Next Generation Partners

Rising Stars

Firms To Watch: Intellectual property

Bratschi Ltd has particular expertise in drafting software agreements, licensing agreements and working on trade mark strategies and protection for clients from a range of industries, including the real estate, pharmaceutical, and software development sectors.
Wenger Plattner’s unique specialism in the intellectual property aspects of the arts gives the firm a distinct and particular expertise; the team has further experience in the publishing, healthcare, and food-and-drink industries.

Firms in the Spotlight Intellectual property

VISCHER

VISCHER logo

VISCHER is a leading Swiss law firm with over 120 fee earners. The firm provides solution-oriented support in all aspects of commercial, tax, and regulatory law. Their experts are organized in more than 20 practice teams, each led by experienced partners.

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Intellectual property in Switzerland

Homburger

Homburger‘s full-spectrum intellectual property offering allows the firm to advise clients on a variety of cross-border matters across a multitude of sectors, including transport, financial services and life sciences. Gregor Bühler heads up the broad intellectual property team, while Andri Hess takes the lead on patent litigation. Bühler, Hess, and Luca Dal Molin are all recommended for their expertise across the full range of relevant matters, including copyright disputes, trade mark enforcement and transactional IP work. Georg Rauber is another key individual and is noted for his experience in IP disputes.

Practice head(s):

Gregor Bühler; Andri Hess


Other key lawyers:

Luca Dal Molin; Georg Rauber


Testimonials

Highly professional and supportive.

Homburger is our preferred firm for all of our CH IP disputes (Pharmaceutical Industry). Homburger provides continuous highest quality advice, the teams have strong technical background, very good knowledge of our industry and very strategic to achieve the best outcome for the client.

Andri Hess is an excellent attorney with great strategic thinking and strong business acumen. He is very approachable and fun to work with.

Homburger is representing us in a patent infringement lawsuit in Switzerland. The team’s strengths are a very good understanding of the case and a high experience with patent litigation in Switzerland.

Andri Hess is the lead attorney and I would recommend him for his deep knowledge and understanding of the law and proceedings, his great preparation of arguments and briefs to be filed, the good discussions with him and his well-founded recommendations of how to proceed. The patent case relates to a complex mechanical topic and Andri Hess always looks diligently into the details. We feel well-represented by Homburger in this patent case.

Andri Hess has excellent local and international legal and caselaw awareness. He really contributes not just in shaping but in enriching the substance of cases. He can deal with highly complex situations and handle many parameters by splitting them up into simple issues. He can develop convincing lines of arguments even in situations not previously addressed by caselaw or suggested by the client. Andri Hess is a great mind in a top attorney!

Homburger provides legal advice and legal representation in all areas of business law at the highest level.

Partner Andri Hess is highly versed in legal, economic and technical matters. He puts himself in the client’s shoes, but at the same time keeps an overview over the whole case.

Key clients

SpaceX


CSL


BlueVoyant


Sunrise


Novartis


Sanofi Aventis


Hyundai


ASML


Sandoz


Illumina


FNZ


Rivean Capital


Compad Consulting


Work highlights


  • Achieved a landmark judgment assisting Novartis with the enforcement of patents against generic Jadenu (deferasirox) products.
  • Advised CSL on IP and patent related matters related to its $11.7bn public takeover of Vifor Pharma.
  • Advised SpaceX on IP related matters concerning the market launch of Starlink products in Switzerland.

Lenz & Staehelin

Lenz & Staehelin provides a full service intellectual property offering and has been praised by clients as ‘without doubt one of the leading – if not the leading – IP teams’. The practice acts for major household-name companies in fields such as food, technology and broadcasting. Thierry Calame and Jürg Simon, both highly experienced IP experts, co-head the practice alongside Sevan Antreasyan, whose promotion to partner in January 2022 has bolstered the group's senior strength. Peter Ling is also recommended for his experience in patent and trade mark litigation.

Practice head(s):

Thierry Calame; Jürg Simon; Sevan Antreasyan


Other key lawyers:

Peter Ling


Testimonials

I really appreciate how the Lenz team tried to put themselves in our shoes and understand the overall strategic context for the case. They negotiated hard with the third party counsel on our behalf and we could sense that they were identifying with the case and the matter.

I worked in particular with Peter Ling and I appreciate his responsiveness and pro-active thinking. Even after the case was closed, he kept sending us information about cases which could be relevant for our company. This was very useful for us. He is very pro-active and thinks outside of the box.

Strong presence and knowledge of Swiss intellectual property law.

Jürg Simon and Peter Ling have a strong grasp of Swiss intellectual property law that they relay in a concise and thoughtful manner. Very responsive and great team to work with overall.

The IP team of Lenz & Staehelin is without doubt one of the leading – if not the leading – IP teams amongst firms.

Prof. Jürg Simon, with whom I have worked in many cases for over two decades, is, to my mind and in my experience, one of the leading IP practitioners in Switzerland. He stands out, in particular,  for his work in the trademark area.

Fantastically responsive, helpful, pragmatic and sensible advice, rooted in experience and knowledge.

Barbara Abegg and Thierry Calame are both excellent. Again, very clear and responsive.

Key clients

Abbott


AbbVie


Actavis / Mepha


Apple


Bosch


Champagne producers association (CIVC)


Consorzio Prosecco


Consorzio Aceto Balsamico


Daimler (now Mercedes Benz Group)


Diageo


Dyson


European Broadcasting Union (EBU)


Emmentaler Switzerland


C&E Fein


FIVE Hotels


International Olympic Committee


Mars


Merck & Co.


Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer


MGI Tech


Migros


MSC Cruises


Prada


Pfizer


Sanofi


Swatch Group


Swiss Government, Armasuisse


Swiss Sustainable Yachts


Swiss Salt Works


Tamedia


Teva Pharma


Verweij Fashion


Vinci Construction Terrassement


Weetabix


Wyss Center for Bio & Neuro Engineering


Work highlights


  • Represented Abbott before the Federal Supreme Court, resulting in a landmark decision on standing to sue in trade mark invalidity proceedings under the Madrid System of trade marks.
  • Represented CIVC in an appeal at the Constitutional Court of the Canton de Vaud, thereby enforcing the bilateral agreement between Switzerland and the EU on geographical indications and appellations of origin.
  • Advised the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) on drafting and negotiating agreements with the European Space Agency and 20 companies related to the development of solutions that leverage 5G systems in the context of media delivery technologies.

MLL Legal

Based in Zurich, the intellectual property practice at MLL Legal is co-led by: departmental founder Michael Ritscher, wo has notable experience in patent litigation and arbitration; Simon Holzer, who heads-up the patents and life sciences group; and Peter Schramm, head of the trade mark and design group. The team – praised by clients as having ‘outstanding partners and associates in all areas of IP‘ – is particularly known for its strength in patent, trade mark, design, and copyright litigation, transactional intellectual property matters, and the protection of geographical indicators. Senior associates Louisa Galbraith and Andrea Schäffler, who advise clients on all areas of intellectual property, are described by clients as ‘rising stars‘.

Practice head(s):

Michael Ritscher; Simon Holzer; Peter Schramm


Other key lawyers:

Guillaume Fournier; Andrea Schäffler; Kilian Schärli; Louisa Galbraith


Testimonials

This law firm has an excellent balance of extremely experienced partners, super bright more junior partners and excellent associates. They also have legal and IP expertise under one roof to draw on.

Guillaume Fournier – fantastic and responsive with a great handle on dealing with Swiss courts. Would highly recommend using him.

Excellent law firm, with outstanding partners and associates in all areas of IP. It is a pleasure working with them, my preferred choice in Switzerland.

Michael Ritscher and Peter Schramm are excellent partners who provide complete and quick assistance in all areas of IP.

Mr. Simon Holzer is a gifted lawyer for litigation in the field of intellectual property. In addition to his comprehensive and above-average professional knowledge, he has a great deal of experience in his field. He knows how to win cases in favor of his clients through creativity and unconventional ideas. His pleadings are an exceptionally good mixture of thoughtful technical presentation as well as subliminally aggressive style, which convince the court. Last but not least, he knows how to gather a young and dedicated team around him, which is hungry to win cases.

Highly knowledgeable and experienced IP lawyers.

Michael Ritscher and Simon Holzer are outstanding IP lawyers. Andrea Schäffler is up-and-coming.

Kilian Schärli and Simon Holzer are outstanding, since they are always looking for the best solution for the client. Louisa Galbraith is the upcoming rising star of the firm.

Key clients

Adecco


Aimmune Therapeutics


AstraZeneca


Axapharm


Bayer Intellectual Property, Bayer Pharma, Bayer (Schweiz)


Becton Dickinson


Boehringer Ingelheim


Birkenstock


Bill Foundation


Bioeq


Bitcoin Suisse


Bobst


Calida


Canton of Zurich School Textbook Publishing House (Lehrmittelverlag Zürich)


Cellprotect Holding


Chapter 4 “Supreme”


Chicago Mercantile Exchange


ChocoSuisse (Association of Swiss Chocolate Manufacturers)


Coop Gruppe Genossenschaft; Coop Genossenschaft


Dell


Deutsche Telekom


EIM Executive Interim Management


Emirates


EOS


Etihad Airways


Expedia


FIFA


Gilead Sciences


H. Lundbeck (Denmark); Lundbeck Schweiz (Switzerland)


Haribo


Hells Angels Motorcycle Corporation


Hilti


Implantec


Lindt & Sprüngli


Lipomed


Lizzo


Major League Baseball (MLB)


MaKe WeBo


MCM


Meltwater News International Holdings


Modum


Mundipharma Medical Company


NIO


Porsche


Provins


Sunshine


Swisscom (Schweiz)


Swiss Cosmetic Association (SKW)


Ty Inc.


Telegram Messenger


Uber Technologies


ViiV Healthcare


Work highlights


  • Represented Bayer in its Swiss patent litigation against the Swiss Zentiva affiliate Helvepharm concerning Bayer’s cancer drug Nexavar.
  • Represented FIFA against Puma before the Commercial Court of Zurich and the Swiss Federal Supreme Court in a landmark case for the protection of the names of sports events against unfair free-riding.
  • Represented Becton Dickinson, a leading manufacturer of auto-injection pens, in patent litigation proceedings against the Swiss manufacturer Ypsomed.

Schellenberg Wittmer Ltd

Led by dispute resolution partner Philipp Groz, Schellenberg Wittmer Ltd’s intellectual property practice is lauded by clients for its ‘deep knowledge’, ‘collaboration and proactivity’. The department is especially active in litigation, international arbitration, and major transactional work, with the team covering both Swiss and cross-border matters. Attrracting clients from a diverse range of industries, but the practice has specific industry knowledge in areas including luxury goods, media, leisure, the automotive sector, banking and finance, pharmaceuticals and biotechnology.


Practice head(s):

Philipp Groz


Other key lawyers:

Lorenza Ferrari Hoffer


Testimonials

They are the best Swiss IP firm. I interviewed all of the major firms. Their technical knowledge, legal acumen and responsiveness puts them far ahead of the others.

Philipp Groz is very skilled and technical. He provides solid and practical legal advice. He is very responsive and wonderful to work with.

