Work Areas
Intellectual property: full-service firms
Bird & Bird fields ‘
high-quality lawyers.’ The firm recently won the invalidity
of a trade mark case for its client Société Fleury Michon by a
judgment of the Paris Court of Appeal. Duo Isabelle Leroux and Yves
Bizollon enjoy strong recognition. Leroux is notably listed as
arbitrator for the World Wide Intellectual Property Organisation
(WIPO).
Gide Loyrette Nouel
A.A.R.P.I. has one of the largest teams in the market with
more than 25 lawyers and an impressive client base with a high
number of international companies such as Johnson & Johnson,
Mattel, BMW, Levi-Strauss and adidas. The firm recently represented
Pernod Ricard in a case regarding one of its main trade marks. The
three main contacts are Arnaud Michel, Grégoire Triet and Emmanuel
Larere who are all ‘
very smart and well connected.’
The intellectual property team at
Allen & Overy LLP advises
on patents, trade marks and copyright. Led by Pierre Lenoir, this
practice offers in-depth knowledge of patents in the pharmaceutical
industry and trade marks in the retail industry. The group, which
also includes Laëtitia Bénard and Catherine Verneret, also
undertakes litigation-related IP instructions.
Baker & McKenzie’s
intellectual property practice combines ‘
specialist French legal knowledge with access to a global
network.’ Jean-François Bretonnière leads the department, which
also includes ‘
excellent’ partner Virginie Ulmann. The team has a strong
reputation in trade mark litigation, as well as patents and unfair
competition issues, and represents several prestigious clients in
the sport, beauty, pharmaceuticals, and media sectors. The firm
notably advises on IP matters for Unilever and Esprit.
The ‘
excellent’ Stefan Naumann leads a strong IP practice at
Denton Wilde Sapte, offering
excellent service in patent litigation as well as expertise in
French and US copyright and trade mark related-matters. The group
advises clients in the media and entertainment sector as well as in
pharmaceuticals and electronics. The practice has worked for such
clients as Tolkien Enterprises and Warner Brothers, who the team
advised on a trade mark infringement claim. The ‘
responsive, sensitive and knowledgeable’ Stefan Naumann is ‘
a pleasure to work
with’.
Deprez Dian
Guignot specialises in trade mark and copyright issues and
has an important media-based clientele including major music
companies, advertising agencies, television and radio channels and
publishers. The practice has a significant portfolio of trade marks
and remains very active in litigation matters. Pierre Deprez and
Jacques Beaumont are recommended.
Led by Alexandra Néri, the IP practice of
Herbert Smith LLP is active
in trade mark and patent issues, domain name litigation and
cyber-squatting, international data-protection, and on line
contracts.
Xavier Buffet Delmas d’Autane has made the move from
Freshfields Bruckhaus
Deringer to head up the intellectual property practice at
Hogan & Hartson MNP.
Xavier joins Winston Maxwell, as a dedicated partner in the
intellectual property practice. The group advises several
high-profile clients including Danone which it assisted with the IP
aspects of the disposal of its biscuit business to Kraft for
€5.3bn, as well as assisting marquee client Ford with IP-related
issues
Latham &
Watkins handles high-profile trade mark, copyright and patent
matters. The firm is particularly active in litigation. It won a
major success for Warner Bros before the Paris Commercial Court
which dismissed claims brought by 704 plaintiffs in connection with
digital rights management placed on the company’s French DVDs. Its
client portofolio includes blue-chip corporations such as Apple
Computer and L’Oréal. The team also notably represented
Alcatel-Lucent in a major transatlantic patent infringement action
brought by Microsoft before the US International Trade Commission
with discovery and depositions taking place in France. Three
partners lead the practice including Jean-Christophe Tristant and
Emmanuel Baud.
At
Linklaters LLP, young
partner Marianne Schaffner successfully took on the challenge of
maintaining the firm’s leading reputation, following the departure
of patent expert Denis Monégier du Sorbier to
Howrey LLP at the beginning
of 2007. This practice remains strong and patent orientated albeit
more international in line with Schaffner’s profile. She was
involved in a number of significant international cases, working
for major US and multinational pharmaceuticals and chemicals
companies and owners of global trade marks.
Lovells LLP’s intellectual
property team continues with its expansion, taking on some junior
lawyers this year, and promoting Olivier Banchereau to counsel. The
team has a strong list of international clients and is very active
in complex cross-border disputes. Marie-Aimée de Dampierre leads
the practice and, along with her team of two partners, represented
some high-profile clients in the media, internet, and
pharmaceuticals fields. The group notably represented Ford Group in
securing the use of new trade marks for spare parts.
At
Salans, Gérard Delile and
David Masson enjoy a good reputation. The group achieves
recognition as ‘
very professional, with global insight, in addition to being
specialised in IP.’ The firm’s client portfolio is made up of
well-known domestic and international corporations. In key
highlights, lawyers represented a major US movie producer in a
copyright infringement case involving the soundtrack of a famous TV
programme. It also won the annulment of a first instance judgment
before the European Court of Justice which initially refused the
registration of a trade mark for a multinational food company.
