Intellectual Property
Our cross-border intellectual property team supports the world’s leading businesses to invest in and protect global intellectual property portfolios.
With over 160 specialist partners and associates worldwide, A&O offers an integrated, cross-border service to help clients dealing with the opportunities and threats brought by globalisation and technology.
Many of our IP lawyers come from science, technology or engineering backgrounds and have a deep understanding of the sectors in which our clients operate. This is combined with our leading antitrust, arbitration, employment and regulatory experience, and one of the largest international networks of any law firm.
Explore our services
Meet our lawyers
Our experience
James Bond
on UK and EU trade mark work, including clearance, filing, prosecution and disputes.
A global pharmaceutical and healthcare company
in multi-jurisdictional patent revocation and infringement proceedings against Ceva Santé Animale. This is in relation to a global pharmaceutical and healthcare company's patent for a veterinary product for the treatment of coccidiosis and anaemia for farm animals, specifically piglets.
A multinational technology corporation
in relation to Conversant’s claim for a declaration that it has offered fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory (FRAND) terms in respect of its standard essential patent (SEP) portfolio.
Nexon
on a worldwide IP enforcement campaign against infringers who offered and played infringing versions of Nexon’s games on free servers.
A global healthcare company
Kharis Capital
on a master agreement by which Burger King grants Kharis Capital the exclusive right to introduce Burger King restaurants in Belgium and Luxembourg.
News and insights
Publications: 10 January 2023
The key to unlocking a successful trade secrets strategy
Having the right procedures in place can avert breaches of sensitive information—and be crucial in case of emergencies.
Publications: 09 December 2022
Digital assets will remain in demand – despite the crypto winter
Recent troubles in the crypto markets are unlikely to see deal-making curtailed. Instead, digital assets, Web3 and Metaverse targets will continue to be sought after as non-tech players look to open…
Publications: 07 December 2022
IP rights in football: Avoiding an own-goal
As the 2022 World Cup final approaches, we explore the importance of IP rights in the beautiful game, as well as some potential "fouls" that clubs, footballers and even fans need to avoid.
Blog Post: 25 October 2022
Arbitration in Life Sciences Disputes: a View from New York
Life science companies are increasingly turning to international arbitration as a preferred dispute-resolution mechanism due to its confidentiality, comparative cost-effectiveness, and nearly…
Partnerships
IP Inclusive Charter
Allen & Overy has signed up to the IP Inclusive Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Charter, joining a growing number businesses in a collective effort to promote a more diverse and inclusive sector, and to equal opportunities for all who work in it.
Read moreRecognition
A top-end practice that, when the need arises, benefits from the in-house support of a worldwide full-service legal firm.
Legal 500 2020 Intellectual Property
Allen & Overy is unquestionably one of the best commercial law firms worldwide and is excellent in the field of patent litigation. With its vast experience in the practice, it can go to war and emerge victorious.
IAM Patent 1000 2020
They have outstandingly short reaction times, the solution is always presented in a way that I can directly forward it on, so irrespective of whether they are writing to me or a different department, it can be understood; it doesn't need to be translated for non-lawyers.
Chambers Europe-wide 2020 Intellectual Property
Related content
Intellectual property brochure
Digital maturity
Life Sciences Hub
A&O Digital Hub