Collaboration and proactivity are key for us and the studio in this is a top player.

The friendly and professional relationship especially. It is always nice to have competent professionals at your side and feel that at the same time a more friendly approach is being used. It makes working and collaborating together more enjoyable and personalized.’

Deep knowledge of the IP sector.

Lorenza Ferrari Hoffer is great. I have instructed her for many years. She is quick, knowledgeable. Clients love her.

Key clients

Addlife


BASF


Bayer


cm.shoes


Cristanini


Hetronic International


Holcim


Infijov


Itochu Corporation


Iveric Bio


Johnson & Johnson group of companies (incl. Janssen)


Locarno Film Festival


Philip Morris International


Porsche


Samsung


Santhera Pharmaceuticals


Six Group


Standard Chartered


Tetra Pack


UBS


Volkswagen


The Walt Disney Company


Zimmer Biomet


Work highlights


  • Advised Santhera Pharmaceuticals regarding an exclusive license agreement for the Greater China Region with Sperogenix Therapeutics, a China-based company specialising in orphan diseases; value: up to $124m.
  • Advised clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company Kinarus on all legal aspects of  a reverse takeover transaction completed by Perfect Holding, including in relation to the technology transfer (patents, clinical trial data, regulatory aspects).
  • Represented Cristanini,in proceedings for the alleged misappropriation of trade secrets by a a leader in the field of fire and disaster prevention, with regard to water-jet devices used in the defence and civil protection, successfully obtaining injunctions from Zurich’s tribunal of commerce and so provisionally stopped the promotion and sales of competing products.

Walder Wyss Ltd.

Markus Frick and Roger Staub head the ‘diligent’ and ‘strong’ intellectual property practice of Walder Wyss Ltd., with both utilising their extensive experience in litigation to represent clients in court and in arbitration. The team is well regarded for its full range of intellectual property expertise, but in particular for its litigation capabilities regarding copyright, patent, trade mark, and design disputes. Praised for praise its ‘business oriented approach', the practice acts for both international and Swiss clients from a variety of industries including automotive manufacture, pharmaceuticals, life sciences, food, luxury goods and media.

Practice head(s):

Markus Frick; Roger Staub


Other key lawyers:

Manuel Bigler; Stefano Codoni


Testimonials

Walder Wyss is a very professional team with high-end expertise in IP litigation.

Roger Staub is great to work with, with a fantastic touch for storytelling in litigation matters. Manuel Bigler is very knowledgeable and has an outstanding attention for detail.

Smart and diligent. Markus is a pleasure to work with.

Strong and well established firm, with strong IP practice.

We choose to work with Walder Wyss because of the trust in one of its partners, Stefano Codoni. Stefano is extremely dedicated, knowledgeable, honest, accountable and nice to work with.

The Walder Wyss team is our first choice when it comes to trademark matters in Switzerland, be it prosecution, portfolio management, oppositions, cancellations, infringements or strategy work. For us it is very important that our local cooperation partners are highly experienced and do not only know the local laws and the local practice and case law, but also that the chemistry between us, our local cooperation partner and our clients work out. The Walder Wyss lawyers are extremely collaborative, unflappable and a pleasure to work with.

Stefano Codoni is highly experienced in all IP matters, but also understands our clients’ need for targeted specific advice, for instance with a business orientated approach. It really helps a lot that Stefano Codoni is used to working in an international framework and for international clients.

Key clients

ABB


Actial Farmaceutica


Alcon


Amazon


Apple TV


AT&T


Bystronic


Deutsche Börse/Qontigo


Easygroup (incl. EasyJet)


FIBEP (Swiss Chapter)


Giorgio Armani


Hitachi/ABB Power Grids


Inventio (IP management company of Schindler Group)


Lastminute.com Group


Merck


Microsoft


Migros


Nestlé


Otto’s


Pret-A-Manger


Richemont (incl. Cartier, IWC, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Piaget, Chloé, Baume & Mercier, Montblanc, Van Cleef & Arpels, Panerai, A. Lange & Söhne)


Rocket Film Productions


Snap, Inc. (formerly: Snapchat)


Storck


The Association of the Swiss Gas Industry


Baker McKenzie Switzerland AG

Baker McKenzie Switzerland AG provides full coverage for all IP matters, the local team in Switzerland being led by Eva-Maria Strobel, who specialises in drafting and negotiating a broad range of IP agreements. The practice advises clients on both contentious and non-contentious issues with ar each reflecting the firm’s global presence; moreover, its recent adoption of LegalTech programs to provide document-editing automation technology and AI powered contract analysis has worked to accelerate processes for clients. Senior counsel Michael Treis, who has over thirty years at the firm, handles the full range of IP protection work.

Practice head(s):

Eva-Maria Strobel


Other key lawyers:

Michael Treis


Key clients

Abbott


Abbvie


Acer Incorporated


Adagene


Alere Inc/Alere Switzerland


Apple


Applied Materials


Asahi Group Holdings


Astellas Pharma


Banque Lombard Odier


Belron/Carglass


British American Tobacco


Burger King Europe


Bytedance


Boost Group


CureVac


CSL Behring


Danone


Emeis Cosmetics


Estating


Estee Lauder


General Electric


General Motors


Grupo Bimbo


GSK


Hasbro


Honeywell International


Hypatos


Johnson & Johnson


Lindt & Sprüngli


Luma Financial Technologies


LVMH


Modag


ModernaTX


Migros


Narathai Cuisine


Nerium International


Novaliq


Numab


OnlineDoctor AG


Pagani Pens


Perry Ellis International


Shell


Schulthess Klinik


Sulzer


Swarovski


TikTok Information Technologies


The Nielsen Company


Unilever


Winery Exchange


Zespri Group


Mövenpick Holding


Work highlights


  • Advised Datwyler on the acquisition of CTsystems.
  • Provided advisory and brand protection services to Boost Holding AG, Boost Collectibles and their affiliates, one of the largest European agencies focusing in particular on customer loyalty programs and shopper activation.

