The Legal 500

One of Hungary’s foremost IP boutiques, Danubia handles enforcement and prosecution of trade marks and patents, and frequently advises on patent assignment and licence agreement reviews, as well as search services. Michael Lantos and managing partner Pethő Árpád lead the patent practice, and Éva Szigeti is the key contact for trade mark matters.

SBGK Patent and Law Offices is a market leader in community trade marks and patent protection. Melinda Gál focuses on chemical and pharmaceutical patent cases, and Judit Jakab is a mechanical engineering specialist. Ádám Szentpéteri and managing partner Katalin Szamosi are also recommended.

CMS advises a range of TMT sector clients on the utilisation and protection of IP. It recently handled the transfer of IP relating to RTL’s acquisition of seven cable channels. Practice head Dóra Petrányi has acted in IP litigation before the Metropolitan Court, and recently advised an international agribusiness on its IP rights before the Hungarian customs authorities. The team also advises Samsung Electronics on its day-to-day IP issues.

Kajtár Takács Hegymegi-Barakonyi Baker & McKenzie’s three-strong team advises clients ranging from multinational technology companies to domestic SMEs on trade dress litigation, international brand management and copyright matters. Competition and trade specialist Zoltán Hegymegi-Barakonyi heads the team, which also includes senior associate Zsófia Lendvai.

Oppenheim assists financial institutions, conglomerates and media companies with commercial IP matters. It recently advised Intrum Justitia on data outsourcing and data protection, and acted for MARS in several trade mark prosecution cases. Ivan Bartal is the key contact.

András Szecskay heads Szecskay Attorneys at Law’s ‘strong team’, which has an active contentious practice focusing on trade mark protection, copyright and patent disputes. The group provides ‘a high-level service’ and ‘value for money’, and is ‘a reliable partner’ to clients. The ‘exceptionally talented’ Gusztáv Bacher assisted EDF with domestic trade mark issues and, together with Gábor Faludi, advised Mars Motion Pictures on a copyright transfer.

Tamás Gödölle leads Bogsch & Partners’ team, which acts on trade mark and other IP matters ranging from infringements to transactional due diligence.

Andrea Simándi’s departure in December 2011 was a blow to Eördögh Bird & Bird’s group. However, backed by a strong IP presence globally, the team handles cross-border patent litigation, in addition to trade mark filings and enforcement. Clients include Electrolux and SKF. Titusz Puskár left the firm in January 2013.

Forgó, Damjanovic & Partners Law Firm’s transaction-oriented IP practice is highly active in the technology and telecoms industries. Gábor Damjanovic heads the team, which advised Yahoo! Inc on a package of procurement contracts.

‘Strategic thinker’ Mónika Horváth has ‘put together a good team’ at Horváth & Partners DLA Piper, which ‘provides clients with advice they need’. Horváth, who is an expert in the film industry, recently advised Pioneer Pictures on copyright issues. Viacom is also a client. Helga Fehér is an expert in life sciences IP.

Lakatos, Köves and Partners advises large international companies on registration and IP litigation, including trade mark infringements. Managing partner Péter Lakatos represented Nokia in litigation concerning private copying levies, and Attila Ungár acted for Hugo Boss in a domain name dispute and trade mark opposition.

Réczicza White & Case LLP has ‘thorough expertise’ and provides ‘focused advice for reasonable fees’. Counsel and team head Balázs Fazekas has ‘remarkable experience in EU data privacy’, and provides ‘valuable assistance’ in preparing data processing notifications to the Hungarian authorities. István Réczicza advised the Hungarian Football Association on the sale of television and radio broadcasting rights.