Obhan & Associates > New Delhi, India > Firm Profile
Obhan & Associates Offices
N-94, Second Floor
Panchshila Park
NEW DELHI
110017
India
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Obhan & Associates > The Legal 500 Rankings
Intellectual property Tier 2
Managing partner Essenese Obhan heads boutique firm Obhan & Associates‘ IP practice, drawing on his mechanical engineering expertise to advise on prosecutions and litigation in the chemical, pharmaceutical, software, telecoms and agricultural sectors. Aparna Kareer heads the patent and filing department and has extensive experience handling patent applications in India and overseas. Charul Yadav is also a patents expert and is known for his work in the life sciences field, an area in which Sneha Agarwal also excels. For trademark litigation and prosecution, Taarika Pillai is the main contact to note. All named individuals are based in New Delhi.Practice head(s):
Essenese Obhan
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘In-depth knowledge on intellectual property matters and responsiveness to a client’s needs.’
‘Essenese Obhan is an expert in his field, and we greatly value his counsel and thought through advice.’
Key clients
TATA Chemicals
AGFA Group of Companies
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries
Aditya Birla Science & Technology Co. Pvt. Ltd.
Steer Group of Companies
Pine Labs
G4S Plc. and G4S Security Solutions (India) Pvt. Ltd.
The Doon School
Vending Updates India Private Limited
Bolt Technology OÜ
CoinDCX
Akasa Air
Work highlights
- Representing Pine Labs in a patent infringement suit before the Bangalore High Court, obtaining a vacation of an ad-interim injunction that was passed against Pine Labs by the District Court.
- Reprsenting G4S before the High Court of Delhi in various disputes with third-party infringers.
India > TMT Tier 3
Spearheaded by both Essenese Obhan and Ashima Obhan from New Delhi, Obhan & Associates advises on all aspects of IP, data protection, and tech litigation, with a growing presence in the cryptocurrency sphere. The former specialises heavily in all aspects of soft IP and patent litigation, whilst the latter is an expert on privacy and compliance laws. The firm shows particular strength in representing international publishing companies and payment technology platforms.Practice head(s):
Essenese Obhan; Ashima Obhan
Key clients
Pine Labs Pte. Ltd. and Pine Labs Private Limited
Neblio Technologies Private Limited and Primestack Pte. Ltd. (operating a digital asset trading platform under the brand name CoinDCX)
HarperCollins Publishers India Private Limited
Penguin Random House India Private Limited
Synergistic Financial Networks Private Limited (operating under the brand name Mosambee)
Oktober6 Limited and Oktober6 Insight Private Limited (operating under the brand name, CreditEnable)
Circle of Life Healthcare Private Limited
Nestech Limited
Behno India Private Limited
The Financial Times
India > Corporate and M&A Tier 5
Obhan & Associates specialises in advising domestic and international clients on all facets of joint ventures, corporate structures, and M&A. With a client-list spanning across the manufacturing, media, and technology industries, the New Delhi-based senior partner Ashima Obhan heads the group, boasting extensive experience in foreign investment and cross-border transactions. From Pune, Vrinda Patodia routinely represents domestic and multinational corporates.Practice head(s):
Ashima Obhan
Other key lawyers:
Vrinda Patodia
Key clients
C.K.R. Resorts Private Limited
Okinawa Autotech Private Limited
Mountain Valley Springs India Private Limited (operating under the brand name, Forest Essentials)
The Financial Times Limited
Circle of Life Healthcare Private Limited
Synergistic Financial Networks Private Limited (operating under the brand name, Mosambee)
Neblio Technologies Private Limited and Primestack Pte. Ltd (operating under the brand name, CoinDCX)
Oktober6 Limited and Oktober6 Insight Private Limited (operating under the brand name, CreditEnable)
Nestech Limited
Work highlights
- Represented and advised Okinawa in its joint venture with an Italian company, Tacita SRL, for the research & development, manufacturing and sales of motorcycles in India and various other territories.