Bär & Karrer Ltd.

The practice at Bär & Karrer Ltd. covers a wide array of intellectual property matters, including patents, trade marks, copyright, and licensing-law issues, with a particular focus on issues realted to M&A transactions. The practice is led by Markus Wang, who clients describe as having a ‘very broad expertise', and is particularly active in the pharmaceutical, life sciences, healthcare and financial services sectors.

Practice head(s):

Markus Wang


Testimonials

Bär & Karrer is an excellent company; we have been working with them for more than 12 years and there is no turnover, i.e. we work very closely without any major complications and they are not only efficient but give confidence because they also advise us on how to behave. The invoices are transparent and are issued promptly. With every referral we get an additional thank you.

The professionalism is unique for us. Whenever we need them, they not only have time, but also deliver the desired documents in a very short time. The service and cooperation are simply top-notch. Our customers and partners, as well as HQ in UK, have the feeling that they are practically our employees. Well done!

Fast, hands on and with a very deep knowledge of different areas in legal matters.

Markus Wang is a brilliant lawyer with a very broad expertise and a deep understanding of the client’s business. Very careful and hands on.

Key clients

Ms Tina Turner & Mr Erwin Bach


Novartis


Sandoz Pharmaceuticals


Viseca Payment Services


Deutsche Börse


Universal Geneve


ELCA Group


FCA Switzerland / Astara


Vir Biotechnology


UEFA


SIG Technology


Fruss


Work highlights


  • Advised and represented Swiss watch maker Universal in trade mark nullity proceedings before the Swiss Federal Administrative Court and the Swiss Federal Supreme Court.
  • Advised Ms Tina Turner & Mr Erwin Bach on the Sale of Tina Turner’s Portfolio of Music Rights to BMG.
  • Represented a leading international generics company on patent matters in connection with its early entry onto the Swiss market.

BianchiSchwald LLC

Christoph Gasser, described as a ‘passionate expert in IP law', heads the practice at BianchiSchwald LLC. The team is active across a wide variety of IP matters, including transactional work, IP contract law, and the prosecution and enforcement of trade marks. Clients include notable names from the transport, pharmaceutical, nutrition, and fashion industries. Senior associate Thierry Burnens, described by clients as a ‘prodigy in the field of IP law', is another key contact.

Practice head(s):

Christoph Gasser


Other key lawyers:

Thierry Burnens


Testimonials

The BianchiSchwald team includes greatly informed and highest motivated lawyers who can answer legal questions with the utmost care. I got the impression that there is an excellent exchange among the several attorneys and the willingness to support each other for the best possible advice and the success of the client.

Dr. Christoph Gasser is always available for for any needs the client has. He is a passionate expert of IP law and is always in touch with the client’s interests. Does not struggle to always find the best solution. Thierry Burnens is clearly a prodigy in the field of IP law and is driven to reach best solutions for the client. His advice is crystal clear and and thought through in every aspect.

Members of the IP team respond in a timely manner. Their service is exceptional, they deal with uncomfortable situations in a professional way. I have observed that and they always try to resolve any concerns proactively.

Christoph Gasser always provides his clients with clear guidance and presents possible options in a balanced way. It is pleasure to work with him. He is also well-oriented in European IP and if I need some advice or recommendation for other jurisdictions, he is first person I ask.

BianchiSchwald LLC has an impressive swift responsiveness and produces very good quality work. The firm responds within minutes usually to our emails and telephone messages. It works with many good quality law-firm partners internationally and has 4 national offices in Zurich, Lausanne, Bern, Geneva. It can provide IP advice/expertise in various languages and has extensive modern technological infrastructure. It also has several partners of African origin, which I understand is unique amongst other Swiss business law firms.

Our firm works very closely with Dr. Christoph Gasser, IP Head & Partner at BianchiSchwald. Dr Gasser is very knowledgeable, very experienced, very well respected internationally and nationally and highly responsive (within minutes). He is able to swiftly examine issues we have worked on together with a 360-degree perspective (legal & practical) and is a great strategist in litigation matters. He is able to efficiently dissect complex IP matters and zoom in on the all the essential legal and practical elements and address them quickly and effectively. It is a genuine pleasure to work with such an exceptionally gifted lawyer.

I have experienced a dedication to client’s needs that stands out, along with a very deep legal knowledge of IP law, acute and to the point way of thinking and absolute effectiveness in resolving complex IP disputes – I have worked with partner Christoph Gasser who I consider one of the best IP practitioners in his country.’

BianchiSchwald has rich experience and expertise in all aspects of IP (trademark, design, copyright, patent). BianchiSchwald conducts litigation with excellency relating to intellectual property law. It is exceptional that one of the partners (Dr. Christoph Gasser) is himself an exceptional IP lawyer in all four fields of IP law. Usually, an outstanding copyright lawyer is not a patent lawyer. Dr. Christoph Gasser is convincing as counsellor as well as litigator (and federal judge) in both fields. He has also published exceptional books in copyright and patent law.

