Firms To Watch: Intellectual property: foreign firms

Promoted to partner in May 2022, Allen & Overy LLP's Shanghai-based Jill Ge  covers the full spectrum of IP litigation and transactional work in China, with extensive experience in contentious patent, trade secret and trade mark matters.
Winston & Strawn LLP fields experienced partner Ya-Chiao Chang (a May 2021 recruit from Yuanda China Law Offices, the firm's strategic alliance partner in Shanghai), who has longstanding experience in US patent law involving China.

Intellectual property: foreign firms in China

Baker McKenzie FenXun

Baker McKenzie FenXun‘s Greater China team has substantial expertise in IP portfolio management, technology transfers and licensing transactions. The group also conducts IP audits, provides patent validity and infringement opinions, and assists with litigation and transactional IP matters. Through the firm’s IP agencies in Beijing and Shanghai, the firm additionally handles PRC trade mark, copyright and enforcement matters. On the mainland, Shanghai-based Clement Ngai is a specialist in pharmaceutical and regulatory issues, technology transactions in China, and IP litigation involving technology such as patent and trade secrets. Over in Hong Kong, Isabella Liu, who has an enviable global life sciences clientele, leads the firm’s Asia-Pacific IP and technology group; Loke-Khoon Tan routinely assists household name brands with high-stakes IP litigation and IP advisory matters; Maria Smith leads the Hong Kong and regional brand protection and enforcement team; and Andrew Sim heads the Hong Kong IP enforcement and litigation practice.

Practice head(s):

Isabella Liu

Other key lawyers:

Clement Ngai; Loke-Khoon Tan; Maria Smith; Andrew Sim; Ruby Chan

Testimonials

‘The team works very well together and produces an excellent product in a timely manner.’

Key clients

ChildLife

Louis Vuitton Malletier

Rockit Global

Work highlights

  • Acted for ChildLife in successfully obtaining a landmark interlocutory injunction from the Hong Kong High Court against a former distributor, which marked the first-ever preliminary injunction issued in Hong Kong against passing-off in China.
  • Acted for Rockit Global in filing an administrative complaint against unauthorised label changes on imported Rockit apples.
  • Represented Louis Vuitton in both filing an invalidation action and subsequent administrative litigation.

Bird & Bird

Bird & Bird‘s 'unrivalled' Greater China IP team is highly experienced in trade marks, patents, trade secrets, copyright and designs, covering both strategic commercial IP advice along with IP disputes. It is additionally well known for its sector specialisms in technology and innovation-driven areas, such as life sciences, healthcare, retail, consumer, media, entertainment and sports (including e-gaming). The firm also has its own IP consultancy in Beijing, which facilitates the conduct of trade mark and copyright matters directly before mainland Chinese government departments; and through its association with  PRC firm Lawjay Partners, it assists with litigation before China's courts. Christine Yiu is the key Shanghai partner; and in Beijing, Rieko Michishita is routinely instructed by Japanese companies, and counsel Dorie Wong is a May 2022-elevated partner. Over in Hong Kong, Matthew Laight is the Asia-Pacific IP group leader, while Hank Leung is a brand and product design expert.

Practice head(s):

Christine Yiu; Hank Leung

Other key lawyers:

Rieko Michishita; Dorie Wong; Matthew Laight; Alison Wong; Victor Tse

Testimonials

‘Incredible partners for the protection and securing of trade marks in China, Hong Kong and Macau. The lawyers’ responsiveness, professionalism, flexibility and clear advice make them unrivalled collaborators.’

‘The team in Shanghai is both strategic and practical. Apart from being very knowledgeable in legal practice, it has a keen business sense alongside a holistic view on conflict handling.’

‘Christine Yiu is very smart and has a keen sense of what is relevant and what is not, also from a business perspective. Her legal advice is thorough but always to the point, which makes it easy to digest for non-legals. She is the perfect partner for strategising.

Key clients

Anker Innovations Technology

Anycubic

Aphria Inc.

Estee Lauder

Helen of Troy

Hong Kong Trade Development Council

International Olympic Committee

Li & Fung

Riot Games

SmartMore Corporation

Work highlights

  • Advised the International Olympic Committee on its global IP portfolio.
  • Advised Anycubic on its global IP risk management and IP filing, including global trade mark infringement risk analysis and patent prosecution in Europe.
  • Assisted NM Holding with a copyright registration.