- Represented MVSIPL in the review of the definitive agreements with the Apparel Group regarding the entry and presence of MVSIPL in the GCC countries.
- Advised and represented CKR in negotiating and reviewing a branding and management agreement and hotel specific services agreement to engage Hilton Hotels Management India Private Limited as the hotel operator for the client’s hotel under the flagship “Hilton” brand.
Obhan & Associates > Firm Profile
Managing Partner: Essenese Obhan
Number of partners:7
Number of lawyers: 49
Languages: English
Offices: New Delhi, Pune, Mumbai and Bengaluru
Firm Overview:
Obhan & Associates (O&A) is a reputed, skilled and professionally managed law firm with years of experience in IP and corporate law. With a team of highly qualified and experienced legal professionals, O&A offers a one-stop solution in IP and corporate law. The firm stands out for its approach towards understanding the requirements of a client and providing unique solutions with quick turn-around time. O&A has a pan-India presence with offices situated at New Delhi, Pune Mumbai and Bengaluru. The firm has a well-balanced domestic and international clientele and represents a cross-section of industries. O&A’s varied client base includes leading business houses, individual inventors, start-up’s, universities and national and international corporations.
The firm prides itself on the diversity in its workplace and is committed to building a happy and supportive work environment. The firm has been ranked as the Best Law firm for Women in India by Vahura.
O&A has regularly been recognised as a leading practice in India by a number of international legal publications, including Chambers Asia Pacific, Managing Intellectual Property, IAM Patent 1000, WTR 1000, IFLR 1000,Asialaw Profiles and Legal 500. The firm has been recognised by Benchmark Litigation Asia-Pacific for its contribution to one of the most impactful and notable matters. The firm’s corporate practice has have been ranked in the category of ‘Recognised Firm for India’ by IFLR 1000 31st Edition. The AsiaLaw 2023 rankings also recognise the media & and entertainment, intellectual property and corporate M&A practices of the firm. O&A’s managing partner, Essenese Obhan, has been recognised as leading lawyer for IP by various publication including Chambers Asia, IAM Strategy 300, IAM Global Leaders, Asia LawLeading Lawyers and India Business Law Journal. The India Business Law Journal in its definitive list of the country’s top 100 private practice lawyers for 2018 has ranked Ashima Obhan, the head of the firm’s corporate law and M&A practice, as one of the top 100 lawyers in India. Chambers and Partners recognised Ashima Obhan and ‘Highly Commended’ her in the category of Private Practice (Individual) Generational Inclusion Lawyer of the Year 2020. Asian Legal Business recognised Ashima Obhan as one of India’s top TMT / Fintech Lawyers.
Main Areas of Practice:
IP Practice:
O&A comprises of professionals from diverse backgrounds, all of whom combine excellence in their areas of specialisation with a strong understanding of the Indian IP system. O&A’s IP team has skilled professionals experienced in prosecution and contentious proceedings before the various registries under the Intellectual Property Office and courts all across the country. The IP team is qualified and has experience in the following technologies: mechanical, industrial, chemical, nanotechnology, biotech, electrical, electronics, software, telecoms and packaging. The IP team represents clients before the patent office, trademark office, the registrar of copyrights, the controller of designs and the various courts in India.
Members of the firm periodically dedicate time and resources on pro bono matters. The firm is a lead sponsor for a patent drafting course (SEAD) and encourages knowledge building and training exercises. O&A has been investing and conducting industry specific workshops and sessions for individual inventors and start-ups, apprising them of the various nuances of gaining IP rights, etc. The firm has also been working with students from IIT, Delhi and drafting and filing their trademark and patent applications as well as drafting and negotiating the commercial agreements that they propose to enter with third parties.
Corporate Law & M&A Practice:
O&A’s highly experienced corporate team provides a broad range of transactional and advisory services and prides itself on building personal relationships with its clients and providing a responsive, tailored service that will meet the specific needs of each of its clients.