Key clients

Johnson Controls / Tyco


Hamilton Medical


Lidl


Sensormatic Electronics


Avia International


Maestrani Swiss Chocolates


Jungfraubahnen


KTM


Pierer E-Bikes


Degroof Petercam


Canada Goose


Micro Mobility Systems


Chilli Pro Scooter


Microlino


Thommen-Furler


Racing Unleashed


Association Hommage 2021


Medtronic / Covidien


General Mills


Stadler Rail


Standortförderung Zürioberland


Aweso


Unifil


Promat / Etex Building Performance


Crypto Valley


VAMED


Philipp Morris International


Swiss Deluxe Hotels


SVIT


Saline Park


Swiss Golf


Freshbox Switzerland


Work highlights


  • Represented an independent journalist in a landmark copyright infringement case against the leading Swiss newspaper “Blick”, published by the Ringier publishing house, before the Zurich Court of Commerce.
  • Represented Hamilton Medical, a manufacturer of medical respirators, in patent litigation before the Swiss Federal Patent Court and Swiss Federal Supreme Court.
  • Represented automotive-industry supply company OSR Enterprises in a trade mark dispute against German car manufacturer BMW.

IPrime

Boutique firm IPrime specialises in intellectual property, technology law and dispute resolution - primarily acting for life sciences clients. The practice takes a partner-led approach to matters, and is led by Rudolf A Rentsch, a part-time judge at the Swiss Federal Patent Court who has extensive experience in the IP space.

Practice head(s):

Rudolf A Rentsch; Moritz Kälin


Key clients

ALPA Capaul & Weber


IMT Medical


Alka Global


Arpage


Work highlights


  • Advised Arpage on IP services relating to the client’s patent strategy.
  • Advised Alka Global on strategic matters as well as on patent, design, and confidentiality matters.
  • Advised IMT Medical in a cross-border patent litigation and several patent lawsuits.

Niederer Kraft Frey AG

Niederer Kraft Frey AG‘s intellectual property team is led by Nicolas Birkhäuser, who has extensive experience with commercial contracts and both national and international intellectual property strategies. The practice provides assistance on matters including dispute settlement, litigation, brand protection strategies, trade marks and licensing agreements, among others, and clients describe the practice as possessing ‘great expertise'. The team’s experience spans numerous areas including life sciences, arts, financial services, politics and consumer goods.

Practice head(s):

Nicolas Birkhäuser


Other key lawyers:

Janine Reudt-Demont; Valerie Meyer


Testimonials

Helpful and able to explain complex things.’

Janine Reudt-Demont is an exceptional attorney when it comes to life sciences and healthcare regulatory issues.

Customers are taken seriously, their needs are addressed, the great expertise provides security and the broad know-how creates trust. The solution is always in the foreground.

Our contact person is Nicolas Birkhäuser. In the meantime, he knows our needs and requirements, is human, listens, understands, looks for the right solution and responds to the customer. He works quickly and professionally.

Our work with this team is very smooth, I cannot recall at any moment we feel distressed for: 1. not knowing what to do – they always hold your hand; 2. not sure where the case is heading towards – they are very experienced lawyers and they know the process, the outcome for similar cases, and analyze counter party’s possible reaction. In short, you feel very comfortable your case is in good hands.

Valerie Meyer and Nicolas Birkhauser led our case, and both are absolutely great. Our company deals with various type of legal issues in different regions, and Meyer and Birkhauser stand out in terms of: 1. The confidence they give us in everything we discuss about the case – this comes from their extended experiences. 2. Clear legal strategy since start of the case – it’s very comforting as a client knowing where we are heading.

NKF has been our firm in Switzerland for years. They have extensive knowledge of our clients’ business and are trusted collaborative partners in the region.

Nicolas Birkhäuser has been my initial contact for years, but the firm, as a whole, is very responsive. Nicolas responds in a timely manner and always has sound advice in a very challenging business climate.

Key clients

Procter & Gamble


SkySale Schweiz


Thomson Reuters


Capvis


FibroGen


Josef Binkert


The Body Shop


Selecta


Assa Abloy


Handelsverband.swiss


Flatfox


Navistar International


Work highlights


  • Ongoing advice to Procter & Gamble concerning IP and unfair competition matters in Switzerland.
  • Advising SkySale Schweiz with its brand “Apfelkiste.ch” with respect to an alleged infringement of the trade mark “Apple” and sales of various allegedly counterfeit products.
  • Advising a company providing intelligent business information with regard to its trade mark strategy, trade mark applications and the administration of its existing trade marks.

Pestalozzi

Pestalozzi‘s intellectual property team was strengthened during 2022 with the arrival of partners Lara Dorigo from Lenz & Staehelin, and Fabian Martens from CMS; Dorigo – who now heads the practice – bringe extensive IP dispute experience to the practice, while Martens has extensive IP and unfair competition expertise. Additionally, counsel Markus Winkler joined mid-year from Baker McKenzie and has strengthened the team’s cryptographic techniques and artificial intelligence capabilities. The practice is described as ‘outstanding’ and ‘customer oriented’ and assists clients with the IP aspects of cross-border M&A transactions, portfolio management, IP disputes, and strategies relating to trade marks and branding.

Practice head(s):

Lara Dorigo


Other key lawyers:

Fabian Martens; Markus Winkler


Testimonials

The IP practice of Pestalozzi, in particular its head Lara Dorigo, is highly skilled, very efficient and customer oriented. You always get outstanding results, and even to a good cost-benefit ratio. Unlike in many other Swiss law firms, diversity is actually lived.

Lara Dorigo, the head of the IP practice of Pestalozzi, is an outstanding lawyer with many years of experience in all aspects of IP law. She always reacts within a short time, with well founded answers. Her skills and efficiency are remarkable. Customer orientation is key for her. She is definitely one of the best IP lawyers in Switzerland and it is a pleasure to work with her.

Broad know-how in IP; very responsive and motivated colleagues.