DLA Piper

DLA Piper‘s Greater China team has enviable sector expertise in media, sports, entertainment, consumer goods, food, retail, life sciences and technology. The group manages the IP portfolios of major global brands, while its IP advice covers cross-border anti-piracy operations, global trade mark clearances and disputes, acquisitions, and IP tax restructuring. The Asia IP practice is co-led by Beijing-based Horace Lam, whose practice covers pan-Asia brand protection strategies, cross-border IP litigation, infringement and enforcement work, technology and knowhow transfer and licensing, and IP structuring and transactions; and brand protection and enforcement specialist Edward Chatterton in Hong Kong. The mainland group also features recently promoted partner Ting Xiao, the leader of the firm’s patent practice in China; and senior IP team consultants Allen Xu and Asher Yan. In late 2021, William (Skip) Fisher relocated from Shanghai to the firm’s Seattle office, while Reking Chen left the firm in November 2022.

Practice head(s):

Horace Lam; Edward Chatterton

Other key lawyers:

Ting Xiao; Allen Xu; Asher Yan

Testimonials

‘DLA is highly appreciated for its approach to problem solving, which is based on clear, thorough reasoning and practicality.’

Great contacts all over the world, providing solid professional legal services in various places.

The team members are all highly educated and have rich IP experience, and strong professional and technical backgrounds. They can provide clients with cross-jurisdictional and barrier-free professional advice and support alongside high levels of business sense.

‘Horace Lam and senior consultant Allen Xu are greatly appreciated. Their legal opinions are grounded in clear and thorough reasoning, as well as a sophisticated understanding of local industry protocols and, most importantly, the value of clients’ brands.’

Ting Xiao efficiently coordinates different jurisdictions and different professional departments.

Key clients

Beijing E-Town Biomedical Sciences Park

Hyatt

Papa John’s

Work highlights

  • Acted for Beijing E-Town Biomedical Sciences Park on the conclusion of an exclusive strategic alliance, which included providing training on global patent protection, licensing, and trade mark protection to companies within the park.
  • Advising Hyatt on a wide range of branding matters, from prosecution and infringement to domain name and commercial IP issues.
  • Advising Papa John’s (fast food brand) on a wide range of IP matters in the PRC, Hong Kong and Macau.

Hogan Lovells International LLP

Hogan Lovells International LLP‘s ‘very strong‘ Greater China practice is sought out by pharmaceutical industry, internet and technology companies for cutting-edge IP issues, such as patent linkage and best practices, including the protection of employee-related trade secrets; and through the firm’s associated legal practice in the Shanghai Free Trade Zone, Fujian Fidelity Law Firm, the team routinely acts in heavyweight IP litigation. On the mainland, China and US-qualified head of Asia IPMT Helen Xia is a specialist in IP disputes, portfolio management, obtaining and enforcing IP rights, and commercial licensing; and Zhen (Katie) Feng focuses on IP litigation and brand protection work. At counsel level, Grace Guo‘s practice ranges from trade marks and copyright, to domain names, patents and trade secrets; and Yu-An Chang advises multinational and Chinese companies on the procurement, protection, enforcement and commercialisation of IP assets. Eugene Low heads the IPMT group in Hong Kong.

Practice head(s):

Helen Xia; Zhen (Katie) Feng; Eugene Low

Other key lawyers:

Grace Guo; Yu-An Chang

Testimonials

‘The team has very strong IP knowledge and is very business focused, addressing clients’ questions/requests perfectly within a short period of time.’

‘Clients love working with partner Helen Xia and counsel Grace Guo. Both of them are very responsive, and give practical and easily-understandable advice.’

Key clients

Mascotte Holdings

Spray Moret

Coda Payments

Nike

Intel

Work highlights

  • Managing Spray Moret’s trade mark portfolio in China, including prosecution and enforcement matters.
  • Successfully acted for Nike Innovate C V in a trade mark infringement lawsuit against Zhongqiao Sports Co and Fujian Jing Gou Internet Technology Co.

