Intellectual Property | Europe

Bird & Bird boasts a highly esteemed practice with a wide spread of individually renowned European offices. It boasts market-leading offices in Germany, Spain and Italy, with further highly regarded practices in the Netherlands, Belgium and France. Bird & Bird is active in both trade mark and patent litigation, as well as in pan-European portfolio management and design infringement. It also handles IP aspects of cross-border transactions, including joint ventures. The law firm is particularly active in the patents field for major technology, beverage and life sciences companies, with strong UK and German offices allowing collaboration on pan-European litigation and revocation proceedings.

Hogan Lovells is internationally renowned for providing counsel on trade mark matters, enforcement and brand management for clients spanning European jurisdictions and regularly appearing before the EUIPO in Alicante. The law firm has respected teams in Spain and the UK, as well as strong practices in Germany, France and Italy. It enjoys a strong reputation for its activity within the technology and life sciences sectors, handling matters such as cross-border patent litigation. Hogan Lovells also advises on significant cross-border SEP and FRAND mandates. The lawyers offer additional experience in copyright and trade secrets mandates, as well as in domain name disputes.

The lawyers at HOYNG ROKH MONEGIER are highly renowned IP specialists, acting out of market-leading practices in Belgium, the Netherlands, France and Germany. The law firm also has a strong presence in the Spanish market. It draws particular attention for its expertise in patent litigation, as well as enforcement procedures. HOYNG ROKH MONEGIER offers additional knowledge of copyright and trade marks mandates, as well as design litigation. It acts for a range of international clients in the life sciences, technology, and food and beverage sectors.

The firm has a well-regarded offering across Europe with particularly celebrated practices in the UK, France and Luxembourg. It has further strong branches in Belgium and Slovakia. It is adept at handling high-value patent litigation in the life sciences and media and telecommunications industries. The firm has additional experience in trade mark enforcement and portfolio management, as well as in copyright mandates and trade secrets. The team is also equipped to handle cross-border transactional IP mandates. On 1st May 2024, Allen & Overy and Shearman & Sterling merged to form A&O Shearman.

A global powerhouse, Baker McKenzie is held in high regard for its work on trade mark registration and enforcement. It boasts standout teams in Poland and the Czech Republic, with further notable offices in the UK, Spain, France and Turkey. The lawyers are adept at handling patent litigation for international clients in the consumer goods and technology industries. They frequently advise on copyright and anti-counterfeiting matters for clients in the media and luxury goods sectors. Baker McKenzie's further strengths include unfair competition matters and trade mark portfolio management. The lawyers also routinely acts on cross-border IP transactions.

Taylor Wessing is reputed for its expansive practice, which includes the IP elements of cross-border transactions. Well established in Germany and the UK, the firm has further notable presence in the Netherlands and Austria. It attracts particular attention for its patent litigation practice and regularly represents multinational clients in the technology and life sciences sectors. Taylor Wessing also handles contentious copyright and trade mark mandates, and is experienced in anti-counterfeiting and passing-off claims, frequently acting for consumer and luxury brand companies. The law firm provides further assistance with global trade mark portfolios and opposition proceedings.

CMS boasts an extensive network of offices across Europe, with acclaimed IP practices in Germany, Hungary and the UK. The law firm has further notable offerings in Spain and Portugal, as well as Austria and Poland. It handles multi-jurisdictional trade mark and patent infringement litigation, often involving coordination with branches across Europe. CMS is noted for its handling of anti-counterfeiting matters, as well as managing global portfolios. The firm acts for a range of clients from the technology, life sciences and consumer goods sectors.

DLA Piper has recognised practices in Italy and the UK, with a further notable presence in Belgium. The law firm regularly coordinates with European offices on commercial and contentious trade mark enforcement and registration, and portfolio management. DLA Piper offers additional experience in copyright litigation. It is also equipped to handle patent litigation proceedings for clients in the life sciences and consumer goods.

Freshfields' esteemed practice covers the Dutch, UK and German markets, and it has a notable foothold in Austria. It has particular strength in patent litigation and European trade mark licences. The law firm offers additional experience in trade secrets and unfair competition disputes. Freshfields also handles IP elements of M&A mandates. It boasts an impressive roster of clients from the automotive, life sciences and technology sectors.

Herbert Smith Freehills has notable practices in France, Italy and the UK. It has a strong practice handling life sciences and TMT patent litigation. The firm is further noted for its expertise in trade mark, copyright and database rights litigation. Herbert Smith is also active in patent enforcement and protection strategy.