August &
Debouzy advises and litigates on trade mark protection in
France and internationally. The firm has a portfolio of prestigous
clients. Mashasti Razavi and Kami Haeri are strongly
recommended.
Bignon Lebray &
Associés advises on industrial property and literary and
artistic property rights. Anne-Marie Pecoraro is well known and
leads an ‘
efficient and friendly team.’
Clifford Chance’s ‘
competent’ team includes partners Jean-Frédéric Gaultier and
Christian Lachèze. The practice’s excellent reputation in the
sports industry remains unchallenged. The team advised the
International Rugby Board and Rugby World Cup for the Rugby World
Cup 2007. Lawyers also advised clients such as Amazon, EADS, Gap,
and Lego on general IP matters and trade mark portfolio
management-related issues.
Louis de Gaulle, Julien Horn, and Frank Valentin lead a strong
IP practice at
De Gaulle Fleurance &
Associés. The team has an impressive list of US clients in
the cinema industry, as well as several TV companies and sports
event operators. The team is described as ‘
smart’ and ‘
able to explain things well to clients.’ Recently the group
advised MySpace on user-generated content issues, as well as
providing counsel on copyright and trade mark issues for both
Dreamworks and 20th Century Fox.
Jones Day’s IP team
comprises of-counsel Catherine Muyl, and four- associates. The team
offers IP litigation and advice. The practice is particularly
active in trade marks.
Partners Eric Lauvaux and Hélèna Delabarre lead
NomoS’s IP department,
which focuses on advising on trade mark, copyright and patents in
the media industry.
WAN Avocats has a strong
emphasis on trade mark and IP litigation, with a potent client base
of media companies. Isabelle Wekstein enjoys a good reputation.
Intellectual property: boutiques
Armengaud Guerlain has
built a strong reputation in the fashion industry on trade mark and
patent issues, notably representing Dolce & Gabbana in a case
against Dior. Jacques Armengaud and Stéphane Guerlain are two
famous names on the market.
Casalonga
Avocats undertakes trade mark and patent-related
instructions. In 2007, the firm hired domain name specialist
Marie-Emmanuelle Haas who previously directed the trade mark
department at leading IT firm
Alain Bensoussan. Arnaud
and Caroline Casalonga are both experienced practitioners.
Cousin & Moatty’s
activity focuses on patents, primarily in the pharmaceutical,
chemistry, mechanical and optical sectors. Pierre Cousin is
strongly recommended.
Escande is primarily active
in trade marks but also has expertise in patents. The firm has a
clientele of big names in the car, luxury goods and food
industries. Michel-Paul Escande is the key contact.
Gaultier Lakits Szleper is
an expert in industrial property rights in the areas of trade marks
and domain names. The firm excels in patent litigation, notably in
the pharmaceutical sector.
Gilbey de Haas is
considered ‘
really good for trade mark issues’. The firm also deals with
the management of intellectual property rights and handles patent
litigation. Richard Gilbey, Charles de Haas and Rebecca Delorey are
highly recommended.
Gilles Vercken Avocats has
a strong reputation for its expertise in copyright and general IP
issues, notably in relation to new technologies. The firm works for
large media groups, artists and companies from the cultural sector.
Gilles Vercken is recommended. The firm also benefits from the
collaboration of professors Michel Vivant and Valérie-Laure
Benabou.
Greffe works for a diverse
clientele, with a number of prestigious clients in the fashion
sector.
Hollier-Larousse &
Associés is particularly active in trade marks and
litigation. The firm also has recommended expertise in patents and
copyright. Clients include a number of multinationals and banks.
Christian Hollier-Larousse, Annette Sion and Sandrine Bouvier-Ravon
are the key contacts.
Howrey LLP is a good
reference point for patent litigation. Recent high-profile work
includes advising Mistsubishi on a patent-infringement case
relating to mobile phones, Procter & Gamble on a
design-infringement case and L’Oréal on a trade mark and copyright
infringement case regarding the protection of fragrances under
copyright. The team is made up of recognised experts with Marina
Cousté, François Jonquères and Denis Monégier du Sorbier.
Nicolas Boespflug handles
trade marks, copyright and patents. The firm notably works for
Philips and has a solid client base in the media and entertainment
industry such as Vivendi Universal and NRJ. Nicolas Boespflug is
recommended.
Philippe Combeau is
particularly active in patent litigation and has a client portfolio
encompassing a number of major pharmaceutical groups.
Véron & Associés has a
strong established reputation in the field of patent litigation and
is regularly involved in crossborder disputes. Its expertise spans
the pharmaceuticals, electronics and telecoms sectors. Pierre Véron
is one of the leading experts in patent litigation.