Jones Day

With 'extensive experience and capabilities', Jones Day‘s China IP practice has a notably strong track record in the technology and life sciences sectors. It is routinely instructed by large companies on major IP matters; and its broad experience covers IP prosecution, litigation and transactions in the Asia-Pacific region, as well as Europe and the US. Representative areas range from multinational companies' inbound disputes, IP transactions and China portfolio strategies, to acting for Chinese companies in outbound litigation. The firm can also boast its own IP agency in China. On the mainland, former co-chair of the IP subcommittee of the American Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai, Anthony Chen, has longstanding experience in cross-border, China-related IP matters; and 2021-appointed partner Guoping Da regularly acts in IP enforcement and infringement actions. Chen and Da are both 'extraordinary attorneys'. Over in Hong Kong, Haifeng Huang maintains a broad IP disputes practice.

Practice head(s):

Anthony Chen; Haifeng Huang

Other key lawyers:

Guoping Da

Testimonials

‘The Jones Day team has extensive experience and capabilities, and is able to address all the issues that can arise during Chinese patent proceedings.

The team is extremely knowledgeable about patent prosecution matters.’

‘Anthony Chen and Guoping Da are extraordinary attorneys. They are extremely dedicated, and very much available for advice at any time of the day or night, even when travelling. They are also proactive in addressing issues as they arise, and in considering how matters will play out going forward.’

Key clients

Velodyne Lidar

Tineco Intelligent Technology Co

Moody’s Corporation

Educational Testing Service

Hangzhou Hikvision Digital Technology Co

Leadermed Health Group

East Penn Manufacturing Co

WikiMedia Foundation

Huadong Medicine Co

Zhongze Therapeutics (Cayman) Holding

Rouse

Housing 'excellent professionals who are responsive, thoughtful and efficient', mainland China-based IP practice Rouse has enviable roots in trade mark work; and in collaboration with its local strategic partner, Lusheng Law Firm, the practice fields over 300 people from Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Hong Kong and Shenzhen. The team acts for multinational clients in China on a broad range of IP services, in addition to assisting Chinese multinational companies with outbound IP matters. Dividing her time between Shanghai and London, Linda Chang is an expert in bad faith-related trade mark disputes; former China trade mark group head, Hatty Cui, is the recently promoted general manager of China; Amanda Yang's practice covers the registering of non-traditional trade marks; and Melanie Zhu manages a variety of trade mark portfolios. Also highly regarded is Joshua Mandell, who predominantly works with American and European multinationals, while senior consultant James Godefroy is Guangzhou enforcement team co-head.

Practice head(s):

Linda Chang; Hatty Cui; Amanda Yang; Melanie Zhu; Joshua Mandell; James Godefroy

Other key lawyers:

Ya Wen; Flora Fang; Susan Fan; Laura Zhao

Testimonials

A group of excellent professionals who are responsive, thoughtful and efficient.

Melanie Zhu and Laura Zhao, who practice trade mark prosecution, are professionals who are recognised as timely and clearly trustworthy advisers.

Key clients

Spin Master

SC Johnson & Son

Sanofi

Burberry

Universal Studios

Babyzen

Lenovo Group

Hansgrohe SE

CCA and B

u-blox

Work highlights

  • Represented S C Johnson in relation to the invalidation of a trade mark.
  • Acted for (alongside Lusheng Law Firm) Sanofi in administrative litigation against misuse of its brand name.
  • Acted for (alongside Lusheng Law Firm) u-blox against a domestic technology company for copyright infringement.

Deacons

Deacons‘ Hong Kong-based IP team, which also leverages support from representative offices in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou, acts for some of the world’s best-known brands. The firm houses patent attorneys, who are  qualified in Australia, China, Europe and the UK, and has a longstanding track record  in handling large trade mark portfolios and prosecution matters. The IP department is co-led by IP expert Charmaine Koo, and Annie Tsoi, who consistently acts for leading companies from the luxury goods, cosmetics, pharmaceutical, entertainment, fashion and electronics sectors. Also integral to the group are patents and designs practice leader, Catherine Zheng, a specialist in China IP protection strategy and contentious matters; Dora Si, who provides 'quick responses' and 'firm and concise advice', and advises on China-related data privacy and cybersecurity issues; and China-focused technology specialist Ian Liu, who is particularly active in IP litigation and enforcement work, along with commercial IP matters.

Practice head(s):

Charmaine Koo; Annie Tsoi

Other key lawyers:

Catherine Zheng; Dora Si; Ian Liu; Tracy Li

Testimonials

‘The Deacons IP team is very accurate, providing clear advice on how clients should proceed after analysing matters.’

