Next Generation Partners

Firms To Watch: Intellectual property

Luzuriaga & Castro Abogados places a strong emphasis on the enforcement of intellectual property rights, targeting the seizure of counterfeit goods through active collaboration with local customs authorities.
The intellectual property department at Puente & Asociados is led by Geovanna Puente and Federico Duret, with broad capabilities in the registration and subsequent protection of intangible assets linked to the pharmaceutical, cinema and food sectors.
Led by Pedro Córdova, the practice’s main point of contact for IP, data protection and life sciences matters, Robalino provides advice on a range of intangible asset issues, monitoring client portfolios and safeguarding these against trade mark oppositions and audits.

Intellectual property in Ecuador

Bustamante Fabara

The consolidated intellectual property team at Bustamante Fabara draws from the combined expertise of José Rafael Bustamante Espinosa, María Rosa Fabara and María Clara Bustamante to provide market-leading services in relation to trade marks, patents, enforcement and unfair competition. Within these areas, the practice is primarily engaged to act on the filing of applications, prosecution proceedings as well as litigation, sought by the likes of Google, Warner Bros. Entertainment, Heineken and Grupo Bimbo. Additional knowledge is provided by associates Pablo Fabara Vera, active in contentious mandates in particular, invention patents expert Avelina Ponce and Oscar Reyes, who adds experience as president of the Ecuadorian Intellectual Property Committee.

Practice head(s):

José Rafael Bustamante Espinosa; María Rosa Fabara; Maria Clara Bustamante


Testimonials

‘Our experience with the firm and in particular with José Rafael Bustamante, María Rosa Fabara, Sebastián Páez and Avelina Ponce is very satisfactory. They always respond quickly and diligently to our enquiries and keep us promptly informed of the evolution of the matters they deal with.’

‘Speed and efficiency. I work mainly with Avelina Ponce whose work I am very satisfied with.’

‘High level of technical knowledge.’

Key clients

Google


DirecTV Group


Warner Bros. Entertainment


Jabonería Wilson


Blenastor


Nba Properties


Sanofi


Heineken Ecuador


Grupo Bimbo


Bimbo Ecuador


Colombina


Zodiac International Corporation


Adidas International Marketing


Yum! Brands Inc.


Mondelez


Papelesa C.


Bayer Intellectual Property


Fundación Vista Para Todos


Calvin Klein


Chaide & Chaide


Genomma Lab


Grupo Gloria


Rigo Trading


Corporación El Rosado


Perry Ellis International Group Holdings


Revlon


Viacom Cbs


Mercadolibre


Pharmabrand


GSK


Mars Incorporated


Laboratorios René Chardón Del Ecuador


Mastercard Worldwide


Cisco Systems


The Bvd Licensing Corporation


Edesa


Rubini


Verdesian Life Sciences Us


Nyne Multimedia Inc


Porzio Rios Garcia Abogados y Asociados Limitada


DM Corporate & Trademark Law


CMS Cameron Mckenna Nabarro Olswang


R-Pharm International


Antonio Puig


Paramount Global


Megalabs-Pharma


Abastecedora Ecuatoriana de Combustibles Abastec


Laboratorios Nutripharma


Stinson


Bradley Arant Boult Cummings


Reuteler & Cie


Asia Pulp & Paper (App) Sinar Mas


Coblentz Patch Duffy & Bass


Kc International Patent & Law Office


Matsui & Associates


Mitrani Caballero Ruiz Moreno Abogados


Atkins And Associates


H New Media Law


HGF Limited


Santucci Advogados


Wilson Gunn


Llr Rechtsanwälte Partg Mbb


Hoyng Rokh Monegier


Sonder IP


K-Swiss Global Brands


Johansson & Langlois


Ishida Patent Office


Gates


Ruffini Ponchiroli E Associati


Assicurazioni Generali


Steptoe & Johnson


Finisweets Internacional


Tessenderlo Group


Weifang Chengxin Trademark Office


RGL Abogados Sc


Laboprep


Agpsa Almacenes Generales de Papeles Sociedad


Industria De Sistemas Electricos Inselec


Renssnature & Consulting


Wuhan Fiberhome International Technologies


Producción Elaboración y Comercializacion Alimenticia Gapirimon S.


