The Legal 500 > Europe, Middle East & Africa > Switzerland > Intellectual property

Baker McKenzie is 'ahead of other international IP firms in providing truly robust global portfolio management solutions' and can 'assemble a team appropriate to the individual case'. With a full-service approach, the practice also handles IP transactions and licensing, EU law matters, as well as trade mark, design, copyright and competition-related litigation. A key client for 'open-minded and hands-on rising star' Eva-Maria Strobel is Swarovski, for whom she manages the worldwide trade mark and design filing, clearance and enforcement work. Michael Treis, who delivers 'a top performance and excellent know-how', represents companies such as Apple, Migros and General Electric in trade mark litigation matters.

The fifteen-lawyer team at Homburger 'has an excellent reputation in the market' and impresses with its 'very good business knowledge'. It regularly handles advisory and contentious intellectual property matters for clients in the pharmaceutical and life sciences, telecoms, media, entertainment and technology sectors. Andri Hess represents Illumina in several international biotech patent infringement disputes before the Swiss Federal Patent Court, and successfully defended Nestlé and Nepresso against a patent infringement claim concerning its Dolce Gusto product from Ethical Coffee Company. 'Knowledgeable and reliable litigator' Georg Rauber and Gregor Bühler lead the practice.

Lenz & Staehelin 'responds swiftly and adequately' and houses a team of 'professionals who know what they are talking about'. With a focus on life sciences, consumer products, culture and the public sector, services include strategic IP advice and management, such as patent, trade mark, copyright and design law, as well as unfair-competition matters, IP arbitration and litigation. In recent successful matters, Jürg Simon represented Emmentaler Switzerland against antitrust claims and in an appellation of origin matter in Italy, while Thierry Calame defended Migros against a patent infringement claim concerning coffee capsules manufactured in Switzerland. 'Proactive' counsel Lara Dorigo, who 'provides clear, comprehensive advice', is also recommended.

The 'strong and highly experienced patent litigation group' at Meyerlustenberger Lachenal Ltd (MLL) has 'a good knowledge of the pharmaceutical sector and regulatory requirements' and is perceived as 'approachable, efficient and business-oriented'. The team is best known for its expertise in patent litigation, trade mark and design infringement matters, cases involving EU law, as well as copyright, advertising and brand name aspects. 'Easy-to-work-with and technically strong' Simon Holzer collaborated with 'extremely knowledgeable litigator' Michael Ritscher on the successful representation of Gilead Sciences in all patent disputes related to its Tenofovir patents and supplementary protection certificates. Hilti and AstraZeneca are other clients, which Ritscher acts for in patent disputes. 'Very good lawyers' Guillaume Fournier and Peter Schramm are also noted.

Clients 'appreciate reliable firm' Walder Wyss Ltd's 'commitment, know-how, experience, accuracy and efficient working attitude'. Its focus areas include trade mark and patent litigation, licensing and copyright issues, as well as IP assistance during transactions for the fashion, consumer goods, life sciences, financial and technology sectors. The 'analytic, sharp and to-the-point' Roger Staub represents Darmstadt-based Merck and its subsidiary Merck Switzerland in a trade mark and name rights dispute pertaining to unfair competition against US company Merck & Co, while Markus Frick defends Nestlé against a trade mark cancellation action filed by Abbott. Former managing associate Dirk Spacek joined CMS as a partner in February 2019. Magda Streuli-Youssef  left the firm in 2019.

Bär & Karrer Ltd. is well known for handling IP matters in connection with M&A and capital markets transactions for clients in the technology, life sciences, pharmaceutical and consumer goods industries, while also representing clients in licensing arbitration, patent litigation and rights disputes involving artists and event organisers. Markus Wang acts for a licensor from the sports equipment industry in several injunction proceedings against the licensee concerning the upcoming termination of their relationship.

The multilingual team at BianchiSchwald LLC 'collaborates well internally', 'serves client's needs in the best way' and 'convinces with a practical, thorough and effective approach'. Typical work includes IP enforcement and prosecution, unfair competition matters, transactions and contract advice. 'Analytic, accurate and technically savvy' practice lead Christoph Gasser, who demonstrates 'outstanding knowledge pf IP trends, legal procedures and ongoing processes around the world', successfully represented Navita Schweiz as defendant in a landmark trade mark registration case brought by former supplier Reico Vital Systeme. On the advisory side, he manages Avia International's worldwide trade mark portfolio.