‘The lawyers show concern about what matters to clients’ businesses and the challenges they face. Accuracy and professionalism are what clients value most in this team.

The team discusses all aspects of all issues and provides appropriate professional advice.

‘Particularly useful that the group’s practitioners handle both HK and China trade mark portfolios.’

Great for not only evaluating cases from a legal perspective, but also from a practical angle.

‘Annie Tsoi and Dora Si are rated for their experience, patience and professionalism. They impress with their informative presentations, which point out all the challenges and weaknesses clients have within their trade mark matters, and what improvements they could make.’

Annie Tsoi and Doris Si provide a very professional service.

‘Dora Si – quick responses, proactive, and firm and concise advice.’

Key clients

Ping An Group

Google

Alibaba Group

Hong Kong Science and Technology Park

PCCW

Mayer Brown

The broad sector expertise of Mayer Brown‘s Hong Kong-based IP practice covers several key areas, including financial services, construction, manufacturing, retail, luxury and fashion. It also fields specialists in the real estate, hospitality and TMT sectors. The group handles hundreds of IP disputes each year, including matters involving company hijacking cases, litigation and arbitration, many of which comprise insolvency issues or cross-border elements. It also assists global brands with strategies for enforcing IP rights, covering customs seizures and administrative actions. Co-leader of the global IP practice, Gabriela Kennedy, a go-to practitioner for technology start-ups, media companies and universities, also leads the firm's trade mark agency in Beijing. Also highly regarded are Amita Haylock, whose IP rights practice ranges from trade marks, to copyright, designs and patents; and counsel, Michelle Yee, a brand management expert.

Practice head(s):

Gabriela Kennedy

Other key lawyers:

Amita Haylock; Michelle Yee

Testimonials

‘Great commitment to community engagement, which provides opportunities to learn, share and network.’

‘Gabriela Kennedy is a solid expert, with the talent not just to listen but to hear,  and then find solutions. Given her volume of commitments, she is also very impressive for her responsiveness and ability to pull in expertise from other parts of the firm, both locally and internationally. She always has exactly the right person to reach out to.’

Key clients

adidas

Clorox

Wynn

Cummins

P&G

Nvidia & Mellanox

South China Morning Post

Abercrombie & Fitch

Sun Hung Kai Group

Kodak

Mastercard

Visa

Uniqlo

Jack Daniel’s

Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP

Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP‘s broad China IP practice ranges from patents, trade marks and trade secrets, to copyright. In relation to the IP aspects of technology disputes, clients particularly appreciate the firm's large team of patent attorneys, who have engineering, science and law degrees, but are also qualified as patent agents and lawyers. The mainland China-based group is also sought out for its experience in China-US IP litigation, and is a go-to practice for the representation of Chinese companies before the US International Trade Commission (ITC). The expertise of China IP head Xiang Wang covers patent, copyright and trade mark infringements, trade secrets' misappropriation, and industrial espionage; and Yufeng (Ethan) Ma regularly assists with IP litigation before the ITC and the US federal courts. The team also features Shelley Zhang, whose practice comprises patent enforcement litigation and invalidation proceedings, trade secret enforcements, anti-counterfeiting and anti-piracy.

Practice head(s):

Xiang Wang

Other key lawyers:

Yufeng (Ethan) Ma; Shelley Zhang

Key clients

Hisense

BBK Electronics Corp

Anker Innovations

Micron

Yaham Optoelectronics Co

Coolpad Technologies

Sina Corporation

Beijing Xiaomi Technology Corporation

Geely

Perfect World Entertainment

Vivo Mobile Communication

Tencent Technology

OnePlus Technology (Shenzhen) Co

EKO Development

Work highlights

  • Defending Anker Innovatiosn and its affiliates against several trade mark and patent infringement cases.
  • Assisted a Chinese medical device company with negotiating settlement and worldwide cross-licensing agreements, in relation to a patent infringement lawsuit.
  • Successfully assisted a multinational personal care company with multiple lawsuits to protect its legal rights in China.