Work highlights


  • Represented Papelesa C. in legal actions taken due to the infringement of its three-dimensional trade mark “THREE-DIMENSIONAL COLORED PENCIL DESIGN (CRAFT)”.
  • Advised Warner Bros. Entertainment with regards to a planned event related to Harry Potter, charging tickets and benefiting from the copyright on protected works.
  • Acting as counsel for Colgate-Palmolive in relation to a non-use cancellation action against the AJAX trade mark.

CorralRosales

CorralRosales is recognised for providing a full-service offering in the IP space, with comprehensive advice extending to patents, trade marks, copyright, anti-counterfeiting, portfolio management, licensing and litigation. Its contentious offering revolves around infringement proceedings and regulatory issues, evidenced by its recent advice to Faber-Castell on an administrative infringement action relating to a three-dimensional trade mark. With María Cecilia Romoleroux, Francisco Gallegos and chemical engineer Gabriel Kuri (head of patents) at the helm, the team is retained by a range of high-profile companies such as IKEA, AstraZeneca, Crocs and Uber to advise on relevant matters. The leadership team is supported by two individuals at the associate level: Katherine González has previous experience as director of oppositions at the Ecuadorian IP office, while Eduardo Ríos stands out for the enforcement of IP rights.

Practice head(s):

Maria Cecilia Romoleroux; Francisco Gallegos; Gabriel Kuri


Testimonials

‘Speedy responses. Good legal analysis of the issues. Excellent bilingual communication. Logic and good presentation (orderly and wise) of the reports. Availability 24/7.’

‘Maria Cecilia Romoleroux is one of the most prestigious lawyers in Ecuador when it comes to intellectual property. What sets her apart is her extensive knowledge of various aspects of intellectual property, and the fact that she is bilingual, which facilitates communications with non-Spanish-speaking foreign clients.’

‘Eduardo Ríos has great knowledge. Miguel Maigualmena is organised and personally appears in work.’

‘They are a very solid, committed and innovative team, with a great capacity for client service, with an excellent level of response.’

‘Francisco Gallegos and María Cecilia Romoleroux; I think they are clearly the best option in intellectual property in Ecuador and are our first and practically only option. Felipe Samaniego is the firm’s partner of the future, a great professional and expert in regulatory issues.’

Key clients

Société Des Produits Nestlé


AstraZeneca


IKEA


Pacari


Crocs


Pfizer


Merck Sharp and Dohme


Terpel


Tous


Bulgari


Productos Familia


Televisa


Sanofi


Uber Technologies


Amercia Movil


Work highlights


  • Representing Crocs in a case involving the first customs border measure seizure on the basis of a 3D mark.
  • Represented Faber-Castell in litigation, obtaining constitutional protection to suspend the effects of a preliminary injunction.
  • Representing Nestlé in judicial litigation relating to a copyright dispute with regional competitor Quala.

Falconi Puig Abogados

Falconi Puig Abogados continues to be considered a standout in the Ecuadorian IP market, with a deep bench characterised by its expertise in cross-border matters within the scope of the Andean community, as well as cancellation proceedings, litigation and the filing of trade mark applications. The team features managing partner Cecilia Falconi, an anti-counterfeiting expert, and Sasha Mandakovic and Carlos Alberto Arroyo, who combine transactional and contentious experience to handle matters in relation to trade marks, copyrights and patents.

Work highlights


Lexvalor Abogados

Lexvalor Abogados continues to consolidate its standing as a leader in IP matters, evidenced by its retention of an impressive client roster featuring the likes of Corporación Favorita, Diners Club, Abbott Laboratories and Alpina Productos Alimenticios. Market reference Luis Marin heads the practice, bringing considerable knowledge of trade mark enforcement and unfair competition issues, which is complemented by associate Emily Moreno‘s experience in prosecution matters. The firm’s expertise extends to anti-counterfeiting, plant variety protection and patent clearance.

Practice head(s):

Luis Marin Tobar


Testimonials

‘Very fast and efficient to manage and defend our brands.’

‘Good attention to detail.’

