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Ali & Associates has offices in Karachi, Lahore, Kabul and representative offices in the US that are dedicated to IP, media and IT. The firm represented Tradekey, a subsidiary of a Middle Eastern IT company, in landmark litigation over the liability of web portals for unlawful actions committed by users of the site. The firm also advised The Walt Disney Company on TV licensing and rights acquisitions in Pakistan. Khurram Gul Ghory is ‘very good at litigation’, and Ali Kabir Shah is ‘very prompt and precise’.

IP boutique Bharucha & Co., headed by Mohammad Fazil Bharucha, draws many of its clients from the pharmaceuticals, energy, education and engineering sectors. The firm acted for Garibsons Ltd to file a petition opposing a geographical indication registration filed by the Basmati Growers’ Association (BGA) for the term ‘Basmati’ pertaining to rice, the first case in Pakistan to involve a geographical indication. The opposition was partially successful and the BGA has appealed to the High Court. Abdul Aziz is recommended.

Irfan & Irfan is a commercial law firm with strength in IP. Its associated firm, United Trademark and Patent Services, specialises in IP registrations, trade marks and patents. Clients include Johnson & Johnson and Dell Global BV. Hasan Irfan Khan and Yawar Irfan Khan are the main contacts.

Khursheed Khan & Associates is a niche firm with a strong reputation for its IP practice, where it advises on laws relating to real property, hi-tech, telecoms, cyberspace and e-commerce. The firm mixes local and international clients, and has associations with offices in the UK, Japan and Afghanistan. Zulfiqar Khan is recommended.

Karachi-based Vellani & Vellani is a full-service IP firm covering contentious and non contentious matters pertaining to patents, designs, trade marks, copyright and licensing. The firm has numerous clients in the tobacco, vehicle manufacturing and pharmaceuticals industries. Senior partner Badaruddin F Vellani is recommended.

Abraham & Sarwana’s IP department is led by Ashraf Ali, who advises the Intellectual Property Organisation of Pakistan. The department’s commercial clients include Microsoft, which it advises on software piracy and copyright violations in Pakistan.

Jamil & Jamil Barristers-at-Law has a focus on telecoms and IT law. Zahid Jamil is the key contact.

Meer & Hasan Law Associates leverages its strength in litigation to act in IP disputes. It often represents international clients and foreign law firms. Zeeshan Ashraf Meer and senior partner Salim Hasan are the key contacts.

Historically, Surridge & Beecheno was best known for its trade mark expertise but has now grown to handle a wider variety of IP matters. The team recently represented Pakistan Telecommunications Company Ltd in property and service disputes, and advised Eye Network Television regarding copyright infringement issues. Other clients include Microsoft and HBO.

Azam & Rai’s IT and telecoms practice is representing Multinet Pakistan Ltd against the Pakistani Telecommunication Authority in a dispute over contributions to the government’s Universal Service Fund Regime, which promotes telecommunication. Rai Muhammad Saleh Azam is the key contact.

Haidermota & Co handles TMT issues for its corporate clients and advises telecoms companies on regulatory compliance. The team also advised certain banks on various IT matters including investments into the IT sector.

Liaquat Merchant Associates has recently been advising its banking clients on software agreements and outsourcing. The firm advised Deutsche Bank on service level agreements and assisted National Bank of Pakistan with an online connectivity project involving 1,400 branches. Faresa Ahsan heads the team.

Mandviwalla & Zafar represents large telecoms companies during transactions. Clients include Actis Assets and Ufone.

Qazi & Qazi Law Offices advises on e-commerce, media, telecommunication and IP. Abrar Ahmad Chaudhry heads the team.

RIAA Law has a growing trade marks practice, has been advising wireless internet service providers on various issues, and advising Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited on all aspects of its telecoms business.

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