SIPS – Simone Intellectual Property Services

Operating out of Beijing, Guangzhou, Hong Kong and Shanghai, SIPS – Simone Intellectual Property Services is a go-to practice for the registration, enforcement and licensing of China-related IP rights, particularly trade marks and copyright; and the firm's trade mark agency, SIPS (Shanghai), is authorised to act in trade mark prosecutions before the China National Intellectual Property Administration. As of mid-2021, the firm is a member of an IP services firm group that includes a patent agency (Beijing EastIP) and investigation firm (SinoFaith). Dividing his time between Hong Kong and Shanghai, Joe Simone is a widely respected China IP expert; and in Hong Kong, Dan Plane specialises in enforcements, prosecutions and anti-counterfeiting, along with supply chain integrity, while Helen Tang is Hong Kong practice head. Over in Shanghai, US-qualified Joshua Miller is an enforcement and registry expert; and in Beijing, trade mark prosecution and enforcement specialist Irene Liu is office general manager.

Practice head(s):

Dan Plane; Joe Simone; Helen Tang

Other key lawyers:

Joshua Miller; Irene Liu; Grace Chen; Mai Lin

AWA Asia

Consistently achieving ‘the best results for clients‘, IP firm AWA Asia fields experts in patents, trade marks, design, copyright and domain names. Its scope of practice ranges from prosecution and dispute litigation, to aftermarket services, strategy and commercialisation. In addition to leading the firm’s wholly owned Chinese IP consultancy in Beijing, Ai-Leen Lim heads the firm’s Asia offices as CEO and principal counsel from Hong Kong. Over in Beijing, Xiaofan Chen focuses on both contentious and non-contentious strategic patent portfolio management, while Ashley Zhao is a trade mark, copyright, domain name and internet law specialist.

Practice head(s):

Ai-Leen Lim; Ashley Zhao; Xiaofan Chen

Testimonials

‘AWA Asia consistently achieves the best results for clients. In addition, it is the most accurate at predicting how a matter will go and how much it will cost.’

‘Its advice is invaluable in helping US clients decide whether to fight a rejection or file an opposition, and whether it would be worth the spend. Its pragmatism sets it apart from other law firms in China that want to give clients a treatise on the law, but offer little guidance into how/why the client would want to choose one avenue over the other in terms of prosecution or enforcement.’

‘The team has many different skills, which is perfect for clients dealing with many issues at the same time.’

‘AWA Asia provides a single point of contact for handling matters in both mainland China and Hong Kong – reliable and very responsive, handling multiple matters at a time for clients.’

‘Ai-Leen is fantastic to work with. She’s very professional, has all the right skills and is a very good communicator. She also has a very good business mindset, which is essential to providing the best advice for client companies.’

‘Ai-Leen Lim is very attentive to client management and understanding of clients’ needs.’

‘Ai-Leen Lim is not just a wonderful human being and an extremely knowledgeable professional, she just understands clients with very little direction and can translate clients’ wishes into a workable solution every time. By not having to spend numerous back-and-forth emails explaining what they want or trying to redirect her, she just answers clients’ questions with clear, elegant responses and potential solutions; and more importantly, she tells clients what is best for the client and why.’

‘Xiaofan Chen is extremely good at patent strategy and enforcement. He is also very fast at grasping the relevant points and taking these to the next level.’

‘Ashley Zhao is meticulous, knowledgeable, and practically perfect at execution.’

Work highlights

  • Assisting a large manufacturing corporation with its enforcement activities in China, including takedowns of infringing products from popular e-commerce platforms.
  • Defending an opposition case for one of the world’s largest software companies, as well as filing several non-use cancellations.
  • Advising a leading jewellery manufacturer and retailer on its China strategy and enforcement matters.

Clifford Chance LLP

Clifford Chance LLP‘s Greater China and Asia Pacific IP group comprises both IP specialists and commercial lawyers from the firm's corporate, litigation and dispute resolution teams, who consistently handle both contentious and transactional IP issues. With longstanding experience in advising clients on IP-related matters in the Greater China region, Hong Kong-based IP Asia group head Ling Ho 'impresses with her analysis', while in Shanghai Lei Shi is a PRC-related IP disputes expert. In April 2022, Yi Yang, who advises multinational clients from the pharmaceutical, healthcare, consumer goods and manufacturing industries on IP matters, was made partner.

Practice head(s):

Ling Ho

Other key lawyers:

Lei Shi; Yi Yang; Thomas Walsh; Iris Mok; Dianna Shao; Haoyang Zhang; Justin Luo

Testimonials

‘Clifford Chance’s IP practice features sharp insights into clients’ business alongside tailored legal services.’

