The Legal 500

ABBC – Azevedo Neves, Benjamim Mendes, Bessa Monteiro, Carvalho & Associados – Sociedade de Advogados RL is said to possess a ‘first-rate’ IP practice that is ‘miles above the rest’. Led by the renowned César Bessa Monteiro, ‘the best IP lawyer in Portugal’, the team is a top choice for prestigious clients including Visa, Calvin Klein, Dell, and Bristol-Myers Squibb, and provides ongoing advice to Sony BMG on IP and entertainment-related matters, while also advising Coca-Cola on marketing and advertising affairs. Its life sciences capabilities are highlighted through its work for Sanofi-Aventis, having advised in two major patent infringement cases.

Hailed as having ‘one of the strongest IP teams’ GARRIGUES PORTUGAL, S.L. – Sucursal continues to thrive, with Gonçalo da Cunha Ferreira at the helm of this 5 fee-earner IP department. With offices found worldwide, the team has subsequently built a client base with a strong international flavour, while also representing a selection of high-profile domestic brands. The team is busy advising on matters spanning portfolio management and dispute resolution, acting for clients from the retail, real estate, tourism, technology and pharmaceuticals sectors.

PLMJ – A. M. Pereira, Sáragga Leal, Oliveira Martins, Júdice e Associados Sociedade de Advogados, RL specialises in patent, trade mark and IP-related disputes. 2008 saw the team involved in a number of internet cases wherein individuals producing illegal software for retail purposes were consequently fined or imprisoned. Manuel Lopes Rocha leads the team, and clients feel confident that they can ‘rely on them to look after our interest as a client, especially when compared to other firms who put billing first and the client second’.

‘Better, faster and cheaper’ than other firms, Rui Pena, Arnaut & Associados, Sociedade de Advogados, RL’s IP practice was boosted by three new arrivals, while José Luis Arnaut continues to lead the team in high-profile work. Arnaut is noted for the ways in which he ‘understands all situations quickly and runs the department from a client’s point of view. His aim is always to serve the client in the best technical and cheapest way’. Clients of the firm include Louis Vuitton Mallettier, Genéris Farmacêutica, L’Oreal Group and Farma APS. The practice is present in the highly competitive pharmaceuticals sector, while also drawing clients from the technology, telecommunications, energy, real estate and cosmetics industries.

Vieira de Almeida & Associados is reputed for its patent litigation work, particularly in the pharmaceuticals sector, where the topic of generics is currently a hotly contested issue. Both Novartis and GlaxoSmithKline have instructed the firm for patent matters. Co-heading the department is Ana Falcão Afonso and António Magalhães Cardoso, who is described as ‘impressive’.

Led by department head Leonor Chastre, Abreu Advogados assisted Adidas with several counterfeiting cases in Portugal. The team also handles all data protection and privacy proceedings for Chep, a major company involved in the renting of pallets and containers. Other clients include Siemens, Mercuri and Esteve Farma.

Barrocas Sarmento Neves is ‘always attentive and responsive to needs’, and ‘makes every effort to meet deadlines’. The team advises on patents, trade marks and database protection, acting for clients in the IT, health, pharmaceuticals, retail, media and entertainment sectors. Claudia Cruz is noted for her expertise in contentious IP matters.

The ‘very reliable’, CCA – Carlos Cruz & Associados excels in IP-related matters. Key areas of work include portfolio management, advertising (including litigation) and media planning. The firm does a great deal of cross-border work, and is currently involved in a Chinese acquisition for one of its new media clients. The team is appreciated for its ‘efficiency and expertise, particularly at the senior level’.

Carlos de Almeida Sampaio leads the IP department at Cuatrecasas, Gonçalves Pereira, providing regular advice to clients including Walt Disney, Getty Images and Associated British Foods. The team recently assisted with all IP issues related to the corporate reorganisation of Universal Music Portugal.

F. Castelo Branco & Associados’ Nuno Cadima Oliveira is gaining in reputation, and leads the team in advising clients such as Nike, Logica and Hewlett Packard. The practice is praised as ‘quick and willing to recommend other lawyers’ advice internally, depending on who is the most suited for the issues at hand’.

Clients feel ‘greatly confident’ in the technical ability of Morais Leitão, Galvão Teles, Soares Da Silva & Associados, and point towards department leaders, António Pinto Leite and Tomáas Vaz Pinto as a solid duo for IP matters. With high-profile clients such as Pfizer, and a steady stream of complex casework involving litigation and trade mark matters, the team is held in extremely high regard.

Franco Caiado Guerreiro & Associados is praised for its ‘technical capability and availability’, and the team is noted for its expertise in patent and trade mark litigation, with particular presence in the pharmaceutical sector. Key clients include Actavis and Abbott.

Headed by Carlos Pinto Correia, the IP department at Linklaters LLP works closely with its EU team, particularly when handling matters such as license software agreements and parallel imports. The team’s renowned litigation capabilities add further depth to the IP practice, while its regulatory knowledge is likewise strong. It recently advised Pfizer in a patent infringement case.

Clients express appreciation for the team of ‘young, bright lawyers’ at Mouteira Guerreiro, Rosa Amaral & Associados – Sociedade de Advogados R.L. who specialise mainly in data protection issues, domain name protection and enforcement, as well as trade mark licensing.

Raposo Bernardo’ IP department is led by Nuno Almeida Caetano, who leads the team in representing key clients Tivoli Hotels, PGA- Portugália Airlines and Malesci Pharmaceutical. The practice advised Pestana Group on various IP-related issues and trade mark registration matters.