Key clients

Alpina Productos Alimenticios


Corporación Favorita


Inmobiliaria Don Antonio


Freezetone Products


Grupo Pintulac


Diners Club International


Fellowship of Christian Athletes


Premier Nutrition Company


Surfco


Hydrahead


Santos CMI


Andean Success Limited


Dan’s Corporation


ABInbev


Beverage Brands & Patents Company


Prophar


Abbott Laboratories


Comercial e Industrial Sucre


Industrias Ales


Baldoré


Scotch Whisky Association


Cole Haan


Uribe & Schwarzkopf


Diners Club International


Discover Financial Services


Animated Brands


Avon Products


Avon Cosmetics


La Casa del Calefón


Work highlights


  • Representing Comsucre in a series of administrative and constitutional actions filed by competitor Papelesa on the basis of a 3D design for a colouring pencil.
  • Represented Avon Products and Avon Cosmetics in the review and strategy to implement and register a trade mark license and sub-license agreement in favour of Productos Avon Ecuador.

Meythaler & Zambrano Abogados

Meythaler & Zambrano Abogados fields a capable team for licensing, trade mark registering and regulatory issues, with additional specialisation in the defence of pharmaceutical patents and damages in relation to patent and copyright infringements. Litigation is another area of focus for the team, which is led by dispute resolution expert José Meythaler and associate Sebastián Meythaler, a key contact for contentious matters. Additional standout practitioners include Margarita Zambrano, who spearheads the practice’s non-contentious offering, with a focus on IP licensing in particular, and Maricruz Cepeda, who often leads on patent litigation.

Practice head(s):

José Meythaler Baquero; Sebastián Meythaler


Testimonials

‘They demonstrated the success of their strategy which allowed us to achieve the results we were looking for. They made timely decisions and demonstrated their technical prowess and knowledge at all times.’

‘The strongest thing about this team is their knowledge of the pharmaceutical industry and the knowledge of the relevant authorities in the country.’

‘The intellectual property department won a trade mark case for my company. Their extensive knowledge and their strategy allowed this victory.’

Key clients

Grupofarma Del Ecuador


Merck Frosst Canada


Bayer


Directv Ecuador


Simed


Sanofi


Germán Paredes


Merakicomunicaciones


Alpina Productos Alimenticios


Work highlights


  • Advised Merakicomunicaciones on a trade mark cancellation.

Pérez Bustamante & Ponce

The IP practice at Pérez Bustamante & Ponce continues to expand its offering in the patents, copyright and trade mark spaces, where it acts for companies operating in the cosmetics, food and beverage, oil and gas, pharmaceuticals and luxury goods industries. Francisco Pérez draws from 27 years of experience managing trade mark portfolios and handling complex IP litigation to steer the team alongside the highly regarded Margarita Romero, who joined from Romero Corral Abogados in April 2023. The group demonstrates further capabilities in plant variety protection, industrial design, anti-counterfeiting and customs matters; a recent highlight for the group was its representation of Jaguar Land Rover in relation to its Jaguar trade mark. Pérez is supported by a team of senior associates, with infringement litigation expert Rafael González and portfolio management specialists Camila Mateus, who was promoted in April 2022, and Alysa Arcos standing out.

Practice head(s):

Francisco Pérez Gangotena; Margarita Romero


Testimonials

‘It is a firm with a long-held tradition in this area. It is well managed and efficient. Lawyers provide a good service within the quality standards of the country.’

‘They stand out for having a good follow-up on the issues and a quick response within the standards. Camila Mateus is our main contact at the firm and she does a good job.’

‘PBP has exceptional knowledge regarding trade mark prosecution and litigation issues in Ecuador. The team with which we have worked have always shown that they know how IP issues work in Ecuador, demonstrating that there is coherence between their recommendations and the results.’

‘Definitely what makes PBP exceptional is the quality of the recommendations they have when advising our company regarding the knowledge of the operation of the IP Law in Ecuador. Camila Mateus is a key associate for the team who always has the best of dispositions and answers our queries in a timely manner, with a focus on solutions. She is always willing to collaborate with us.’

‘It is a team that knows a lot about our business and the way we work, contributing with analysis and revisions to all the material that we launch to the market with ideas and legal contributions that make the launch of new products and services safer and clearer for the client.’

‘Francisco Perez, Rafael Gonzalez, Camila Mateus and Alisa Arcos are a team of lawyers who are committed to the work we need and have many years of experience. They have very good response times and focus on client needs.

