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.
IP and TMT in Kazakhstan
Bolotov & Partners LLP
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/SAÂ 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
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.