The firm’s mergers and acquisitions team has experience and expertise in acting on complex, high-value, cross-border work as well as a range of smaller transactions. The firm advises on the full range of deal structures from public takeovers/offers through to divestments, private transactions and demergers. O&A advises on structuring of investments, formation of Indian entities, joint ventures, asset purchases, acquisitions and divestments, due diligence and related regulatory approvals.
The firm has been actively advising its clients in the publishing industry on various aspects of Indian law such as author contracts, contracts granting options to buy film rights to certain books, licensing arrangements and more. The team has been undertaking legal reviews of nonfiction manuscripts prior to their publication, and advising clients on the issues that may arise from the same such as defamation, sedition, hate speech, infringement of personality rights etc.
The Firm also advises international news organisations on the various regulations that apply to news entities in India, including on foreign direct investment matters, ideal organisational structures and conducting pre-publication reviews of news pieces. The Firm has been advising a leading broadcaster on how to restructure its Indian newsgathering operations, organisational compliances and reviewing its newsgathering workflows. The Firm has also advised such organisations on mitigation strategies and procedures to be undertaken in the event of governmental search and seizure operations.
Main Contacts
| Department | Name | Telephone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Intellectual Property | Essenese Obhan | email@obhans.com | +91 11 40200200 |
| Corporate Law | Ashima Obhan | ashima@obhans.com | +91 11 40200200 |
| Litigation | Ashima Obhan | ashima@obhans.com | +91 11 40200200 |
| Licensing Matters | Ashima Obhan | ashima@obhans.com | +91 11 40200200 |
Lawyer Profiles
| Photo | Name | Position | Profile |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Ms Akanksha Dua | Principal Associate; Corporate Law | View Profile |
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Ms Sneha Gandhi | Partner; Patent, Design, Plant Variety Protection and Biological Diversity | View Profile |
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Ms Aparna Kareer | Partner; Patent, Design, Plant Variety Protection and Biological Diversity | View Profile |
|
Mr Essenese Obhan | Managing Partner; Patent, Trademark, Copyright, Design, Plant Variety Protection and Litigation | View Profile |
|
Ms Ashima Obhan | Senior Partner, Corporate Law, M&A and TMT (Technology, Media and Telecom) | View Profile |
|
Ms Vrinda Patodia | Partner | View Profile |
|
Ms Taarika Pillai | Partner; Trademarks & Copyrights | View Profile |
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Ms Charul Yadav | Partner; Patent and Plant Variety Protection and Biological Diversity | View Profile |
Languages
EnglishMemberships
International Federation of Intellectual Property Attorneys (FICPI) Asian Patent Attorneys Association (APAA) International Trademarks Association (INTA) German Association for the Protection of Intellectual Property (GRUR) International Association for the Protection of Intellectual Property(AIPPI) The American Intellectual Property Law Association (AIPLA) European Communities Trade Mark Association (ECTA) MARQUESNotable Cases
- Matra Mobili Private Limited – Madanapalle Retail Private Limited v. Matra Mobili Private Limited.; The firm is defending Matra Mobili Private Limited, which was sued by Madanpalle Retail Private Limited for allegedly using the trademark ‘Sunday’ in Class 20 in Class 24. The firm successfully vacated an ex-parte injunction that had been granted against our client by the District Court of Bangalore by filing an appeal against the injunction order at the Karnataka High Court.
- Promoshirt SM S.A. – Armasuisse v. M/S Promoshirt SM S.A. & Anr.; The firm has successfully defended the preliminary objection pertaining to maintainability of the letters patent appeal challenging the single judge’s judgement. The Hon’ble High Court held that Letters Patent Appeal can be filed before a division bench against a judgement passed by a single-judge in an appeal against an order of the Registrar of Trademarks. The matter will now proceed to be argued on its merits, that is registrability of the trademarks “SWISS MILITARY” wordmark and device mark.