Key clients

Amazon


AB InBev Group


American Airlines


NG Gaming


GAP


Marriott International


Brother Industries


Hermes


Arajet


Sunnova Energy Corporation


Work highlights


  • Advised Beverage Brand & Patents Company on its application for Nuestra Siembra in International Class 32, which Gaseosas Colombianas opposed, leading to a cancellation action.
  • Acted on behalf of Jaguar Land Rover in relation to the recognition of a trade mark by the Brazilian Authority and Court of Justice of the Andean Community.
  • Advising Pronanca on actions for systematic copy, bad faith and unfair competition as well as annulment actions against Bioalimentar.

Tobar ZVS

Tobar ZVS houses an intellectual property and anti-piracy team capable of protecting patent, trade mark and copyright portfolios, with particular experience handling enforcement campaigns and border measures relating to the Andean community. Alvaro Sevilla heads the practice and is active in an array of IP litigation and matters surrounding plant breeder’s rights, while of counsel Alfonso Rivera, a name to note for retail, biotechnology, automotive and apparel clients, focuses on anti-counterfeiting and copyright issues. Dispute resolution head Oscar Vela is also noted alongside associate Andrea Guevara Terán, who is recommended for infringement matters.

Practice head(s):

Alvaro Sevilla


Work highlights


  • Advised an apparel multinational on claiming notoriety status on trade marks.
  • Represented a food consortium in filing a trademark opposition to protect designation of origin.
  • Advised a consumer electronics company on a trade mark opposition against the registration of a conflicting sign.

Aguirre Noboa Law Firm

A boutique firm specialised in intellectual property matters, Aguirre Noboa Law Firm is regularly engaged to act on behalf of clients in the fashion, pharmaceutical and entertainment industries in trade mark prosecution and litigation, with further expertise in the management of trade mark portfolios, unfair competition, copyrights and patents. Founding partner Carlos Alberto Aguirre is a key point of contact for a range of related matters, with key support coming from senior associate Maria Cristina Guerra, whose practice encompasses oppositions, cancellation actions and the registration of distinct designs both domestically and in the Andean region.

Practice head(s):

Carlos Alberto Aguirre


Testimonials

‘Aguirre Noboa stands out for its efficiency, prompt responses and detailed reports.’

‘I believe that this firm has professionals who are knowledgeable in the field, and who provide quick solutions to the needs of clients. I would like to highlight Carlos Aguirre, who leads matters with great professionalism and diligence. He is also accompanied by María Cristina Guerra, who works with great responsibility, efficiency and kindness.’

‘It is a firm that has a high-level service. Communication is precise, and services are fast and timely. We have entrusted Aguirre Noboa with a large number of procedures, and we have achieved success in most of the procedures and in the case of litigation. We managed to win all the cases. We are honored by the work done.’

‘Carlos Aguirre is the firm’s key person, the availability and attention are unique. The preparation is special and the speed is incredible.’

‘It is a firm that provides a service with prompt response, competitive rates, good service and is very professional.’

‘Carlos Aguirre Noboa offers a prompt response, generating added value in cases where we must propose solutions to clients. He has a willingness to listen.’

‘They have a team of professionals with extensive knowledge in the field of intellectual property.’

‘Aguirre Noboa is a very competent intellectual property law firm, with a diverse team capable of attending from simple to the most complex matters.’

Key clients

PTK del Ecuador


Acer Incorporated


RCN Televisión


Vitae Health Innovation


Asos Holdings Limited


Ciberniksa Comunidades Digitales


Intec Products


La Tinka


Oakberry Acai


Jho Intellectual Property Holdings


Entourage IP Holdings


Suiphar International


Albireo


Agence France-Presse


Qingdao Haishang Zhicai Management Consulting


Innovamat Education


Work highlights


  • Filed and prosecuted trade mark applications for Innovamat Education, which received oppositions.
  • Acted on behalf of Jho Intellectual Property Holdings in the filing of an application for the trade mark LEMON DROP.
  • Advised Eurofarma on its filing of opposition and cancellation actions for non use against registered trade marks relating to anti-obesity pills.

