Intellectual Property | Global

Bird & Bird is known for its highly skilled practitioners who handle a wide range of patent litigation for market-leading innovators, with additional capabilities in copyright and data rights. The team is recommended for licence agreements of all kinds, and trade mark and designs prosecution. In addition, the team is noted for deep reserves of hi-tech and life sciences expertise, and its offering of a bespoke in-house patent valuation tool.

"The IP team at Allen & Overy is Rolls-Royce. They are exceptionally well resourced, and very competent from partners to associates. And with their extremely good international offices, they are absolutely set up for litigation with international aspects."

CMS provides a comprehensive IP service capable of handling any dispute, transaction or prosecution strategy. The team is celebrated for hi-tech and digital expertise, with important resources devoted to life sciences clients. CMS is also one of very few firms with in-house patent attorneys.

Hogan Lovells is recognised for its full-service offering capable of marshalling resources in every conceivable area of IP law and scientific discipline. The team is capable of coordinating the most complex international disputes, licensing strategies and IP-rich corporate transactions, and has become a leading destination for heavyweight telecommunications and life sciences patent litigation. Members of the IP team also advise household-name brands on all aspects of trade mark law.

Baker McKenzie stands out for its international presence and management of global trade mark portfolios. Its team is often called on to handle complex IP-driven joint ventures, acquisitions and disposals, and is highly experienced with regard to licensing agreements. The Baker McKenzie IP department houses additional expertise in patent protection and patent infringement disputes across a wide range of technical disciplines.

Linklaters is acclaimed for advising on complex IP-driven corporate and commercial transactions. The team demonstrates extensive experience in cross-border patent litigation as well as copyright and trade mark disputes. It has also been called upon to act for market leaders in life sciences, telecommunications and financial services.

Pinsent Masons' IP team is a full-service IP practice with a powerful patent litigation offering, and is particularly noted for generic pharmaceutical cases. The team is recommended for commercial and contentious matters concerning copyright, trade marks, database rights and designs. Further, Pinsent Masons has the resources and know-how to handle the weightiest IP-led corporate transactions.

DLA Piper offers a comprehensive IP service at the centre of a truly global platform. The IP team is acclaimed for its excellent handling of litigation concerned with all core rights, as well as licensing and IP-rich corporate transactions. The team also advises clients on the protection and commercialisation of their proprietary data and on questions of third-party data use. Members of the team also assist with international trade mark registration efforts.

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer is a magic circle firm with the corporate and commercial power to lead on the weightiest, most sophisticated IP-rich transactions. Its clients include global giants in the fields of finance, life sciences, telecommunications, media and hi-tech. The team has additional strength in patent litigation, particularly disputes concerning medical devices and pharmaceuticals.

Reed Smith has deep sector knowledge of media, life sciences and luxury brands. The team is strong on copyright and trade mark disputes and also technology licensing. The IP practice is also recommended for anti-counterfeiting campaigns and litigation involving digital platforms and internet service providers, with additional expertise in patent litigation.

Stephenson Harwood acts for market-leading brands in financial services, energy, fashion, life sciences and luxury goods. The practice is rated for its powerful trade mark litigation offering and recommended for licence agreements involving all core rights. The team is regularly instructed to assist with the coordination of IP disputes with parallel proceedings in multiple jurisdictions, and is acclaimed as a leading destination for anti-counterfeiting and passing-off disputes.