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IP and IT
Allen & Overy Luxembourg has an eminent reputation for contentious IP, most notably patent litigation, as well as outsourcing and data protection. IP specialist Katia Manhaeve was elevated to partner in May 2010, and is particularly active in the R&D and life sciences sectors, as well as unfair competition. Recent highlights include representing an international fashion group on the transfer and restructuring of its IP portfolio. Counsel Cyril Pierre-Beausse provides considerable experience in IT (including outsourcing), data protection and related regulatory matters (particularly in the financial sector).
Arendt & Medernach has a tremendous standing in IP litigation and also has solid experience in IT projects. Amongst a long list of standout IP matters, the firm recently represented a major pharmaceutical group on its worldwide trade mark registration and opposition cases. The firm also advised a Luxembourg public authority on a significant IT outsourcing project. The multi-skilled Héloïse Bock heads the department.
Long associated with the intellectual property sector, Decker, Braun and Poos is consistently acknowledged as a market leader. Founding partner Nicholas Decker is an immensely respected figure within the industry and former president of the Benelux Trademark Office in The Hague. The firm is best known for copyright and trade mark cases.
LG@vocats is strong across the IT, telecoms, media and IP sectors, and represents many of the leading worldwide brands in these areas. This very much remains the core of the firm’s business with founding partner Stéphan Le Goueff having a formidable reputation in this industry. Recent work includes outsourcing IT functions to India, as well as a series of licensing agreements. In the telecoms sector, the firm is active in relation to privacy policies and satellite matters. The firm also represents a number of major broadcasters.
Noble & Scheidecker is recognised for having a genuinely distinct IP and IT practice, led by Gary Cywie, who provides ‘pragmatic’ and ‘to the point’ advice, which allows him to take a position on ‘high risk clauses’. Clients applaud the firm’s ‘business acumen’, ‘strength in depth’ and ‘value for money’. The firm is increasingly active in data protection, particularly for US clients, while outsourcing instructions from banks and insurance companies is also a core business.
Bonn Schmitt Steichen broad capabilities extend to the IP, IT and media sectors with Guy Arendt and counsel Alain Grosjean regularly engaged in these segments. Much of its recent work has centred on data and information security, technology transfer and unfair commercial practices.
While Elvinger, Hoss & Prussen may not have a dedicated IP and IT practice, much of its work is handled by its corporate and commercial, banking and finance and dispute resolution departments. The firm is recognised for its expertise in IP disputes and IP/IT transactions.
Kleyr | Grasso | Associes handles a considerable amount of work in the IT and media sectors. It represents a number of digital media online retailers as well as major broadcasters. From time to time, the firm also acts for clients on IP issues.
Following the departure of counsel Edouard Delosch, Linklaters LLP’s practice is now headed by managing associate Olivier Reisch, a data protection expert like his predecessor. While much of the firm’s work centres on data protection and regulatory work for financial services clients, it does represent a number of technology and media-oriented organisations.
Molitor Avocats à la Cour is ‘making good progress’ thanks to the efforts of Laurent Fisch and senior associate Claire Léonelli (‘very focused on this sector’). Clients ‘highly value the services’ of the team on advertising and promotion issues, as well as unfair competition. Trade mark protection and registration is another key part of the practice.
IT represents a significant part of DCL Avocats’s practice. Since the firm’s establishment in 2009, it has worked on a series of software license agreements and advised on the creation of an e-dealing website for a major financial institution. Dorothée Ciolino and Céline Lelièvre are recommended.
DSM Di Stefano Moyse Avocats à la Cour’s excellent reputation for litigation extends to the IP environment. The firm has appeared in many of Luxembourg’s major cases.
Thewes & Reuter’s Marc Thewes is a recognised authority in IP litigation. The firm has appeared on a regular basis in both the domestic and European courts.