Department profile
August Debouzy

Intellectual Property: Patents

Global Guide 2026 : France


August Debouzy

Rankings

About

Provided by August Debouzy

Headed by well-recognized IP specialists, Grégoire Desrousseaux, François Pochart and Lionel Martin, August Debouzy’s IP team provides a complete range of legal services, including litigation, both at the national and European levels, and strategic advice aimed at valuing, protecting and transferring IP rights (licensing and freedom-to-operate opinions, patent prosecution before the EPO, IT contracts, transfers of know-how and technology and optimizing trademark portfolios). The IP team frequently leads the way to shaping first-of-a-kind solutions to complex intellectual property issues and disputes, and help their clients in finding creative solutions to reach out of court settlements that often allow them to avoid lengthy and costly litigation proceedings.

August Debouzy is one of the only firms in the French market that can provide in one and only team, such a high level of technical understanding and the capabilities to act in litigation. Over 50% of the IP team’s work includes patent litigation before courts in France (infringement, nullity actions, compensation for employees’ invention and appeals against the decisions of the French Patent Office), before the EPO (opposition) and the Unified Patent Court (UPC).

The IP lawyers regularly team up with the firm’s tax, corporate, employment and competition law teams (the latter notably on FRAND issues in the telecom area).

Industries (17)

  • Aerospace & Defense
  • Automobile
  • Chemicals
  • Construction & materials
  • Energy
  • Food & Drink producers
  • Health care
  • Industrial engineering
  • Media
  • Pharmaceuticals & Life Sciences
  • Retail
  • Software
  • Sports
  • Technology, Hardware & Electronics
  • Telecommunications
  • Transportation
  • Travel & Leisure

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Intellectual Property: Patents - France


What the Team is Known For

August Debouzy's exceptional team advises on all aspects of IP cases. The department has notable expertise in patent issues before the French courts and the European Patent Office, in addition to experience assisting with trade secret cases. The law firm acts in infringement and nullity proceedings as well as patent prosecution and FRAND disputes. The team is instructed by an array of international names from the pharmaceutical, telecommunications, automotive and technology industries. The firm is also equipped to handle trade mark and copyright matters, such as parasitism, unfair competition and registrations.

Work Highlights

Provided by Chambers

  • August Debouzy represented Hewlett-Packard in an infringement action before the UPC against Lama France.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • August Debouzy is truly endowed with cutting-edge expertise. It was able to support us with great strategic intelligence, perfectly understanding the issues and their evolution.

    Intellectual Property: Patents respondentGlobal
  • August Debouzy has extensive experience and a good network. The team is very competent and has precision and rigour. The lawyers are very attentive to the customer and respect the client's choices.

    Intellectual Property: Patents respondentGlobal
  • August Debouzy is an outstanding patent litigation firm. The lawyers have incredible attention to detail and are very practical. They are also very nice to work with.

    Intellectual Property: Patents respondentGlobal
  • August Debouzy's patent team has tremendous legal and technical expertise, as well as a great ability to develop a reasoned and coherent strategy.

    Intellectual Property: Patents respondentGlobal
  • August Debouzy has a global approach while staying close to the expectations and needs of the customer. It has a large team with varied skills.

    Intellectual Property: Patents respondentGlobal

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Band 1François Pochart
    Band 1François Pochart

    François Pochart

    François Pochart is highly active on a range of patent-related matters, including nullity proceedings, trade secrets and opposition and infringement disputes. He is also well placed to handle international cases and has experience representing clients before the European Patent Office.

    • François Pochart is very creative and smart. He is someone that's got presence. I have seen him capture an audience in court. He quickly adapts his strategies.

      Intellectual Property: Patents respondentGlobal
    • He has an exceptional understanding of the company's technical issues.

      Intellectual Property: Patents respondentGlobal
    • François Pochart cultivates a relationship of strong trust with his clients. He is an outstanding expert, accessible, very humble and he knows how to surround himself with a team in his image.

      Intellectual Property: Patents respondentGlobal
  • Band 1Grégoire Desrousseaux
    Band 1Grégoire Desrousseaux

    Grégoire Desrousseaux

    Grégoire Desrousseaux draws from a wealth of experience and represents clients in complex patent infringement cases, nullity actions and opposition proceedings. He routinely handles cross-border and domestic mandates for clients in the telecommunications, medtech and automotive sectors.

    • I would highlight his expertise, responsiveness and knowledge of the cases.

      Intellectual Property: Patents respondentGlobal
    • Grégoire Desrousseaux knows patent litigation inside out.

      Intellectual Property: Patents respondentGlobal
    • Grégoire Desrousseaux is one of the best lawyers and technical experts I have worked with. He is a very knowledgeable and gifted individual who is both approachable and attentive.

      Intellectual Property: Patents respondentGlobal
  • Up and ComingLionel Martin
    Up and ComingLionel Martin

    Lionel Martin

    Lionel Martin advises on patent litigation, including FRAND disputes. He represents domestic and international clients in French courts.

Ranked Individuals at August Debouzy (3)

France

Members

Provided by August Debouzy

August Debouzy has rankings in the following guides

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