Next Generation Partners

Rising Stars

IP and TMT in Kazakhstan

Bolotov & Partners LLP

Longstanding IP boutique Bolotov & Partners LLP possesses noteworthy experience in both advisory and contentious IP matters, having been instructed by leading multinational companies from the worlds of food and drink, automotive manufacturing, and luxury goods, to name a few. The team’s expertise spans a number of areas, including trademarks, patents, inventions, utility models, industrial designs and copyrights. Its recent workload centres on clients operating in the consumer goods, automotive and pharmaceutical sectors, among others. Managing partner Yuri Bolotov KC co-leads the group with enforcement head Zhanat Nurmagambetov and trademarks and copyrights head Saule Kulzhambekova. Dmitriy Bolotov left the firm in May 2022 in order to focus on vendor checks and searches for information on IP infringements and infringers.

Practice head(s):

Yuri Bolotov; Saule Kulzhambekova; Zhanat Nurmagambetov


Other key lawyers:

Yuliya Lokteva


Key clients

Toyota Motor Europe


Philip Morris International


The Coca-Cola Company


Louis Vuitton


Hermes


Work highlights


  • Represented Toyota Motor Europe NV/SA  in a case where a large batch of counterfeit goods was revealed and confiscated in Kazakhstan.
  • Represented a Kazakh pharmaceutical company and proved that the client’s patent meets all patentability requirements. The case passed the first instance and the appeal instance. The claim was denied to the opponent in full.
  • Represented Global Spirits in a case where a trademark was registered in the name of the distributor (the Kazakhstani company); the court rejected the appeal to cancel the trademark and agreed it was registered illegally.

Dentons

Reflective of the team’s excellent reputation in the IP arena, Dentons is the first port of call for multinational giants such as Red Bull, Hilton Hotels and Google, among others. Almaty-based practice chair Victoria Simonova possesses broad expertise in matters concerning trademarks, patents and inventions, as well as unfair competition. It also represents clients in IP disputes, including at pre-litigation (including administrative proceedings with state bodies) and litigation stages. Senior associate Aliya Seitova, who was recently appointed co-head of the firm’s IP practice in Kazakhstan, is another name to note.


Practice head(s):

Victoria Simonova


Other key lawyers:

Aliya Seitova


Key clients

Red Bull GmbH


Hilton Hotels


Google


Discovery


Fox Networks Group (UK) Limited


Work highlights


  • Representing Red Bull GmbH before customs and trademark office, trademark infringers and courts in Kazakhstan and CIS countries.
  • Advising a global social media network on regulatory issues of internet and mass media legislation.
  • Advising a European luxury retail brand on copyright and licensing issues, as well as issues of relations with authorship societies in Kazakhstan.

Kinstellar LLP

Kinstellar LLP is a strong choice among major international companies in the TMT space; the team’s cross-disciplinary expertise spans a number of areas which are integral to the execution of complex transactions, including corporate and M&A, project development, data protection, and IP. Adlet Yerkinbayev regularly handles major M&A deals for clients active in the Kazakhstani telecoms sector. Elsewhere, managing partner Joel Benjamin‘s cross-border expertise has seen him acting on matters in Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan, as well as Kazakhstan. Another name to note is managing associate Kuanysh Kanlybayev, whose advice to telecoms companies further encompasses competition and employment issues.

Other key lawyers:

Joel Benjamin; Adlet Yerkinbayev; Kuanysh Kanlybayev


SIGNUM Law Firm

Noted for its involvement in some of the largest telecoms-related mandates across Central Asia, SIGNUM Law Firm is a major player in both IP and TMT, evidenced by the team’s engagement by leading multinational clients - including a number of Fortune 500-listed technology companies. The team is well-placed to handle transactional, contentious and regulatory IP work, as well as local and international compliance matters concerning access to data by sanctioned companies. Liza Zhumakhmetova, Gaukhar Kudaibergenova and Abylkhair Nakipov jointly head the practice, which also includes senior associate Ulan Stybayev.

Practice head(s):

Liza Zhumakhmetova; Gaukhar Kudaibergenova; Abylkhair Nakipov


Other key lawyers:

Ulan Stybayev


Testimonials

‘The team works very well and provides customer service at all levels.’

‘We faced very non-standard tasks and enjoyed the integrated approach of Signum. We had to change the starting points several times, which was perceived by the team with a full understanding of the importance.’

‘Ulan Stybayev helped us in several legal issues. He is ready to assist at any time and always responds to questions quickly.’