I have worked with Pestaozzi for years and I was always impressed by their professionalism. Lately I have worked with Lara Dorigo, head of the Intellectual Property group. I do not have experience with other group members presently working at Pestalozzi, however, if the group is as skillful as its head it is at least one of the most recommendable in Switzerland.’

I worked with Lara Dorigo in several patent infringement cases. She grasps facts very quickly, has excellent analytical thinking and has outstanding technical understanding that allows her to work her way into new technical areas at high speed. Lara works very expeditiously, meets promised deadlines and does not lose her cool even in hectic times. Her explanations to clients and colleagues show a high level of professionalism and are of excellent quality.

Lara Dorigo is highly recommended. She is commercial and user friendly. Always provides clear and thorough guidance which is well reasoned and allows my clients to understand the issues clearly. Lara always responds quickly and is great to deal with.

Lara Dorigo delivers balanced, commercial advice. Lara is very approachable, calm and collaborative – working hand-in-hand with our patent attorney, pan-EU and global counsel teams.

Key clients

Advance Magazine


Coca-Cola


Johnson & Johnson


Lanxess Deutschland


Leclanché


McDonald’s


MGI Tech Co


Newron Pharmaceuticals


STS Systemtechnik Schaenis


Weetabix


Witec


ZimmerBiomet


Zoll


Work highlights


  • Represents Sky International in trade mark matters and acts as representative for Sky’s Swiss trade mark portfolio.
  • Advising Newron Pharmaceuticals on proceedings at the Federal Administrative Court involving novel legal questions.
  • Acting as co-counsel with Lenz & Staehelin  in complex patent infringement and invalidity proceedings in the field of sequencing technology.

VISCHER

VISCHER's team is led by partner Stefan Kohler, who is also a non-permanent judge of the Swiss Federal Patent Court. The team acts for clients in intellectual property litigation before the Swiss cantonal courts, the Swiss Supreme Court, and the Federal Patent Court; it also offers trade mark services along with assistance in copyright matters, complex commercial transactions, licensing agreements, and due diligence services.

Practice head(s):

Stefan Kohler


Other key lawyers:

Jonas Gassmann; Rolf Auf der Maur; Elias Mühlemann


Testimonials

Jonas Gassmann is very dedicated and helpful.

Strong knowledge about the particularities of the Swiss market and good ability to explain it to international colleagues. Very approachable, direct and easy communication. Concrete recommendations instead of long-winded legal advice. Never the impression that they just try to drive their fees.

Very strong partner with Rolf Auf der Maur, who engages very actively himself in the mandates, is very approachable and service-oriented. Very good support from associate Elias Mühlemann. Both are very much oriented to practical commercial aspects of their advice, based on a solid business understanding.’

We have products in a niche market. Instruments are very complicated from a technological point of view. The team I am working with is highly skilled and understands the technical functionality and describes business potentials. The team is very motivated and we have worked for more than 10 years with this team.

Very knowledgeable in the field of IP, across countries, geographies, topics.

Stefan Kohler is highly knowledgeable, very dedicated, great communicator, clear, great advice.

Key clients

Netflix


CH Media TV


Swisscom


MyTV


Delica


CombiGene


Swissfillon


Kantonsspital St. Gallen


RS Dynamics


BMG Avocats

Described as being ‘packed with experience', the intellectual property team at BMG Avocats is co-led by Sylvie Gurry Veit and Anne-Virginie La Spada. The practice offers services both nationally and internationally in relation to protecting and enforcing trade mark and design rights, along with copyright and trade secret issues, and and also handles disputes work - both judicial and arbitral.

 

Practice head(s):

Sylvie Gurry-Veit; Anne-Virginie La Spada


Testimonials

Their knowledge of the Swiss trademark market is excellent. Apart from this, they also had a good understanding of international trademark laws and technology. In our case, there was a dispute regarding software and framework trademarks.

Anne-Virginie La Spada was exceptional in both her professionalism and kindness. We felt we were on the same team, even though it’s the first time we work together.

Highly specialised and experienced.

Anne-Virginie La Spada: Sound and concise advice both in prosecution and litigation matters.

Well regarding IP practice packed with experience.

Sylvie Gurry-Veit and Anne-Virginie La Spada are our principal contacts. Both are leading IP lawyers, both on the protection and enforcement side. They are practical, commercial, deeply knowledgeable and provide a top rate client service. I referred one of our big corporate clients to them and they have done a great job.

Work highlights


  • Assisted a major food & beverage company with two parallel arbitration proceedings regarding alleged breaches of trade mark licensing agreements; the total value in dispute exceeds CHF200m.
  • Assisted a major player in the watch industry with a design and unfair competition dispute (with cross-border implications) involving a competitor.
  • Represented an international client in trade mark infringement litigation involving issues of internet use of a communication app and fraudulent trade mark filing.

CMS von Erlach Partners Ltd.

The intellectual property practice at CMS von Erlach Partners Ltd. is co-led by Simone Brauchbar Birkhäuser, who has significant experience in trade mark matters, and Dirk Spacek, who has a notable focus on copyright and patent law issues. The team has partiular strength in the software industry, advising on advertising matters, and patent litigation in relation to the pharmaceutical sector.

Practice head(s):

Simone Brauchbar Birkhäuser; Dirk Spacek


Key clients

Aon Schweiz


Infopro Digital


mobile Health


GT Thommen Watch


Talenthouse


Barilla Deutschland


Wintrado International


Better Cotton Initiative


Designwerk Technologies


Global Legal Entity Identifier Foundation (GLEIF)


Work highlights


  • Advised Aon Schweiz on a major software-licensing & copyright dispute and the contractual negotiation of a long-term settlement/licensing agreement with a major software provider.
  • Advised Infopro Digital on the IP aspects of the acquisition of Bindexis’ online-technology business.
  • Advised mobile Health in connection with Consilium Care™, an electronic Patient Reported Outcomes (ePRO) SaaS system that includes the CE-marked MDD Class I medical device, Pro Care; primarily in relation to IP protection (including trade mark protection and a related trade mark conflict) and data protection matters.

