The Legal 500 > Asia Pacific > Thailand > Intellectual property

Ananda Intellectual Property's specialist IP practice is rated for its 'professional and highly efficient team', which has wide-ranging expertise in IP litigation and commercial transactions. Managing partner Franck Fougere's areas of focus include patent and copyright litigation as well as trade mark strategy. Fougere represented L'Oreal in a major raid on fake cosmetics distributors in Thailand, where 600,000 fake items seized, valued at roughly $2.3m. Also recommended are Benjapol Kongsombut, who runs the firm's patent department, and Nuttakorn Sorakun, who heads the litigation department and acted for Hutchinson in invalidating three patents asserted by Nitto Denko; this case was among the most significant patent disputes ever filed in Thailand. Another name to note is Rujapa Prakongsri, who has experience of trade mark prosecution.

Baker McKenzie is involved in a broad range of trade mark, copyright, and patent-related work, including portfolio management, registrations, commercial transactions and litigation. The team is jointly headed by Say Sujintaya and Dhiraphol Suwanprateep and includes Tanakrit Tangburanakij , who has established a well-known infringement and anti-counterfeiting practice, working with customs officials and other law enforcement agencies, and Nont Horayangura, who has handled a variety of IP litigation in the tech and telecoms space. Rising star senior associate Praewpan  Hinchiranan has been recognised for her brand enforcement practice.

Tilleke & Gibbins' practice group advises across the spectrum of IP law, from regulation to commercialisation and management to litigation and enforcement. In particular, the team is most active in the tech, film and media sectors. The department is jointly led by Darani  Vachanavuttivong and Alan Adcock. Vachanavuttivong advises Sundaram-Clayton on its global strategies for its varied IP portfolio, while Adcock, who focuses on patent work, has particular expertise in the agrochemical and pharmaceutical sectors. Also recommended are Nandana Indananda, who specialises in IP litigation, Sukontip Jitmongkolthong, who handles pre-litigation and enforcement matters and is particularly active in the automotive and electronics sectors, and Somboon Earterasarun, who also has experience in trade mark enforcement.

Dej-Udom & Associates Attorneys-at-Law acts for Thai and international companies in contentious and non-contentious IP matters involving trade secrets, domain names, patents, trade marks, and copyrights. Key figures in the team include managing partner Dej-Udom Krairit, Dr Poondej Krairit, who leads the IP department and has expertise in patent and trade mark matters, and Punjaporn Koslkitiwong, who heads the IP litigation practice. Budsayamas Pooreesathian works on patent and trade mark prosecution as well as infringement matters.

Domnern Somgiat & Boonma Law Office Ltd is particularly noted for IP litigation and enforcement matters, and also advises on a significant portion of trade mark and patent applications made in Thailand. Managing partner Rutorn Nopakun specialises in IP litigation, and Nathapong Tongkaew heads the trade mark prosecution practice. Other names to note include Chakrapat Mongkolsit, Prabjote Busdee and Apiwatt Kongsoowan.

LawPlus Ltd.'s IP team handles IP litigation, licensing, and filing matters primarily involving trade marks, though the team also has experience of patent mandates. Managing partner Kowit Somwaiya has a 'wide range of knowledge on intellectual property matters', and is particularly highly regarded for his trade mark work. Prasantaya Bantadtan has acted for clients in the telecoms, automotive and healthcare sectors in relation to trade mark registration and enforcement matters. Raweewan Somwaiya focuses on non-contentious IP work including portfolio management and trade mark registrations and renewals.

Satyapon & Partners Limited enjoys a strong reputation in the Thai IP market. On the contentious side the firm is adept at IP litigation, while on the non-contentious side the firm advises on a variety of commercial agreements and also handles prosecution work. Key figures include managing partner Satyapon Sachdecha, Sukhprem Sachdecha, who heads the patents and litigation team, Kritsana Mingtongkhum, who leads the trade mark practice, and head of copyright and design Kritchawat Chainapasak.