Bird & Bird‘s IP group is based across Hong Kong, Shanghai, Beijing and Shenzhen, enabling it to advise on complex multi-jurisdictional IP projects and litigations. The team excels in trade mark and copyright matters as well as patent litigation. Life sciences, healthcare, technology, retail, entertainment and sports are all specialised sectors served by the team, which is comprised of dual-qualified lawyers in areas such as engineering, computer science and medicine. Christine Yiu co-leads the unit from Shanghai and focuses on advising clients in cross-border IP disputes related to copyrights, invention patents, trade marks and designs. Meanwhile, IP specialist Hank Leung co-leads from Hong Kong. Dorie Wong is based in Beijing and is key to advising on brand protection strategy and trade mark portfolio management.
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Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Bird & Bird has a composite IP team that can handle all types of IP litigation, which is extremely rare among foreign firms. The team has been continuously expanding its high-level talents in patent business in recent years and is now able to compete with first-class in-house firms. The firm's Asia-Pacific and European teams work closely together and have excellent coordination capabilities in large-scale cross-border litigation.'
‘Matthew Laight, as the core partner of the team, is our most reliable partner as always. Christine Yiu is already an international partner with rich experience in domestic IP litigation. Emma Ren is a rising star in the team and we are very happy to cooperate with her.'
‘A strong combination of China/HK litigation management experience/talent and a detailed understanding of long-term strategic implications for the client beyond the case at hand. The team is very proactive and always well prepared which great increases their efficiency and effectiveness.’
‘Matthew Laight and Christine Yiu are two experienced partners who combine excellent attention to case detail with the strategic outlook required to successfully manage global litigation with complication cross-jurisdiction implications. Emma Ren is an excellent junior associate showing a proactive approach unusual at her level. She will go far.’
Key clients
- VMI Holland B.V.
- Merck KGaA
- Tam Jai International Co. Ltd.
- Li & Fung Group – Toys“R”Us (Asia) Limited
- H World Holdings Singapore Pte. Ltd.
- Fitson Singapore Pte Ltd
- Razer (Asia-Pacific) Pte. Ltd.
- Oaktree Group
- Helen of Troy
- Shenzhen Reolink Technology Co., Ltd.
Work highlights
- Assisted VMI Holland B.V. as legal counsel with three patent ownership disputes in a landmark decision made by the Supreme People’s Court.
- Assisted Merck KGaA with a long-standing trade mark, unfair competition and breach of contract litigation between the client and Merck Sharpe & Dohme.
- Assisted Hegen with trade mark registrations for their main brand in China on their pipeline products in various classes, most of which have been approved for registration.
Lawyers
Hall of fame
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Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Next generation partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Practice head
Christine Yiu; Hank Leung
Other key lawyers
Matthew Laight; Emma Ren; Rieko Michishita; Dorie Wong