Bird & Bird‘s China and Hong Kong IP group acts for some of the world’s leading brand names, while also assisting small and medium businesses protect their IP assets. The team’s specialisms cover trade marks, patents, trade secrets, copyright and designs, and it has a strong reputation for both strategic commercial IP advice and IP litigation. The firm is also well known for its industry expertise, particularly in technology and innovation-driven sectors such as life sciences and healthcare, retail and consumer, and media, entertainment and sports (including e-gaming). Matthew Laight heads the Asia-Pacific IP group from Hong Kong, where Hank Leung assists with brand and product design protection, enforcement and monetisation matters. Also in Hong Kong, APAC life sciences and healthcare leader, Alison Wong, specialises in multi-jurisdictional IP litigation; and Victor Tse is a 2021-promoted IP consultant. Christine Yiu is the key IP partner in Shanghai.

Long-established Hong Kong law firm Deacons works for several of the world’s best-known brands on both their trade mark portfolios and complex prosecutions. It also houses a dedicated patent team, comprising patent attorneys who are qualified in Australia, China, Europe and UK. Another strength is IP litigation, while sector strengths for the group include consumer goods, financial services, TMT, life sciences, luxury goods, hospitality, entertainment, and electrical, electronic and mechanical manufacturing. The IP department is co-led by court litigation specialist Charmaine Koo, and Annie Tsoi, who also heads the China IP practice group. Also integral to the team are trade mark portfolio protection expert Patsy Lau; Jeffrey McLean, who is experienced in the technical and patent aspects of contentious matters; and Hong Kong and New Zealand-qualified Kelley Loo. Emmy Chow is a partner as of January 2022, while Theresa Luk and Eliza Siew are the senior associates to note.

Mayer Brown‘s IP team is active in several sectors, such as financial services, construction, manufacturing, retail, luxury and fashion. It also houses industry specialists in real estate, hospitality and TMT. The group handles hundreds of IP disputes each year, including company hijacking cases and complex IP litigation and arbitration, many of which involve insolvency issues and cross-border elements. It additionally advises global brands on strategies for the enforcement of their rights, including customs seizures, administrative actions and litigation through the courts. Co-leader of the firm’s global IP practice, Gabriela Kennedy, is sought out by technology start-ups, media companies and universities to advise on their IP policies, IP sharing platforms and establishment of R&D centres. Also integral to the Hong Kong office, Amita Haylock‘s track record includes high-profile copyright and patent infringement proceedings involving software and electronics. At counsel level, Michelle Yee is Asia brand management head.

Clifford Chance‘s Greater China and Asia-Pacific IP group comprises IP specialists and commercial lawyers from the firm’s corporate and litigation teams. The team is consistently instructed on a broad array of IP matters, including the IP aspects of clients’ business-critical projects, along with technology adoption, transactions, disputes, and day-to-day support. Contentious and non-contentious IP specialist Ling Ho heads the IP group in Asia from Hong Kong, which features Thomas Walsh, who acts in cases with substantial IP elements, and experienced senior associates Iris Mok and Dianna Shao. In Shanghai, Lei Shi specialises in IP work, particularly PRC-related matters.

With ‘deep expertise in IP law globally‘, DLA Piper’s Hong Kong practice is particularly active in trade mark work, covering advisory matters, strategy, licensing, transactions (including franchising), and prosecution, litigation and enforcement issues. It also acts in relation to patents, domain names and trade secrets. Brand protection and enforcement specialist Edward Chatterton, who ‘gives clear and commercial advice‘, leads the Hong Kong IP team. At of counsel level, Elizabeth Wong heads the Hong Kong trade mark prosecution group, while IP litigator Chris Liu, whose career encompasses both US and international experience, is a February 2022 recruit from Jones Day.

Jones Day‘s China offering spans IP prosecution, litigation and transactions in Europe, US and Asia-Pacific. The firm has notable technology and life sciences sector credentials, as well as its own domestic IP agency in mainland China, which eliminates the need for local agents. Dividing his time between Hong Kong and Beijing, Haifeng Huang‘s practice covers disputes and transactions involving patents, trade marks, copyrights, trade secrets and technology licenses. In Shanghai, Tony Chen is experienced in China-related cross-border IP matters, while Guoping Da acts in IP enforcement and infringement actions. Former partner Chiang Ling Li recently joined Tiang & Partners.

Norton Rose Fulbright‘s Greater China team is consistently sought out by major Asia-Pacific and global companies to advise on IP rights. Its specialisms cover the registration of patents, trade marks and designs, along with IP-related licensing, use and enforcement work. It also litigates IP classes before Hong Kong and China’s courts and tribunals. Team leader and IP law expert Justin Davidson regularly advises on the protection and exploitation of IP portfolios, and is increasingly active in relation to patent litigation. At associate level, Stanley Ng’s practice covers patents, design rights, copyright, confidential information, trade marks and domain names.

Working from both Hong Kong and Beijing, Wilkinson & Grist‘s sizeable IP practice group comprises Hong Kong lawyers and PRC legal counsels, along with patent and trade mark agents. The team’s service offering includes IP protection and enforcement matters, whether through administrative actions or court proceedings; and advising on IP strategy and the exploitation of different rights. It also assists with domain name registrations/disputes, actions against cyber squatters, and internet-related infringements. IP head Andrea Fong focuses on IP portfolio management and strategy, and the exploitation and enforcement of IP rights. Mena Lo and Annie Tsoi also have longstanding IP practices.

Dorsey & Whitney‘s ‘strong‘ IP practice fields experts in trade marks, copyright, advertising, patents, and trade secrets. Head of the firm’s Greater China IP group, Janet Wong, is a specialist in brand protection strategies, trade mark portfolios and IP-related transactions, including the acquisition, franchising and licensing of IP rights. Also a a key member of the IP team, Lilian Shi is experienced in trade mark prosecution, anti-counterfeiting and contentious IP matters. Both Wong and Shi ‘do an excellent job‘.

Hogan Lovells‘ Hong Kong-based IP, media and technology practice is headed up by Eugene Low, who is particularly focused on IP and data privacy work. Low also assists clients with the registration, enforcement and commercialisation of IP assets. Providing key support is counsel and IP litigator Andrew Cobden; and at senior associate level, PJ Kaur assists with strategic brand protection, as well as trade mark portfolio management, enforcement and litigation.

SIPS – Simone Intellectual Property Services‘ IP practice is highly experienced in the registration, enforcement and licensing of IP rights. The Hong Kong practice is headed by Helen Tang, who also handles PRC and regional matters; managing partner Dan Plane focuses on PRC work, but additionally assists with regional anti-counterfeiting and enforcement issues; and founding partner Joe Simone advises exclusively on PRC matters, while retaining overall strategic responsibility for certain clients’ Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan-related IP matters.

Eversheds Sutherland‘s IP practice spans advisory, prosecution, litigation and transactional work. Asia IP head and IP strategist Cedric Lam (at Dorsey & Whitney until 2018) has particular expertise in IP-related deals and dispute resolution. He also routinely advises on the IP aspects of life sciences, along with patents and franchise issues.

In addition to its assistance with registrations and enforcements, Gallant‘s practice covers negotiations, audits, and the due diligence for M&A deals and IPOs. Former partner Rebecca Lo, who has extensive IP experience, is a consultant as of March 2022, while Emily Chick is the firm’s litigation and dispute resolution head.

In 2021, Lewis Silkin recruited trade mark, design and copyright infringement expert Jezamine Fewins, from Stephenson Harwood to head up its Hong Kong and Asia-Pacific IP practice, which advises multinationals on IP and commercial IP issues.