Intellectual Property Disputes
Allen & Overy is well known for its precedent-setting intellectual property disputes advice. We represent clients worldwide, at the highest level, in the many different courts and tribunals key to IP matters.
A&O’s global IP team understands how to exploit the procedural and tactical possibilities that different forums offer, coordinating regional and global litigation and settlement strategies to achieve the right business outcomes for clients.
A firm technical understanding of underlying IP assets is crucial. Many of our team members have technical backgrounds and industry experience to advise with confidence in cases involving the most complex science and technology.
Antitrust issues and arbitration considerations are also increasingly important in IP disputes: we work with our top-tier antitrust and arbitration practices to deliver a seamless service.
Our multi-jurisdictional litigation experience covers all areas of IP, including:
- Major patent litigation, including in the life sciences and technology sectors
- Trade mark litigation at all levels
- Trade secrets litigation, particularly in the finance and telecoms fields
- Design and copyright litigation, often with an emphasis on digital rights
Explore our services
Our experience
Regeneron
on its European patent strategy for proprietary transgenic mouse technology (marketed as VelocImmune®) – the largest mammalian genetic engineering project ever completed.
Archos
in a multinational patent dispute concerning both standard essential patents and implementation patents relating to mobiles.
McDonald’s
on a claim in relation to the McDonald’s “I’m Lovin’ It” jingle, song and trade mark where we advised three McDonald’s companies, as well as EMI, Pharrell Williams and Sony.
Intel
in litigation relating to its flagship Intel and Intel Inside trade marks (resulting in a number of changes in corporate names and trade names of third parties).
Meet our lawyers
News and insights
Publications: 22 September 2023
The IP Arbitration Podcast Episode 4: IP arbitrations in Asia
According to WIPO (the World Intellectual Property Organization), Asia accounted for two-thirds of the total IP filing activity for patents, trademarks and industrial designs worldwide, and almost the…
Publications: 22 September 2023
The IP Arbitration Podcast Episode 3: Ever heard of Baseball arbitration?
Baseball arbitrations: what they are, who uses them and why they’re beneficial. Many businesses will not have considered or heard of baseball arbitration as a form of dispute resolution.
Publications: 08 September 2023
The IP Arbitration Podcast Episode 2: How well suited is Arbitration to resolving IP disputes?
How well suited is arbitration to resolving IP disputes? We and the market have seen a growing trend in parties choosing arbitration to resolve IP disputes.
Publications: 08 September 2023
The IP Arbitration Podcast Episode 1: Arbitration in a nutshell
Have you settled on your choice of dispute resolution? Many companies around the world use arbitration as an alternative dispute resolution method, whilst some are not as familiar.
Recognition of our work
The firm offers a streamlined service across major European and Asian jurisdictions.
WTR 1000 International 2020
Seamless cross-border cooperation, outstanding efficiency and consistent quality… Allen & Overy’s litigation offering is collegiate, creative and pragmatic, ready to either attack aggressively or to settle favourably – whatever makes most commercial sense for the client.
IAM Patent 1000 2019
Clients report that the firm provides good international service by co-ordinating all cross-border aspects seamlessly.
Chambers Europe-wide 2020 Intellectual Property
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