Porzio Ríos García's 12-strong department includes lawyers, scientists and technology specialists, many of whom are former Chilean Patent Office examiners. The practice has significant experience in the prosecution and litigation of IP rights - including patents, trade marks, utility models, industrial designs, copyright and domain names. It also handles advertising, plant varieties, anti-counterfeiting actions, data protection, and contract drafting and negotiation. The team further assists with protecting new technologies, artificial intelligence, prior art searches, patent applications in Chile and abroad, and rights-related enforcement and litigation; it is additionally experienced in IP-related areas, such as franchising, distribution and free competition, as well as technology transfers, and food and entertainment law. Patent department head Cristóbal Porzio focuses on both advisory work and litigation, in relation to trade marks, patents, technology transfers and copyright; Marcelo Correa's practice encompasses commercial brands, patents, technology transfers, copyright and industrial property-related contracts; and Antonio Varas is the current secretary of the Chilean Association of Intellectual Property (ACHIPI)’s board. The next line of key advisers includes trade mark, copyright and domain name specialist Bernardita Torres; and associate Mercedes Valdivieso, who leads the firm’s vegetal variety applications, as well as its relations with Chile’s Agricultural and Livestock Service. Founding partners Marino Porzio and Hernán Ríos both retired from the firm in December 2024.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- ‘Knowledge of the sector and extensive experience.’
- ‘Excellent legal analysis and practical advice that are given on a timely basis.’
- ‘They understand what multinational clients need in terms of service.’
Key clients
- Rendic Hermanos
- Compañía de Petróleos de Chile Copec
- Blackrock Finance
- Puig
- Banco Itaú
- PriceSmart
- Huawei Technologies Co
- Honor Device Co
- Mastercard International
- Wilhelmsen Ships Service
- Natura Cosméticos
- Polenghi Industrias Alimenticias
Work highlights
Assisted BHP Chile with a mining-related patent application.
Assisted Rendic Hermanos with a music-related copyright matter.
Assisted Seche Environnement with a trade mark prosecution.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Cristóbal Porzio
Antonio Varas
Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Mercedes Valdivieso
Practice head
Cristóbal Porzio