HOUSE attorneys

HOUSE Attorneys has a particular expertise in the luxury segment of several industries, including retail, fashion, automotive and media. The practice’s intellectual property work spans both contentious and non-contentious matters, such as trade mark applications, copyright infringement, license agreements, development contracts, and product placement agreements. Frédéric Serra heads the practice and possesses extensive experience as a litigation lawyer in relation to intellectual property matters, while Melina Haralabopoulos (who was raised to the partnerhsip in October 2022) and associate Cindy Zaher represent Swiss and international clients in court and arbitration proceedings.

Practice head(s):

Frédéric Serra


Other key lawyers:

Melina Haralabopoulos; Cindy Zaher


Testimonials

One of the best addresses for IP in Switzerland. Responsive, experienced, skilled.

Frédéric Serra, Melina Haralabopoulos – probably amongst the best choices for complex design litigation in Switzerland.

The team has a business and pragmatic approach while paying care attention to a meticulous handling of the cases. They are super reactive and pleasant to work with. Transparency is also much appreciated.

Key clients

Christian Louboutin


Bentley Motors


Ferring International Centre


id est avocats sàrl

id est avocats sàrl has a particular specialism in the intersection of IP, tech and digitalmatters. The practice is co-led by Juliette Ancelle and Michel Jaccard and advises a variety of industries, including the biotech and medtech sectors, on matters such as copyright infringement, IP asset sales, cross-patent agreements and sponsorship agreements, among others. Clients praise the team’s ‘great expertise' in IT and data.

Practice head(s):

Juliette Ancelle; Michel Jaccard


Testimonials

The firm is very close to the client’s needs. It benefits from a great expertise, especially in the very specialized and rapidly evolving fields of IT and data. It has the ability to both take the necessary distance to understand the exact needs of the client and at the same time to take into account the small technical and legal details to deliver a precise and reliable result. The collaboration is very easy and direct without loss of time, friendly and relaxed but at the same time very professional.

Juliette Ancelle has the ability, which has been very helpful to us, to deal with complex legal issues pragmatically in order to deliver solutions that simply work efficiently in practice. That’s all the client requires!

Kellerhals Carrard

Kellerhals Carrard's intellectual property practice is co-led by Daniel Alder, Daniel Emch, Nicolas Mosimann and Stefano Perucchi, and provides advice to clients on the development of intellectual property strategies, licensing agreements, and contract negotiations, among other matters. With notable experience in the education, fashion, IT, automotive and sports' sectors, the team is also active in litigation and the defence of infringement claims.

Practice head(s):

Daniel Alder; Daniel Emch; Nicolas Mosimann; Stefano Perucchi


Key clients

Magnolia International


LALIVE

LALIVE advises on the full spectrum of IP law, with a particular focus on contentious matters. Led by Thomas Widmer, who is the key contact for all IP issues, the practice advises a varied client base drawn from sectors including gaming, energy, NGOs, pharma and IT.

Practice head(s):

Thomas Widmer


Work highlights


  • Acted as counsel to a global supplier of integrated gambling and gaming systems in a €25m ICC arbitration against an operator in the gaming industry concerning the alleged breach of a limited license for the use of IT products.
  • Represented a multinational computer, technology and IT consulting corporation in civil proceedings against a Swiss bank which is inter alia claiming access to the source code of various software interfaces developed by the client in the frame of a global IT service agreement.
  • Advised a non-profit organisation funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation on drafting and negotiating several contractual agreements in relation to intellectual property issues and the mitigation of the consequences of various event cancellations due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Nater Dallafior Rechtsanwälte AG

Nater Dallafior Rechtsanwälte AG‘s intellectual property team is led by Mathis Berger, who has extensive experience in litigious and arbitral matters. The wider pratice advices on matters including licensing agreements, patents, copyrights, trade marks and competition issues, and acts for clients drawn from a variety of industries including media, sports, clothing, entertainment and food.

Practice head(s):

Mathis Berger


Sigma Legal

A boutique firm focusing on tech and innovation law, Sigma Legal provides ‘high quality legal advice’ covering a ‘wide spectrum’ of IP matters. The practice has particular niche expertise in areas including medical institutions, public entities, media companies, and the luxury and fashion industries. Stéphanie Chuffart-Finsterwald, described by clients as being at the ‘forefront of new domains in IP’, co-heads the practice alongside Alain Alberini.

Other key lawyers:

Adrien Alberini


Testimonials

I am particularly satisfied with the result of the consultation with Sigma Legal. Thanks to the wise advice of Sigma Legal, we were able to draw up an assignment contract which attributes all copyrights to the Association that I chair. The effectiveness of Sigma Legal is remarkable.

Very professional and covering a wide spectrum of IP issues.

Stéphanie Chuffart-Finsterwald is at the forefront of new domains in IP and has vast experience across many IP sectors.