- AGFA NV – Agfva NV & Anr. v. The Assistant Controller of Patents & Designs.; The firm represented Agfa NV in an appeal challenging the impugned order passed by the Controller of Patents and Design and was successful in setting aside the order passed by the Patent Office.
- Mountain Valley Springs India Private Limited – Mountain Valley Springs India Private Limited v. Baby Forest Ayurveda Private Limited (Formerly Known as M/S Landsmill Healthcare Private Limited) & Ors.; The firm is representing Mountain Valley Springs India Private Limited in a trademark infringement suit. Validity of the trademarks registered by Baby Forest Ayurveda Private Limited has also been challenged by way of rectification petitions. The firm was successful in obtaining an interim injunction, wherein the Baby Forest Ayurveda Private Limited has been restrained from using marks “SAUNDARYA” and “BABY ESSENTIALS”.
- Pine Labs Private Limited – Innoviti Payment Solutions Private Limited Vs Pine Labs Private Limited,: The firm is representing Pine Labs in a patent infringement suit in the FinTech space before the Karnataka High Court and was able to successfully obtain a vacation of an ad-interim injunction that was passed against Pine Labs by the District Court.
- M.K Srinivasan Systems Pvt. Ltd. – M.K. Srinivasan & Anr. v. Magesh Jayaraman & Ors.,: The firm has filed the infringement suit on behalf of M.K. Srinivasan against Mr. Magesh Jayaraman, Transgrid Test and Measurement LLP and Motwane Manufacturing Company Private Limited for infringing and using M.K. Srinivasan’s registered patent. An ad interim- injunction was granted in favour of our Client for patent and copyright infringement by the Delhi High Court.
- G4S Plc. (formerly known as Group 4 Securicor Plc.),: The Firm is representing G4S Plc., a leading security services company, before the High Court of Delhi in various disputes with third party infringers. The Firm through focussed investigations and targeted civil actions has successfully prevented and obtained injunctions against various third parties from adopting identical or deceptively similar trademarks likely to cause brand dilution.
- The Financial Times Limited – Benjamin Nicholas Brooke Parkin & Anr. Vs. State of Gujarat & Anr.; The firm is representing two journalists of The Financial Times in a criminal writ petition before the Supreme Court of India. The petition seeks to quash a police notice issued by the Crime Branch, Ahmedabad to the two journalists calling them to appear in person before the crime branch to inquire into a preliminary inquiry being conducted on an article published by The Financial Times. The said article pertains to the Adani Group of Companies. This matter carries noteworthy implications for freedom of speech and expression of media professionals in India. The Firm was successful in securing an interim relief for the two journalists. This case is presently active and under review before the Supreme Court of India.
- HarperCollins Publishers India Private Limited – Gurjit Kaur Vs. HarperCollins & Anr.; Manpreet Singh Vs. HarperCollins & Anr.; Hockey India Vs. HarperCollins & Anr.: The book “Will Power”, published by HarperCollins, is written by the former coach of the Indian women’s hockey team, Sjoerd Marijne. Prior to its release, Gurjit Kaur, a player mentioned in the Book, filed a suit for permanent injunction against HarperCollins and the author for breach of confidentiality. While the Single Judge declined to pass the ad-interim order, an interim injunction was granted in appeal. Subsequently, an Indian hockey men’s team player, Manpreet Singh filed a defamation suit with respect to the Book. Further, Hockey India also filed a copyright infringement and breach of contract suit. The Firm was successful in negotiating and finalizing the settlement agreement executed between the parties on July 11, 2023, to settle all three suits. The High Court of Delhi decreed the suits on September 20, 2023.
Diversity
Obhan & Associates strongly believes in diversity in the team and recognizes the efficacy and strength inherent in a more diverse team. The firm has actively promoted hiring of women employees and the team has always had at least 50% women employees. Obhan & Associates not only believes in hiring women but also ensures that they reach their full potential, which is indicative from the fact that 6 out of 7 partners at the firm are women. We have flexible work policies for all our employees, not just women, that include work from home options and options to work on specific projects for a defined period. Consequently, the Firm was awarded with the Best Law Firm for Women in 2018, award by the Vahura – Best Law Firms to Work Rankings in their 1st edition (2018) and 2nd edition (2022).
