The Legal 500

Bird & Bird LLP ‘knows how to make the trade-off between good legal solutions and good business solutions’. Highlights included successfully representing the European Central Bank in a complex patent revocation proceeding, and advising Google and YouTube in high-value copyright litigation. Joint IP heads Massimiliano Mostardini and Giovanni Galimberti are recommended.

Franzosi Dal Negro Pensato Setti is especially well known for litigation concerning patents, trade marks, design, copyright and advertising, not only in Italy and Europe, but also in the US and China. Mario Franzosi is ‘exceptional’.

Pharmaceutical and biotechnology litigation has become a key field of practice for Trevisan & Cuonzo Avvocati, as well as electronics and software patent litigation. Harley-Davidson is a long-established client in relation to protecting against infringements of its house trade mark, and 20th Century Fox has been assisted with copyright matters. Luca Trevisan and Gabriel Cuonzo are recommended.

Avv. Prof. Adriano Vanzetti e Associati has ‘a fantastic name’ within Italy’s IP legal community. The practice is recommended for trade marks and other distinctive signs, geographical indications, patents, designs and models, as well as copyright.

Studio Legale Floridia has a longstanding reputation for patent-related work, but also has a strong name in trade marks. Giorgio Floridia is an ‘outstanding practitioner’.

Praised for its ‘international attitude’, Hogan Lovells Studio Legale’s ‘brilliant and effective team’ further expanded with the recruitment of associate Riccardo Fruscalzo from Franzosi Dal Negro Pensato Setti. The practice provided strategic assistance to Google in various copyright matters. Sony is also a client. Team head Luigi Mansani ‘demonstrates strong business acumen’. Giovanni Ghirardi is ‘strategic and timely’.

Sena & Tarchini is especially well known for its defence of pharmaceutical patents. In trade marks and domain names, the practice is regularly instructed by food sector and fashion industry clients, while in copyright, the team has acted for major national newspapers. Giuseppe Sena and Paola Tarchini are prominent figures.

Led by Giovanni Guglielmetti, Bonelli Erede Pappalardo recently advised on trade mark proceedings, know-how misappropriation issues and alleged misleading advertising. The practice also acted in connection with the negotiation of trade mark license agreements.

DLA Piper is ‘pragmatic in its approach’. The team acted for Conbipel in a trade mark infringement case against Coin and assisted Vodafone in a software copyright case. Giangiacomo Olivi is ‘business-oriented’. Roberto Valenti is recommended.

Dragotti Studio Legale Associato recently advised Luxembourg company Accumalux in a patent infringement case. Strengthening its northern Italy presence, a Piacenza office was opened in 2010.

IP Law Galli recently obtained a key decision from the Court of Milan’s specialised IP division on the extended protection of a colour as a trade mark for Ferrari, and successfully advised Assoluce in relation to the infringement of a worldwide famous Italian design: the Flos Arco lamp, created by the Castiglioni brothers in the 1960s.

Jacobacci is praised for its ‘promptness and high level of service’. The practice is noted for volume filings of patents and trade marks, as well as licensing. Fabrizio Jacobacci is the principal contact.

Studio Professionale Associato a Baker & McKenzie recently acted on a fashion design right protection case and successfully assisted 3M in trade mark infringement proceedings. Lorenzo de Martinis is recommended.

Carnelutti Studio Legale Associato advised long-established client Honda in a case concerning the infringement of Honda’s design rights. Clients ‘benefit greatly from the application of Margherita Barié’s high standards to the practice’.

Studio Legale Casucci acts for Danieli, Prada, Sony, Timberland and Illy. The practice advised on a copyright protection case related to industrial design creations.

De Berti Jacchia Franchini Forlani’s ‘fast and reliable service makes it cost efficient’. The practice is especially noted for its IP work within the fashion, luxury goods, high-tech, pharmaceuticals, automotive and beverages sectors.

Studio Ghidini, Girino e Associati acts mainly for small-to-medium-sized businesses in patent and trade mark matters. Gustavo Ghidini is recommended.

Mondini Rusconi Studio Legale is best known for copyright matters in relation to its international entertainment and music sector client base. The practice has also acted on trade mark and patent matters.

Pavia e Ansaldo acts on the negotiation of IP-related agreements, cross-border litigation involving the IP assets of technology companies, and patent cases. The ‘competent and precise’ Gian Paolo Di Santo and Francesca Ferrari are ‘standout practitioners for patent litigation matters’.

Tornato Avvocati is ‘reliable and multilingual’. The practice represented Norwegian client, Autosock, in trade mark and patent infringement matters. Alberto Tornato ‘exercises good control over cases and coordinates the team effectively’.

Avv. Alfio Rapisardi e Associati, name partner Alfio Rapisardi has a reputation for excellence in the IP world.

Studio Legale Auteri draws praise for its copyright law expertise, particularly in relation to authors’ rights. Paolo Auteri is recommended.

Studio Legale Cartella Manzoni’s broadly experienced team is led by ‘strong IP law specialist’ Massimo Cartella.

Gianni, Origoni, Grippo & Partners recently assisted adidas in trade mark litigation and licence agreements. Nino Di Bella is the key contact.

LGV Avvocati is experienced in the management of patents and has acted in a range of trade mark disputes. Simona Lavagnini is recommended for the acquisition of rights and copyright disputes.

McDermott Will & Emery Studio Legale Associato stands out for its global reach and industry-focused experience. The team recently acted in several anti-piracy matters and trade mark infringmenet cases. Francesco Mattina is ‘outstanding’.

NCTM Studio Legale Associato ‘understands clients’s needs’. The team advised San Benedetto Acqua Minerale in connection with patent litigation.

From offices in Milan, Turin, Rome, Bologna and Aosta, R&P Legal – Rossotto, Colombatto & Partners is recommended for the IP side to advertising matters.

Rapisardi Intellectual Property specialises in protecting trade marks, patents, models, domain names, copyright, know-how and confidential information.

Led by Claudio Biscaretti di Ruffia and Luigi Fontanesi, Studio Santa Maria is experienced in patents, trade marks, domain names and copyright litigation, as well as in IP aspects of internet and e-commerce transactions.

Studio Ubertazzi is recommended for copyright law.