Dentons Paz Horowitz

Dentons Paz Horowitz showcases an extensive breadth of expertise, handling due diligence, audits, licensing agreements for trade marks, copyright and plant varieties, and the enforcement of a variety of IP rights. Co-founding partner Bruce Horowitz shares leadership of the practice with Gabriel Santelices, combining expertise in non-traditional marks such as sound marks and tactile marks, which makes up a niche area of focus for the group. Senior associate Verónica Chiriboga is another key contact, recognised for her work on trade mark prosecution and anti-counterfeiting matters, while Mónica Cortez, who coordinates the firm’s IP portfolio, works on trade mark and patent prosecutions. Former practice head Byron Robayo Arroyo left in January 2023.

Practice head(s):

Bruce Horowitz; Gabriel Santelices


Key clients

Oriental Industria Alimenticia


Quifatex


Neal, Gerber & Einsenberg


Mario Laverde


Orca Credit Holding


Julio C Guerrero B Estudio Jurídico de Propiedad Intelectual

Managing partner Johana Aguirre heads up Julio C Guerrero B Estudio Jurídico de Propiedad Intelectual‘s longstanding IP practice, which has a strong track record in assisting clients with a range of trade mark, patent and copyright issues; indeed, the group registered the country’s first patent case. Senior associate Christian Bandre is well versed in litigation and anti-counterfeiting and in transactional IP such as licensing and tax. Sector strengths for the group include pharmaceuticals and food and beverage, especially in relation to trade mark registrations.

Practice head(s):

Johana Aguirre Guerrero


Key clients

Rolex


Ferrari


Capcom


Abbvie


Panasonic Corporation


Shimano


Yamaha Corporation


Bridgestone Corporation


Victorinox


Siemens Aktiengesellschaft


Seiko Holdings Kabushiki Kaisha (trading as Seiko Holdings Corporation)


Viña Concha y Toro


International House of Pancakes (IHOP)


Pink Floyd (1987)


Work highlights


  • Representing the International Olympic Committee in enforcement through opposition.
  • Representing Reckitt Benckiser in a multi-faceted and regional conflict involving administrative litigation and enforcement against infringement.
  • Assisting Rolex with a large clearance and prosecution project including enforcement against counterfeiting.

Quevedo & Ponce

The IP practice at Quevedo & Ponce handles a broad range of IP work -including trade marks, patents, copyright and vegetable varieties- for a healthy roster of high-profile international clients, and is particularly active in the food and pharmaceutical industries. The team is co-led by managing partner Juan Esteban Ponce Villacís, who is primarily focused on trade mark matters; and Manuel Fernández de Córdoba, who has over three decades' professional experience, particularly as regards copyright and whose practice also covers competition law. However, former practice co-head Daniela Roman Aguinaga  and patents specialist Ernesto Guarderas  left in March and September 2022, respectively, to pursue their own projects.

Practice head(s):

Juan Esteban Ponce; Manuel Fernández de Córdoba


Work highlights


Romero Corral Abogados

Boutique firm Romero Corral Abogados is recognised for its trade mark and patents expertise, advising clients in both the public and private sectors on filing cancellation actions and managing IP portfolios. The five-partner leadership team features trade mark expert and associate Nathaly Castillo, copyright and competition specialist Alfredo Corral, litigator Samantha Maldonado and Xavier Gómez, a key point of reference for patent matters. In the unifying and managing of portfolios, the team is retained to carry out trade mark applications as well as searches and resolutions. In April 2023, former managing partner Margarita Romero left the firm.

Practice head(s):

Alfredo Corral; Xavier Gomez; Nathalia Castillo; Samantha Maldonado


Key clients

Brolog


Palcare


Bumeran Holdings


Suol Innovations


Zydus Lifesciences


Cadila Healthcare


Unimarca Agencia De Publicidade


Ficosota Food Ead


Laboratorio Biosano


Anasac International Corporation


Socofar


Medical International Laboratories


Allnatural Sales Ans de Costa Rica


Tresmontes Lucchetti


Gruma


Sociedad Anónima Damm


Work highlights


  • Advised Conair Corporation on its decision to unify its trade mark portfolio in Ecuador, submitting around 200 assignment applications.
  • Advised Femsa Group to complete its portfolio after going under a tender.