attending Glyndebourne, the Royal Opera and Wigmore Hall.
    • He is a keen cyclist, fencer and hiker.
    • Other interests include photography, art, architecture, and backgammon.

Contact Jaani Riordan's clerks

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