Intellectual property in Bulgaria

Boyanov & Co.

The ‘kind, quick and professional’ team at Boyanov & Co. handles the full spectrum of IP issues and is jointly led by litigator Kina Chuturkova and Principal Associate and Head of IP Department Stela Sabeva; Chuturkova primarily assists with the enforcement of IP rights and Sabeva provides strategic advice on the protection and registration of trade mark and design portfolios. The group's client roster encompasses brand owners in the pharmaceutical, telecoms, retail and food sectors; notable examples include GlaxoSmithKline, Amazon, Procter & Gamble and Jacobs Douwe Egberts. In a recent highlight, the team represented Siemens PLM Software in multiple software piracy claims relating to the use of illegal copies of Siemens' software products. Natasha Andreeva is now of counsel following her retirement.

Dimitrov, Petrov & Co

Dimitrov, Petrov & Co has ‘a well-established structure and a competent and qualified team’, which is ‘very considerate, quick and cost efficient’ and provides 'an excellent service'; it regularly advises on the protection and defence of innovations, brands, designs and creative works. Senior associate Bilyana Angelova leads the group and is singled out as ‘an outstanding young expert, recognised not only nationally but also at an EU level’ thanks to ‘impressive competency levels and organisational talent’; associate Alexandra Lassina also attracts praise for her 'responsiveness and professionalism'. Clients include Google and Johnson & Johnson; the group acted for the latter in a trade mark infringement claim against a Bulgarian distributor.

Djingov, Gouginski, Kyutchukov & Velichkov

With 'high levels of professionalism, excellent market knowledge and an exhaustive approach', Djingov, Gouginski, Kyutchukov & Velichkov fields a ‘strong and responsive’ team, which utilises its 'great skill levels to handle a difficult legal environment'. Department head Kalina Tchakarova has 'outstanding legal expertise' placing her as 'one of the best IP lawyers in the country'; other key practitioners include senior associate Dessislava Iordanova, who handles global branding strategies, trade mark registrations and IP disputes; associate Kamen Gogov, who focuses on trade mark, design and patent work; and associate Patricia Cherkezova, who is 'always willing to go the extra mile'. The group's recent work includes advising Wizz Air Hungary on its registration of a single colour trade mark; other clients include Carlsberg, Red Bull, Transport for London and Universal Pictures International.

Georgiev, Todorov & Co

Georgiev, Todorov & Co's department is ‘unquestionably experienced and highly professional’ and focuses on trade mark registrations and copyright protection issues. Ivan Todorov and Arno Mamasyan jointly lead the team, which also fields associate Tsvetelina Dimitrova, who 'impresses with her decision-oriented approach, in-depth knowledge and ability to assemble the little details to see the bigger picture'. The groups counts Ciela Production, Borica and Hill Clinic as clients, and also recently advised Asarel Investment on copyright issues relating to its use of photographs and video content on its corporate website.

Kambourov & Partners

Kambourov & Partners has 'a unique position in the market as no other firm has better insight into the media and entertainment industry'; it fields 'a team of great negotiators', which includes team head Margarita Guigova, who is 'legally, commercially and personally brilliant' and 'a terrific problem solver and litigator', and associate Yana Todorova. The team's entertainment clients include authors, performing artists, movie producers, broadcasters and corporations; Prestige-96, singer Orlin Pavlov and journalist Sevda Shishmanova are notable examples. Recent highlights include Guigova defending Sofia Municipality in a copyright dispute brought by a sculptor relating to a monument previously located in front of the National Palace of Culture, and acting for Global Vision in a copyright infringement case relating to fair use issues surrounding parodied excerpts in a comedic television show.

CMS

CMS' 'highly professional' department has 'great analytical skills and helps guide clients to the best decision' through 'meaningful communication and excellent transparency'. Recent highlights include advising Syngenta on issues relating to trade mark violations and repackaging infringements, and acting for Sky International in a trade mark prosecution. Senior associates Nevena Radlova and Antonia Kehayova jointly lead the practice, and junior associate Tatyana Yosifova is singled out as ‘an outstanding practitioner’.

Delchev & Partners

Ivan Marinov heads up the group at Delchev & Partners, which handles copyright work, patents, industrial design issues and trade marks. Marinov recently acted for Katarzyna Estate in a trade mark dispute in the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO), and advised Publicis on copyright matters and neighbouring rights issues relating to its advertising. Abraxas and Zov Solutions are also clients.

Gugushev & Partners Law Office

Gugushev & Partners Law Office's 'flexible, responsive and impressive' team provides 'a professional approach to each matter' and 'a strong devotion to its clients'; it is recognised for its trade mark registration expertise, contentious experience and regulatory knowledge. Department head Yoanna Ivanova is 'an IP expert who adds tremendous value to a matter through her excellent communication skills, accuracy and efficiency', and Petko Angelov has 'an impressive track record and can easily solve the most difficult cases'. In a recent highlight, the group defended Konservinvest in a trade mark dispute relating to its lyutenitsa trade mark.

Penkov, Markov & Partners

Penkov, Markov & Partners' IP expertise encompasses contentious matters, IP agreements and the sale and purchase of IP rights. Vladimir Penkov and senior associate Yordan Politov jointly lead the group; Politov is singled out as ‘one of the leading lawyers in the field’ and provides ‘useful and on-point advice on copyright issues’.

Wolf Theiss

Wolf Theiss' client roster spans the TMT, food, banking, healthcare and retail sectors; the team recently advised a pharmaceutical company on the protection of its IP rights against counterfeited medicinal products. Other areas of expertise include the registration, protection, acquisition and licensing of trade marks, patents, copyrights and franchises. Anna Rizova and Richard Clegg jointly lead the practice, which also fields senior associate Hristina Dzhevlekova and associate Iva Georgieva.