Julian is a Chartered and European Patent Attorney, partner at Abel + Imray in the UK, and immediate past president of FICPI.
As part of FICPI's celebration of World IP Day 2025, whose theme is “Celebrating the beat of IP in music”, we interviewed a number of FICPI members for whom music is dear to their professional and personal interests.
Julian’s patent expertise was instrumental in protecting the memorable “You rock, we roll” for Edwin Shirley Staging (ESS) – now known as ES Global and active globally as a lead contractor underpinning major music, cultural and sporting events.
“You rock, we roll” was a critical trade mark for ESS, appearing on their trucks across the world.
Julian recounts, “I also helped ESS to secure a patent for an innovative staging system that allowed stages to be erected more quickly and with fewer components than previously possible.
“It was a pleasure to be associated with such a prominent name in the world of concert production and temporary structures.”
Creativity in live music and recording
Whilst he does not frequently practice IP in the music field, Julian’s own love of and experience with music was instilled at an early age.
He says, “I have always enjoyed music, learning piano from an early age, followed by clarinet, and later discovering the electric guitar in my teens.”
Julian finds that music and the IP field complement each other by combining creativity with technical structure. He explains, “In patents, we take novel ideas and shape them into something tangible in collaboration with inventors — much like musicians work together to refine and express musical ideas. There’s a shared emphasis on nurturing innovation, whether it's engineering solutions or artistic expression.”
Julian’s serious engagement with music began when he was in his mid-teens. He explains, “I picked up my sister’s guitar and learned to play "House of the Rising Sun" — where many guitarists start! I have played in bands since school days and spent a period gigging regularly across Hertfordshire, Cambridgeshire, and Bedfordshire in the UK, playing the local pub circuit. Over the years I’ve also had the pleasure of jamming at many FICPI events, with fellow FICPI members.”
The technical side of music is also an interest: “I have also long enjoyed the recording process, starting with a 4-track cassette recorder, later using a digital recorder, and now working with Mac and PC-based systems. The blending of technical skill — using mixing desks, effects, EQ, compression, and mastering — with artistic creativity really appeals to both sides of my brain. I find a similar satisfaction in photography.”
The future of the music business
On the topic of innovation in music, Julian sees the rise of online distribution as one of the most transformative developments in music.
He explains, “The release of the first iPod in 2001 marked a major shift in how music was consumed, moving beyond the limitations of carrying multiple cassettes or CDs. Initially, most users "ripped" their own CDs to load music onto their devices but advances in digital compression (such as MP3 technology) and faster broadband speeds soon enabled quicker downloading and, eventually, streaming.”
This evolution paved the way for services like Spotify and Apple Music.
He says, “I see this combination of fast internet and digital compression as a true invention — a series of incremental technological breakthroughs that revolutionised the way we experience music.”
Gazing into the farther future, Julian says, “I believe we will see further innovation aimed at delivering even faster, higher-quality music experiences both on-the-go and around the home.
He adds, “As mobile networks advance, particularly with the spread of 5G and beyond, seamless high-resolution streaming will become the norm, allowing listeners to access studio-quality audio without buffering or compromise.”
Smart home technologies will also continue to evolve, integrating music more naturally and intuitively into our daily environments through voice control, AI-driven personalisation, and immersive multi-room audio experiences, he believes.
Julian forecasts, “As new compression formats, connectivity standards, and playback technologies emerge, IP will remain critical in protecting these innovations and ensuring that creators and innovators are rewarded for enhancing the way we enjoy music.”
Live performances offer a unique sound
He sees supporting young musicians through strong IP protection as essential to sustaining the creation of new, original music. Julian explains, “Equally important is maintaining opportunities for live performance, where artists and audiences can share in the unique, irreplaceable experience of music made and enjoyed together.”
You may be able to catch a performance from Julian at the FICPI World Congress in Naples this year, perhaps with Michael Caine.
Julian shares, “During the lockdown, my band “Fixer” reconnected virtually, and we have since resumed live performances, with recent gigs in Hertford and Bath and more planned for this year.”
Next steps
- If you are interested in getting involved with FICPI's committees and working parties, find out more at: https://ficpi.org/organisation/committees
- If you're not yet a FICPI member, apply using our current accelerated process, in time to join us at the FICPI World Congress in Naples, Italy in October 2025.