Key clients

Wolt


Work highlights


  • Advising a leading German producer of preinsulated piping systems on the transactional IP issues relating to the due diligence of the validity of trademarks in 15 jurisdictions across the EU.
  • Advising a Kazakh technology-based meteodata company on international and local compliance issues relating to the contemplated sale of data to the recently sanctioned potential Russian buyers.
  • Advising a global technology giant on local telecommunications regulations governing access to the telecommunications networks in Kazakhstan, crucial for the expansion of the global telecommunications heavyweight into Central Asian market.

GRATA International

The IP practice at GRATA International is led by counsel Timur Berekmoinov, whose areas of expertise include trademarks, patents, copyrights, inventions, utility models and industrial designs. Yerzhan Yessimkhanov serves as the chief TMT contact, advising a slew of leading domestic and multinational tech companies – including Yandex, China Telecom, Huawei, Beeline and ZTE – in matters concerning taxation, IP protection, business regulation and relations with state authorities, as well as commercial disputes. Counsel Darya Zhanysbayeva is also recommended.

Practice head(s):

Timur Berekmoinov; Yerzhan Yessimkhanov


Other key lawyers:

Darya Zhanysbayeva


Key clients

Astana International Exchange Ltd.


BBC Group Sp. z o. o.


Brights Consulting Inc.


Internet Resheniya LLC


Eurasian Media Group


ZTE


China Telecom


Beeline


Moscow Credit Bank


Yandex


Belt & Road Capital Management


Accenture


Amdocs


SpaceX


AEQUITAS

AEQUITAS‘ work in the TMT space includes transactional M&A support, licensing matters and advice on the use of modern information technologies and equipment. The firm has been recently engaged by clients operating in the pharmaceutical, telecommunications and fintech sectors, such as Digital Health Technologies and Coinhub. Nurlan Sholanov – whose focus encompasses corporate law and project finance – heads up the practice. Senior associate Tair Kulteleev is also noted. All named lawyers are based in Almaty.

Practice head(s):

Nurlan Sholanov


Other key lawyers:

Tair Kulteleev


Testimonials

‘Fast and precise answers were the main factors in choosing this law firm.’

‘Tair Kulteleev was our main contact and was always available to answer our questions.’

Key clients

Berlin Chemie


Elements


Coinhub


Digital Health Technologies


Forge Global


Baker & McKenzie - CIS, Limited

Managing partner Azamat Kuatbekov and disputes specialist Andrei Yorsh jointly helm Baker & McKenzie - CIS, Limited's five-strong IP department, which includes two dedicated IP specialists. Areas of expertise include trademark, design and patent prosecutions, as well as related litigation and advice. Other drivers of work include transactional and contractual advice, as well as copyright-related matters related to software. Elsewhere, the firm’s work in the TMT space involves import/export regulations, encryption clearances and online gambling. In addition to Kuatbekov and Yorsh, senior associate Nurgul Abdreyeva is also recommended.

Practice head(s):

Azamat Kuatbekov; Andrei Yorsh


Other key lawyers:

Nurgul Abdreyeva


Key clients

British American Tobacco


L’Oréal


Kar-Tel


Work highlights


  • Assisted British American Tobacco with managing its trademark portfolio and protecting its IP in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. Also represented the client in the board of appeal and courts in connection with the cancellation of trademarks.

Legalmax Law Firm

IP boutique Legalmax Law Firm assists clients with trademark and patent applications - as well as IP enforcement and litigation - working with a host of blue-chip multinationals such as Toyota, Burger King and Puma. The team is led by Almaty-based Zhanna Abylkhanova and Tashkent-based managing partner Muhammadali Makhmudov, whose combined expertise spans the FMCG, oil and gas, retail, pharmaceutical and IT sectors.

Practice head(s):

Mukhammadali Makhmudov; Zhanna Abylkhanova


Key clients

Celgene Corporation


Brioni Spa


Toyota Motors Corporation


Axis Communications BV


Burger King Europe


Puma


Mustang Bekleidungswerke GmbH


Angel Yeast Co Ltd.


CHINOIN Gyógyszer és Vegyészeti Termékek Gyára Zrt


Chanel Sarl


Merck Sharp & Dohme


Google Inc.


Apple Inc.


Bayer AG


Sanofi-Aventis


Colgate-Palmolive Company


Starbucks


7Eleven Inc


Shell


The Maccalan Distillers


Highland Distillers


Volvo AB


Grundfos Holdings A. B


Xiaomi Inc.