‘Ling Ho consistently impresses with her analysis, attention to critical details, and personalised legal service.’

CMS

With 'extensive experience and knowledge of IP legal affairs', CMS' team operates from Shanghai, Beijing and Hong Kong. The firm's sector-focused hub in Beijing is led by 'excellent IP lawyer' and IP Asia-Pacific head Nick Beckett, who divides his time between Beijing and Hong Kong; and the hub is strengthened by the firm's technology and innovation centre, which provides technical assistance with patent analysis, freedom to operate issues and validity searches. Ulrike Glueck leads the IP team in Shanghai, where Nicolas Zhu advises foreign companies and foreign-invested companies in China; and senior associate Panpan Tang has an active IP practice.

Practice head(s):

Nick Beckett

Other key lawyers:

Ulrike Glueck; Nicolas Zhu; Panpan Tang

Testimonials

‘The team has extensive experience and knowledge of IP legal affairs in Europe, and can assist clients with the resolution of practical problems quickly and efficiently.

The members of the team have a very good understanding of the habits and thinking of Chinese clients, and can accurately grasp the needs of clients and give targeted suggestions.’

‘For all patent and data protection matters, the advice was delivered clearly and succinctly.’

‘The team has great depth through its experienced practitioners, who are adept at keeping across IP developments and extremely efficient in their service delivery.’

‘Nick Beckett divides his time between CMS China and CMS Hong Kong, but regardless of where he is, he is immediately reachable; and his team is exceptionally talented and a pleasure to work with professionally.’

‘Nick Beckett is a great team player, highly collaborative and extremely generous with his time.’

Nick Beckett is an excellent IP lawyer. He works diligently, pays attention to the detail, and gives very specific and actionable advice.

Key clients

Takeda Pharmaceutical Company

Unilever

Elmos Semiconductor

UCL

Dentsu Aegis Network

Eli Lilly

DuPont

Atos

The Wellcome Trust

Muddy Boots Software

K&L Gates

A go-to practice for companies requiring brand protection globally, K&L Gates‘ Greater China IP practice ranges from portfolio management and prosecution work to litigation. Its expertise covers patent litigation, section 337 investigations before the US' ITC, and portfolio development matters in the US, Asia, Australia and Europe. Dividing his time between Hong Kong and Beijing, Jay Chiu is a widely respected US-qualified IP litigator; and Beijing counsel Edward Yao advises on IP creation, protection and enforcement work, along with anti-counterfeiting and licensing programmes. Hong Kong-based Winnie Chan advises on trade marks, copyright, designs, patents and domain names.

Practice head(s):

Jay Chiu

Other key lawyers:

Edward Yao; Winnie Chan

Testimonials

K&L Gates performs very well in the field of patent litigation – outstanding work.

Key clients

Actions Microelectronics Co

Advantech Co

Avision Inc.

Darfon Electronics Corp

Getac Technology Corporation

Guangdong Juxin New Materials Technology Co

Luxshare Precision

OnePlus Technology (Shenzhen) Co

Realtek Semiconductor Corp

Shenzhen Haimingrun Superhard Materials Co

Shenzhen Nukun Technology Co

SIMO Holdings

Skyroam

Zhengzhou New Asia Superhard Materials Composite Co

ZTE Corporation

Work highlights

  • Defending Luxshare Precision (a connector company) and its subsidiaries against patent infringement claims over electrical connectors and cages.
  • Defended respondent Realtek Semiconductor Corp against patent infringement allegations concerning video processing devices and digital smart televisions.
  • Representing Zhengzhou New Asia Superhard Materials Composite Co, Guangdong Juxin New Materials Technology Co and Shenzhen Haimingrun Superhard Materials Co in a USITC/Section 337 case, which was filed by US Synthetic in relation to polycrystalline diamond compacts and articles.

Simmons & Simmons

Routinely acting for global brands on trade mark work, Simmons & Simmons‘ Greater China practice houses specialists in the retail, finance TMT and pharmaceutical sectors. On the mainland, George Chan is an online branding strategy expert, whose practice also covers the enforcement of IP rights, and commercial and regulatory IP matters. Chan leads the firm's Beijing IP agency, where Monica Fang advises on trade mark matters.

