It is with the greatest sadness that Class 46 must inform its readers that MARQUES founder member and Treasurer David Goldring passed away last night at the all-too-young age of 61. 

David was involved in MARQUES even before the organisation came into existence, having served on the steering committee that discussed setting up a European trade mark owners’ association as long ago as 1984.

After reading Law at University College, London, David practised initially as a UK trade mark attorney and subsequently as a European one. His career encompassed both in-house and private practice sectors, 

Jeremy Phillips adds a personal note:

"In 1986 I flew to Vienna with David to attend the conference that decided that MARQUES would be formally constituted as a representative organisation for trade mark proprietors in Europe. We were both notably younger than the vast majority of attendees, and decided that we must be the 'MARQUES babies'.

I was much struck by David's cheerful optimism regarding the conference's outcome, blended with a strong note of cautious realism as to how the fledgling body would have to face the many obstacles it would need to overcome. I was also impressed by David's willingness to do whatever was asked of him in bringing MARQUES about, as well as his spiky and irreverent sense of humour.  This flight was to prove the beginning of a long and enjoyable friendship and professional relationship. 

David was immensely popular for many reasons, not least his tremendous accessibility and his cheerful demeanour.  He will be greatly missed by all who had the privilege of meeting him".

An interview with David was published in the HouseMARQUES newsletter last year. You can read it in full here.