Intellectual property in Switzerland

Homburger

Demonstrating significant prowess across the life sciences, TMT and energy sectors, among others, the ‘exceptional’ and ‘strategic’ Homburger is a tour-de-force in the technical IP sphere, frequently covering issues such as electronics, machinery and software engineering for its diverse multitude of global scale clients. Gregor Bühler heads up the firm’s offering, with a diverse arsenal of skills that extends across trade mark enforcement, licensing agreements and IP disputes. Andri Hess is highly active on the disputes and contractual side of the IP arena, while seasoned practitioner Georg Rauber maintains an established presence in relation to patent, copyright and trade mark disputes. Another name to note is Luca Dal Molin, who frequently handles matters pertaining to software, telecoms and copyright disputes, among other complex matters.

Practice head(s):

Gregor Bühler


Other key lawyers:

Andri Hess; Georg Rauber; Luca Dal Molin; Julian Schwaller; Philippe Baumann; Angelika Murer


Testimonials

‘They demonstrate knowledge and experience.’

‘The Homburger IP team stands out for efficiency and strong client relationship building.’

‘Good advice on a strategic approach.’

‘Both Luca Dal Molin and Philippe Baumann were very valuable advisors. Luca has extensive experience in partnership deals and is capable of proactively setting out several strategic routes together with the client.’

‘Strong team.’

‘Exceptional trademark and name rights experts, demonstrating deep legal knowledge and a strategic approach to protecting our brand.’

‘Their attention to detail and ability to navigate complex legal challenges made them a valuable asset to our case.’

‘Gregor Bühler stands out for his unwavering commitment. He consistently provided timely updates, was always available to address our concerns, and demonstrated a strong dedication to ensuring the best possible outcomes for our business.’

Key clients

Lotus Bakeries


ABB


Cadence Design Systems


H.Lüdi + Co


Google


Nestlé


Nespresso


Sanofi Aventis


Hyundai


Illumina


Zur Rose Group


Siegfried


Work highlights


  • Advised Lotus Bakeries on IP related cross-border matters in a strategic partnership with Mondelēz International to expand and grow the Lotus Biscoff® cookie brand.
  • Advised ABB on IP related matters in its acquisition of Sevensense Robotics.
  • Represented H.Lüdi in a patent infringement action against Wobatech.

Lenz & Staehelin

Noted for its ‘creative and proactive’ capabilities, Lenz & Staehelin excels across the full gamut of IP mandates, with extensive expertise in representing blue-chip clients in complex patent litigation alongside stellar work in relation to trade mark and design work. Four key players spearhead the group: Thierry Calame, who is a force to be reckoned with in relation to patents and IP related arbitration; Jürg Simon, who leverages his extensive experience in the field to advise on multi-faceted trade mark, design and licensing matters; Peter Ling, a noted practitioner on the litigation and licensing side, recently excelling in the telecoms industry; and lastly Sevan Antreasyan, who enjoys an established presence in the IT, biotech and medtech industries. Martin Aebi and Barbara Abegg further enhance the firm’s capabilities in the contentious IP sphere.

Practice head(s):

Thierry Calame; Jürg Simon; Peter Ling; Sevan Antreasyan


Other key lawyers:

Martin Aebi; Barbara Abegg


Testimonials

‘The team is efficient. Good clear communication giving solid commercial advice.’

‘Peter Ling is super helpful and commercial. He is a pleasure to work with on IP disputes.’

‘Jürg Simon is the leading trademark practitioner in trademark law in Switzerland. His advice is clear, concise and leaves no open questions.’

‘The team is very responsive and co-operative. Work is done on a high level.’

‘Can do attitude, efficient and very pragmatic. Clear understanding of the profile of the client. Always a pleasure, and I also feel valued as a client.’

‘They have been very creative and proactive in proposing alternative strategies, showing great understanding of the in-house context.’

‘All of the team members are experts in their fields. Nevertheless, they have a comprehensive view of their cases and aim at finding solutions that are best for the business of their clients.’

‘I enjoy working with Thierry Calame and Barbara Abegg. They are top-notch professionals and know how to communicate complex matters in way that it is readily understood by their clients.’

Key clients

Abbott


AbbVie Inc.


Accord


Acino International AG


Actavis / Mepha


Apple Inc.


Asceneuron


Aura Blockchain Consortium


Bosch


Breguet


Cembra Money Bank AG


Champagne producers association, CIVC


Consorzio Prosecco


Consorzio Aceto Balsamico


Crocs


CYP Association


Mercedes Benz Group AG, (formerly Daimler AG)


Diageo


Dyson


European Broadcasting Union (EBU)


Emmentaler Switzerland


C&E Fein


Federation of the Swiss Electro/Telco Industry


Ferring


FIVE Hotels


Gustavo Gusto


International Olympic Committee


Henkel & Co


Harry Winston


Mars


Merck & Co., Inc. (MSD)


Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer


MGI Tech Ltd.


MSC Cruises


ON Holding AG


Pack Easy


Prada


Pfizer Inc.