Niederer Kraft Frey AG focuses on strategic and contractual advice regarding brands, trade marks, domain names, licences and designs, as well as the settlement of intellectual property disputes and unfair competition matters. Clients largely stem from the TMT, sports, life sciences and consumer goods sectors. Nicolas Birkhaeuser acts as a regular adviser to Fifa on media and licensing aspects, while Clara-Ann Gordon assisted Pandora with all IP, IT and antitrust questions concerning the roll-out of an online shop in Switzerland.

Pestalozzi's intellectual property department is recommended for its 'deep knowledge, sharp critical thinking, quick turnaround times and trustworthiness'. It is particularly strong in the protection, licensing and commercialisation of regulated products for the pharmaceutical, cosmetics, medical, IT and food industries, involving trade mark, branding and patent advice and litigation, as well as the defence against product liability claims. The team includes lead partner Lorenza Ferrari Hofer, dispute resolution specialist Thomas Legler and Geneva-based contact Michèle Burnier.

The intellectual property department at VISCHER covers protective, strategic, transactional and contentious matters in relation to patents, copyright, designs and trade marks. Christian Wyss assisted Balderton Capital with the IP due diligence in preparation for its investment into Sophia Genetics' $30m financing round, while team lead Stefan Kohler advises Philipp Morris on the agreements required for the technological development of reduced-risk tobacco products. Rolf Der Maur, who combines intellectual property law with IT expertise, is another name to note.

Froriep's range of services include strategic IP work, enforcement and prosecution matters, as well as transactions for various industries. Key partner Nicola Benz assisted Lebara with the negotiation of a brand licence agreement with another telecoms company as licensee, and also advised Procivis on its alleged infringement of a trade mark. Media companies Lehrmittelverlag Zürich and Meltwater News International receive regular strategic trade mark advice. Frédéric Serra left for HOUSE Attorneys in 2018.

Formed in 2018, the 'strong IP practice' at HOUSE ATTORNEYS stands out for its 'excellent technical and procedural knowledge, swift responses and an agile, entrepreneurial approach' to IP enforcement, exploitation, strategy and prosecution. Its client base consists of luxury watch and automotive manufacturers, fashion brands, as well as companies and famous individuals from the media and entertainment sector. In a recent highlight, Frédéric Serra, who has 'a sharp mind' and is a 'dazzling strategist', assists Ferring Pharmaceuticals with the protection of patents and copyrights, as well as the licensing options for an internally developed framework application.

Lausanne-based firm id est avocats sàrl impresses with its 'pragmatic approach and excellent strategic advice, in addition to its thorough legal knowledge of complex data protection aspects in the medical research sector'. It also has niche expertise in open-source matters, as well as experience in technology transfers and licensing agreements. Other key clients come from the entertainment, education and media fields. The 'outstanding, efficient and highly professional' Michel Jaccard reviewed multiple licensing, collaboration and scientific services agreements for the Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, while Juliette Ancelle acted for Intellectual Property Watch in negotiations with Thomson Reuters and West Publishing regarding the licensing of the client's published contents.

Kellerhals Carrard advises on the strategy, implementation, commercialisation and protection of patents, copyrights, trade marks, designs and other types of intellectual property. Zurich-based Daniel Alder  and commercial specialist Stefano Perucchi in Lugano are the key contacts.

The 'responsive, clear and practical' practice at LALIVE has 'excellent capabilities in the field of intellectual property, commercial and contract law', mostly covering contentious trade mark, design, domain name, copyright, patent and unfair competition matters. Another specialism is IT-related work, such as data protection and agreements setting out licences, franchises and outsourcing measures. 'Competent, efficient and dedicated' key counsel Thomas Widmer counts IKKS Group, Better Cotton Initiative, Gendream and Ideogen among his clients.

The enforcement of IP rights, infringement defence, as well as work regarding licensing, outsourcing and software development agreements form the key areas of expertise at dispute resolution powerhouse Nater Dallafior Rechtsanwälte AG. Practice lead Mathis Berger is assisted by senior associates Zoe Honegger and Martin Rauber.

The international IP practice at Python assists with contract and transaction matters, trade mark applications and disputes. The team consists of counsels Felix Locher and Dominique Graz.

Best known for litigation and arbitration regarding intellectual property and licensing, Schellenberg Wittmer Ltd focuses on assisting clients in the pharmaceutical, life sciences, consumer goods and luxury sectors. Philipp Groz is advising on a licence and development agreement related to a phase-one compound for Santhera Pharmaceuticals and is representing a German medical device and pharmaceutical company in a Swiss patent litigation matter. Andrea Mondini joined TIMES Attorneys in 2017.