Other recommended specialists include: Olivier de Baecque (
Borowsky & de
Baecque); Olivier de La Myre Mory et Alain Cléry (
Cléry de La Myre Mory);
Corinne Champagner Katz;
Damien Challamel - Avocat;
Emmanuel Gougé (
EGAvocats); Bruno Grégoire
Sainte Marie (
Féral-Schuhl/Sainte
Marie); Marc-Roger Hirsch (
Hirsch & Associés);
Serge Hoffman (
Hoffman); Jean-Philippe et
Olivier Hugot (
HUGOTAVOCATS);
Jean-Louis Lagarde;
Michel Huet; Fabienne
Fajgenbaum (
Nataf Fajgenbaum &
Associés); Emmanuel Pierrat (
Pierrat); and
Wilhelm &
Associés.
Intellectual property: patent and trade mark attorneys
This chapter introduces the best patent and trade mark attorneys
in France (CPI - conseils en propriété industrielle), which remain
a distinct profession. The CPI firms advise inventors on protecting
and exploiting their rights. There are about 650 experts who have
the title of CPI. They are divided between engineers who specialise
in patents and jurists who deal with trade mark issues.
Beau de Loménie is one of
the leading firms in France and Europe. The patent practice is made
up of 42 engineers and is divided into four departments: mechanics,
electronics, chemistry and biology, operating out of Paris, Lille,
Lyon and Marseille. The firm also deals with trade marks and has a
team of 14 jurists. With offices in London and Munich, this firm
also has a striking clientele of international companies.
Founded in 1849,
Germain & Maureau has
an important activity in both patents and trade marks, with an
important client base in the wine sector. The team includes 16
engineers and eight trade mark attorneys, providing expertise in
biotechnology, chemistry and pharmaceuticals patents, as well as
handling litigation. With its headquarters in Lyon, the firm also
has offices in Paris and Saint-Etienne as well as offices in the
European countries of Germany, Spain and Switzerland.
Lavoix has a strong focus
on biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, chemistry, electronics, physics
and IT patents. The team includes more than 30 patent and trade
mark attorneys and has capabilities in French and European law. The
French clientele is important and is made up of CAC 40 companies
and innovative start-ups. The firm has offices in Paris, Lyon,
Toulouse and Clermont-Ferrand.
Cabinet Plasseraud’s
practice encompasses patents, trade marks, copyright, competition
and internet-related matters. In patents, the firm’s expertise
covers chemistry, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, mechanics and IT.
The team boasts 65 trade mark and patent attorneys operating out of
Paris and Lyon.
Regimbeau has a team of 30
trade mark and patent attorneys and offices in Paris, Lyon, Rennes
and Grenoble, providing expertise in biotechnology, pharmaceutical,
telecoms, electronics and IT-related patents. On the trade mark
side, the team works principally in the banking, pharmaceuticals,
advertising, food and distribution sectors.
Santarelli is a relatively
new practice founded in 2003, with offices in Paris, Lyon and
Marseille. The firm has developed very well and now counts about 30
trade mark and patent attorneys with strong expertise in the
biotechnology, electronics and telecoms sectors.
BREDEMA’s expertise
encompasses patents, trade marks, design and copyright. The firm
handles traditional industrial property rights issues as well as
providing innovative services such as assisting clients with
industrial property strategy, advising on anti-counterfeiting
issues on the internet, and securitising patent and trade mark
portfolios.
Bureau D.A
Casalonga-Josse specialises in providing patents in the
mechanics, electricity, electronics, chemistry, pharmeuticals and
biotechnology sectors. The firm also deals with trade marks,
copyrights and designs, and handles litigation. The team has around
20 European patent and trade mark attorneys, with a strong European
profile. In addition to its office in Paris, the firm has a
dedicated European patent team based in Munich, and a team
specialised in EU trade mark law in Alicante.
Ernest Gutmann - Yves Plasseraud
SAS (EGYP)’s team works in French, Spanish, English and
German, and has a deep knowledge of European procedures. The patent
practice is particularly recognised in the biotechnology field. The
team notably advises on plant variety protection-related issues.
The firm has offices in Paris, Lyon and Alicante.
Cabinet Harlé et Phélip’s
patent practice concentrates on the mechanics, IT, electronics,
chemistry and pharmaceuticals sectors. The team includes ten patent
and trade mark attorneys. The firm is based in Paris and has a
branch in Nantes.
Hirsch Pochart has
expertise in trade marks, patents and litigation and an important
international client base. The firm also works closely with law
firm
Hirsch & Associés.
Loyer Peuscet Brema is a
network made up of three structures: Loyer, Peuscet and Brema. The
patent practice encompasses a large number of technical fields such
as mechanics, aerospace, electricity, IT, physics, chemistry,
pharmaceuticals, and biotechnology. The firm also deals with trade
mark, design, copyright and domain name issues. The team includes
around 15 trade mark and patent attorneys.
Novagraaf Technologies
SA is present in five European countries. In France, the firm
is divided into two structures. Novagraaf France, directed by
Olivier Boland, and dedicated to trade marks and designs. Novagraaf
Technologies is chaired by Jean-Louis Somnier and focuses on
patents. The firm has several offices in France.
Founded in 1972,
Orès has an important
activity in patents. Sectors of expertise encompass chemistry,
biology, physics and mechanics.