In addition to their focus on gender equality, Obhan & Associates and its partners, especially Essenese Obhan, periodically dedicate time and resources on pro bono matters. The firm has provided legal aid to those with a meagre sources of income and has also taken initiative to work with students from IIT, Delhi including drafting and filing their trademark and patent applications as well as drafting and negotiating the commercial agreements that they propose to enter into with third parties. Furthermore, the firm is the lead sponsor for a patent drafting course (FICPI-SEAD course) and encourages knowledge building, training exercises as well as sessions for individual inventors and start-ups through its Think Wings Initiative. Obhan & Associates has also taken an initiative in promoting local art/artists as a recognition of their value addition to the society.
Obhan & Associates is led by open-minded leaders, Ms. Ashima Obhan in particular. She ensures her team’s success and to keep the motivation alive, she provides flexible work policies to the team concerning working hours, office timings, etc. She has been promoting the culture of working from home in cases of a family crisis or health issues. She has encouraged female team members to have flexible hours, in order to sync work schedules with childcare responsibilities, without compromising on work quality.
Obhan & Associates has always been committed to an inclusive and diverse workplace. The firm remains committed to recruiting and supporting diverse candidates and promoting diversity.
Client Testimonials
CLIENT: Mr. Satish Padmanabhan, Joint Managing Director
COMPANY/FIRM: Steer Engineering Private Limited
TESTIMONIAL: STEER has known Obhan & Associates for over 14 years. Essenese Obhan is a knowledgeable, thoughtful attorney with whom we have had numerous technical discussions, including various IP matters that have been valuable to us. Over the years, we have come to appreciate his insights and inputs in building our patent portfolio. On our Corporate law needs, STEER is ably supported by the team led by Ashima. Every time we call on the Obhans, they are prompt and help resolve our legal challenges with utmost care and diligence. STEER considers Obhan & Associates to be highly trustworthy and ethical, and would not hesitate to contact Obhan & Associates on legal matters. STEER deeply appreciates the support and great service from Team Obhans and wishes Team Obhans the very best.
CLIENT: Mr. Samrath Bedi, CEO and Co-Founder
COMPANY/FIRM: Mountain Valley Springs India Private Limited (Forest Essentials)
TESTIMONIAL: Obhan & Associates have, in the last 4 years, provided Forest Essentials with legal support and advice on the full spectrum of commercial needs including leases, contracts with its suppliers, distributors, employees, company law advice and HR policies. Ashima Obhan is a thorough professional, knowledgeable, experienced, and intuitively understands business concerns. The competent corporate practice team has handled our diverse legal requirements with expertise, and we highly recommend them.
CLIENT: Ms. Sudha Kannan, Head – Knowledge Centre & Patent Cell
COMPANY/FIRM: Aditya Birla Science & Technology Company Private Limited
TESTIMONIAL: I have been using Obhan & Associates’ services for more than a decade now for my organization. I have found the services to be excellent in nature and prompt. The team is dedicated and very supportive in case of urgent matters and helping the scientists in patent related matters. I have found the team to be always available and guiding us through in a resourceful manner. Best wishes to Obhan & Associates.
CLIENT: Mr. Ramesh Kumar Verma, Senior Manager – IPR
COMPANY/FIRM: Tata Chemicals Limited
TESTIMONIAL: Obhan & Associates is comprehensive and leads on the full range of IP services. They have been excellent in providing client specific solutions in the area of Chemistry, Biotechnology and Engineering. The key advantage of the team is the quality of work done and quick turn-around. Obhan & Associates has been instrumental in strategizing and supporting us in various FTO and infringement related challenges we encountered in the recent past. In nutshell you can blindly rely upon Obhan & Associates “opinion”.