Other key lawyers:

George Chan; Monica Fang; Ricky (Ziqi) Xing; Judy (Wenjuan) Liu

Morrison Foerster

With experience in the pharmaceutical, biologics, diagnostics, medical devices, medicinal chemicals and vaccine sectors, Morrison Foerster‘s IP practice ranges from prosecution and litigation, to licensing work. In Hong Kong, Asia technology head Gordon Milner assists with IP matters, while Chuan Sun in Shanghai 'provides excellent technical and commercial advice'.

Practice head(s):

Gordon Milner; Chuan Sun

Other key lawyers:

Timothy Blakely; Sarah Thomas; Tyler Xiu

Testimonials

‘Exceptional service and dedication.’

‘Chuan Sun provides excellent technical and commercial advice, drawing upon a wealth of knowledge and experience.’

Associate Tyler Xiu is an excellent up-and-coming lawyer, who is very proactive and helpful.’

Key clients

Alibaba

Casdin

Centurium

Everest Medicines

Everest Medicines II

General Atlantic

Henlius

Jiangsu Hengrui Medicine Co

Roblox

The Dairy Farm Group

Triastek

Wuxi Apptec

Warburg Pincus

Work highlights

  • Advised Roblox on its joint venture with Tencent (Luobu), and the establishment and launch of the Roblox platform in China.
  • Advised Amperex Technology on its RMB14bn joint venture for mid-size battery cells and packs, and a $1.5bn technology cross-license arrangement with Contemporary Amperex Technology Co.

Norton Rose Fulbright

Norton Rose Fulbright‘s Hong Kong-based Greater China IP team advises on the acquisition, exploitation, use and enforcement of IP rights. It also regularly litigates all IP classes in courts and tribunals across Hong Kong and mainland China. Justin Davidson assists with both contentious and non-contentious IP issues across Asia.

Practice head(s):

Justin Davidson

Other key lawyers:

Stanley Ng

Testimonials

‘This team of IP attorneys has extensive experience in all aspects of IP law, including protection, due diligence, licensing and enforcement work; and it has the ability, as a one-stop shop, to assist clients with everything from IP consulting, litigation and market surveillance, to obtaining IP registrations and the formulation and negotiation of licensing and ownership agreements.’

Justin Davidson not only has a technical background, but extensive experience in holistic, comprehensive IP solutions, and a proven track record in advising multinational and Asian businesses on a wide range of litigation in the Asian region, as well as non-contentious IP and technology legal issues.

Justin Davidson regularly assists clients with protecting and exploiting their IP portfolios, and is particularly active in advising on complex IP litigation and the management of multi-jurisdictional patent disputes.

Justin Davidson is able to provide a one-stop shop for clients, including advising on all aspects of IP, from prosecution and litigation to licensing and the marketisation of IP.

Key clients

Logos

BNP Paribas

Louisville Research Foundation

Combat Medical Holdings

EON Surgical

Gentex Corporation

CSIRO

Hyla

DFB Pharma

Immunex

NLS Pharma

Samson Clinical

Curozone Ireland

Key Bioscience

Tillotts Pharma

Jacobson Pharma Corporation

BioSurgical

Crown Worldwide Holdings

Global Futures & Options

ASTRI (Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Institute)

City University of Hong Kong

Work highlights

  • Appointed as global manager of BNP Paribas’ trade mark portfolio.
  • Manages the global trade mark portfolio of Crown Worldwide.
  • Advises ASTRI on patent prosecution and patent advisory issues, in relation to its technologies.

Ropes & Gray LLP

Ropes & Gray LLP stands out for its life sciences-related IP credentials. The Shanghai team is also active in technology-related IP work. Experienced practice head Geoffrey Lin consistently plays a key role on the firm's IP matters in China, while counsel David Chen is an IP transactions and data privacy expert.

Practice head(s):

Geoffrey Lin

Other key lawyers:

David Chen

Key clients

Everest Medicines

Zai Lab

FibroGen

LianBio

Agenus

Takeda Pharmaceutical Company

Tianjin Adicon

CASI Pharmaceuticals

Wallaby Medical Holding

Work highlights

  • Advised Zai Lab, a commercial-stage biopharmaceutical company, on a collaboration and license agreement with Mirati Therapeutics.
  • Advised Everest Medicines on multiple commercial agreements for its COVID-19 products.
  • Advised Agenus on a definitive agreement to grant Bristol-Myers Squibb Company a global exclusive license to Agenus’ proprietary bispecfic antibody programme.