Key clients

State of Geneva


World Health Organization


GliaPharm


ObsEva


Fondation Asile des aveugles (Hôpital Ophtalmique Jules-Gonin)


Hublot


Lian Group


Superhuit


Saint-Augustin


Geneva Centre for Security Sector Governance (DCAF)


Viva Frida


Le Temps


HEMU – Conservatoire de Lausanne


Association Alice Rivaz


5G Media Action Group


Work highlights


  • Assisted Hublot in the context of the Takashi Murakami NFT launch.
  • Assisted private equity house, Lian Group, and its various subsidiaries, in relation to intellectual property issues, including international trade mark registrations, primarily linked to new technologies (mining, staking, NFTs, metaverse).
  • Assisting Hôpital Ophtalmique Jules Gonin with all legal matters, notably IP, including the management of IP rights in the context of R&D contracts, IT development agreements and researcher labour contracts.

TIMES Attorneys

Boutique firm TIMES Attorneys has a particular specialism in patent applications and litigation, along with trade mark disputes, and arbitration for clients in sectors such as pharmaceuticals, luxury goods, insurance, medicine, transportation and technology. Notable names include Andrea Mondini, who specialises in litigation and arbitration; Markus Kaiser, whose trade mark work is described as ‘pragmatic’ and ‘brilliant’; and the ‘intuitive and strategic' Michael Noth.

Other key lawyers:

Markus Kaiser; Andrea Mondini; Michael Noth


Testimonials

As stated in previous assessments, Mr. Kaiser’s support is always pragmatic and cost effective since he always gets straight to the point. With his great experience and knowledge he sets the right priorities and is able to explain complex legal matters in an easily understandable way.

Andrea Mondini is a very skilled IP practitioner. He has good, practical instincts. He also served an a very effective expert on Swiss IP law in an important case for us.

Andrea Mondini is a very skilled lawyer who also made a great expert witness. That is a rare and valuable combination.

Work highlights


  • Advised the Artificial Inventor Project on the first patent application ever in Switzerland for an invention generated autonomously by artificial intelligence under circumstances in which no natural person, as traditionally defined, qualifies as an inventor.
  • Representing coffee giant Jacobs Douwe Egberts in several patent litigation cases against Migros regarding Nespresso-compatible coffee capsules.
  • Representing Zentiva and its Swiss subsidiary Helvepharm in patent litigation proceedings against Bayer regarding a generic Sorafenib tosylate formulation.

WEINMANN ZIMMERLI

Intellectual property boutique Weinmann Zimmerli, lauded by clients as ‘outstanding‘ and ‘exceptional’, is co-led by Madeleine Schim Van Der Loeff and Conrad Weinmann. Additional key names include Alban Shabani, who focuses on cross-border litigation and trade mark, patent and unfair competition litigation; Stefan Keehnen, who specialises in trade mark prosecution; Marco Handle, a trade mark, unfair competition and copyright issues practitioner, and Fabian Wigger, whose practice is centred on patent, trade mark and copyright conflicts.

Practice head(s):

Madeleine Schim van der Loeff; Conrad Weinmann


Other key lawyers:

Adrian Zimmerli; Stefan Keehnen; Martin Cole; Alban Shabani


Testimonials

The whole team is brilliant, responsive, knowledgeable, dependable and elegant. I have worked with them for decades.

I’ve worked in this business for 33 years and rank these individuals as a real stand out for excellence, responsiveness, knowledge and dependability: Adrian Zimmerli, Madeleine Schim van der Loeff, Stefan Keehnen, Martin Cole.

The trademark team at Weinmann Zimerli is very easy to work with. The whole team provides reliable, timely, and accurate information. Their work product is exceptional.

Wenger Vieli Ltd

Wenger Vieli Ltd‘s intellectual property team has a focus on trade mark matters such as licensing, portfolio management and trade mark applications, as well as experience in IP litigation. The practice is led by Claudia Keller who is praised by clients as an ‘expert in her field of IP and IT‘; she has a specialised focus on trade mark law and matters related to new media and technology. Described as ‘very knowledgeable‘, fellow partner Michael Tschudin is noted.

Practice head(s):

Claudia Keller 


Other key lawyers:

Michael Tschudin


Testimonials

Mike Tschudin and Claudia Keller supported us in registering a new trademark and also in a legal defense of a claim based on an alleged infringement of a trademark use (which we could turn down).

Mike Tschudin and Claudia Keller are very knowledgeable, have a lot of expertise in their fields, take full ownership of the tasks at hand and deliver very professional advise. What we highly value in working with Mike and Claudia, is that they are very responsive and that we can fully rely on the advice we receive.

We have been working with Wenger Vieli for many years for IP-matters in Switzerland. They have been providing reliable services throughout the years and they provide services of an IP firm that are not easy to find in Switzerland.

Claudia Keller is our main contact at the firm. She is an expert in her field of IP and IT. She provides excellent and on the spot advice and tells you exactly what you can expect and more importantly what not to.

Extremely dedicated, professional and friendly team that delivers target-oriented solutions.

Claudia Keller is an excellent lawyer and the perfect partner in all IT and data protection matters. She is very committed to her clients and her analyses do not only focus on the legal aspects, but also consider the economic factors.

Key clients

Beekeeper


Creata


Digitalswitzerland


Magazine zum Globus


Fox Williams


Objkt


Crypto Valley Association


Radicant


Hyper38


UltraSwiss


Nadine Fink


Pro Life


Refinum


Creoptix


Privatbank Bellerive


Shareholders of Testing Time


Shareholders of Bring Labs!


Work highlights


  • Represented Hyper38 in connection with a claim concerning a trade mark that is essential for its establishment.
  • Advised a software service provider with an innovative product presentation tool for the fashion industry with respect to intellectual property licensing for its standard product as well as specific customer developments for two renowned international fashion brands.
  • Provide trade mark management services for a client who recently acquired a large trade mark portfolio in relation to a fashion business and we advise the client on expanding and optimising the portfolio to re-establish the brands locally and internationally.