KFC


Pernod Rickard


Subway


Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company


Mars, Incorporated


Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd.


Paulaner Brauerei GmbH & Co KG


Andritz AG


Busuu Online S.L.


Snap Inc


Novartis AG


Adamed Pharma S.A.


The Absolut Company AB


ENI S.p.A.


Lego Juris A/S


Quality is Our Recipe, LLC


Work highlights


  • Advised Brioni Spa on the enforcement of trademark rights, the illegal use of Brioni trademark as a sign store, and the sale of counterfeited goods.
  • Advised J.C. Bamford Excavators Limited in relation to the recordal of trademarks with the customs IP register, and enforcement against parallel imports.

Sayat Zholshy & Partners

Almaty-based Amir Begdesenov leads the team at Sayat Zholshy & Partners, which acts for large national and international telecommunications companies, broadcasting stations, and media holdings operating in Kazakhstan. Its workload consists of both transactional advice and assistance with regard to regulatory frameworks. Elsewhere, the firm draws on the support of antitrust and dispute resolution experts to assist with trademark and patent filings, IP infringement matters and disputes.

Practice head(s):

Amir Begdessenov


Key clients

Beeline Kazakhstan


theSAY Pharma


Kcell JSC


Tukulov Kassilgov Shaikenov Disputes (TKS)

While the firm was only established in June 2020, Tukulov Kassilgov Shaikenov Disputes (TKS) is already well-known for its capabilities in IP and IT litigation, as well as data protection matters. Headed up by the Almaty-based Nataliya Shapovalova, the team acts for clients operating in the pharmaceutical, IT and retail sectors, among others. Another name to note is Ravil Kassilgov, whose further expertise can be seen in matters concerning taxation, unfair competition and international arbitration.

Practice head(s):

Nataliya Shapovalova


Other key lawyers:

Ravil Kassilgov


Testimonials

‘Professional team that can advise on a number of different IP matters and suggest tailored solutions as opposed to standard ones.’

‘Nataliya Shapovalova has deep knowledge and extensive expertise on IP law matters, and provides advice in a clear and grounded way.’

‘Tukulov & Kassilgov Litigation LLP has excellent expertise in personal data protection legislation.’

‘Nataliya Shapovalova has profound knowledge and expertise in IP and can provide answers to the most difficult questions.’

‘Exceptional and bright professionals.’

‘Ravil Kassilgov is a market leader in IP.’

‘Excellent knowledge of law, strong analytical skills, extensive experience in IP law and litigation, solution-oriented and flexible.’

‘The IP and TMT practice of Tukulov & Kassilgov Litigation is exceptional.’

Key clients

OLX Group LLP


Samsung Electronics Central Eurasia LLP


Arena S LLP


Gulser Computers LLP


medac GmbH


Estee Lauder Kazakhstan LLP


Invest Capitol LLP


Work highlights


  • Represented medac GmbH in a dispute against state authorities on the illegal issuance of a registration certificate for a pharmaceutical product, as well as a dispute against a marketing authorisation holder concerning the suppression of actions that create a threat of infringement of a patent right.
  • Represented Arena S LLP and Gulser Computers LLP in a dispute on revocation of accreditation for the organisation that manages copyright and related rights.
  • Advised a financial services transnational company on the acquisition of a local e-commerce company, including an IP audit of the target company.

Vash Patent Kaz

Vash Patent Kaz is well-placed to handle trademark, patent and industrial design registrations, as well as matters involving license agreements and copyright law. The team is helmed by general director Elena Kostina, whose recent work concerns clients operating in the retail, automotive and pharmaceutical sectors, among others. Pavel Kostin - who draws on over 20 years of experience in the field - is also recommended.

Practice head(s):

Elena Kostina


Other key lawyers:

Pavel Kostin


Key clients

Prima Distribution


Totachi Industrial Co., Ltd.


Ves-Media Ltd.


IntellService


Tube Swimming Club


DGP Technology Ltd.


Intellicup


Nox Travel Kazakhstan


Petrovax Pharm


JSC DiaClone


Work highlights


  • We are assisting Ves-Media Ltd in the registration of trademarks for a new 24-hour jewelery TV-store in Kazakhstan.
  • Assisted Totachi with entering their trademarks into the customs register in order to protect their products from the import of counterfeit goods into Kazakhstan.
  • Assisted DGP Technology Ltd. with the cross-border registration of patents for inventions, including communications with the registration authorities.