Raclette Suisse


Schöck Bauteile AG


Swatch Group


Swiss Government, Armasuisse


Swiss Sustainable Yachts AG


Swiss Salt Works AG


Tamedia


Teva Pharma AG


Vinci Construction Terrassement


Wyss Center for Bio and Neuro Engineering


Work highlights


  • Represented Apple Inc. before the Federal Patent Court and the Federal Supreme Court in a patent litigation initiated by a non-practicing entity, related to information transmission technology, with a successful result.
  • Represented MSD before the Federal Patent Court in an SPC infringement case, resulting in an ex parte injunction regarding the sale of a generic fixed-dose combination of sitagliptin and metformin which was later confirmed by a panel of three judges.
  • Advised the Wyss Center for Bio and Neuro Engineering on all areas of law to support its activities, but also those of the startups hosted at the Centre.

MLL Legal

The ‘outstanding’ MLL Legal, praised for its ‘very client oriented and reliable approach’, has an impressive workload that spans patent, trade mark and design litigation, as well as challenging pharma and medtech matters. The practice is jointly led by ‘consummate IP lawyer’ Michael Ritscher, who possesses a strong grounding in international patent and trade mark disputes as well as IP commercialisation; Simon Holzer, a prominent practitioner on the life sciences side; and Peter Schramm. Ulrike Ciesla fuses her pharma and litigation capabilities to bolster the team’s patent offering, and Louisa Galbraith is accomplished in managing 3D trade mark and non-conventional trade mark issues.

Practice head(s):

Michael Ritscher; Simon Holzer; Peter Schramm


Other key lawyers:

Ulrike Ciesla; Louisa Galbraith; Kilian Schärli; Andrea Schäffler


Testimonials

‘Extensive expertise and a pragmatic approach to finding solutions in the interests of the client.’

‘Exceptional advice on tricky trade mark questions.’

‘Peter Schramm possesses a deep understanding of Swiss and European trademark law and, with his extensive experience and deep knowledge, always made me feel that I was in the best hands. He not only explained the legal aspects clearly but also provided strategic recommendations to reach our goals that proved to be extremely valuable.’

‘Our work with MLL Legal in IP law has been outstanding. They have expertise in Swiss and European IP matters.’

‘I highly recommend Kilian Schärli for his outstanding expertise and meticulous attention to detail in handling patent matters especially within the life sciences sector.’

‘Michael Ritscher is a consummate IP lawyer with huge experience and firsthand knowledge of all relevant IP persons in Switzerland. Kilian Schärli is sharp but a very kind advocate. Ulrike Ciesla is a fantastic European patent attorney, particularly in the chemical space.’

‘MLL is a well-oiled machine, having tried, tested and litigated many of the leading patent cases in Switzerland across many fields, including in life sciences. They are hugely experienced and great collaborators. They really listen to different points, angles and perspectives and incorporate them into the overall strategy and legal brief.’

‘Very client oriented and reliable approach. Always looking for solutions instead of pointing out difficulties.’

Key clients

Adecco Group AG


AstraZeneca


Axapharm AG


Bayer Pharma AG


Baxter Ltd


Becton Dicinson Company


Bioeq AG


Boehringer Ingelheim


Birkenstock


Bitcoin Suisse


Bobst


Bristol Myers Squibb


Calida


Chapter 4 “Supreme”


Chocolats et Cacao Favarger SA


CHOCOSUISSE, Association of Swiss Chocolate Manufacturers


Coop Gruppe Genossenschaft; Coop Genossenschaft


Dell


Deutsche Telekom AG


ECCO Shoes


Emirates


Etihad Airways


Expedia Inc.


Feldschlösschen / Carlsberg


FIFA


Gilead Sciences, Inc.


H. Lundbeck A/S (Denmark); Lundbeck Schweiz AG (Switzerland)


Haribo


Hells Angels Motorcycle Corporation


Hilti


Jung von Matt


Lego


Levis


Lindt & Sprüngli


Major League Baseball (MLB)


MaKe WeBo AG


MCM


Migros Genossenschafts-Bund


Mundipharma Medical Company


NIO


ON Running


Porsche


Red Bull


Schweizerische Post (Swiss Post)


Swisscom (Schweiz) AG


Swiss Cosmetic Association (SKW)


Ty Inc.


Telegram Messenger


UBER Technologies Inc.


ViiV Healthcare


Vitra


Zegna


Work highlights


Schellenberg Wittmer Ltd

Frequently operating on a cross-border scale, Schellenberg Wittmer Ltd enjoys a pre-eminent reputation on both the contentious and non-contentious sides of the IP sphere, with a notable capacity to act across the life sciences, engineering, media and construction sectors, to name a few. The team is well regarded for its ‘in-depth knowledge’ and ‘high standard’ of work. Spearheading the department is Philipp Groz, who principally focuses on domestic and international scale disputes for a host of notable clients. Lorenza Ferrari Hofer possesses a wealth of experience in cross-border matters that encompasses the licensing and distribution of tech as well as patent and trade mark infringements, while Peter Georg Picht is reputed for his IP and competition expertise. Adrienne Henneman is also recommended.

Practice head(s):

Philipp Groz


Other key lawyers:

Lorenza Ferrari Hofer; Peter Georg Picht; Adrienne Henneman


Testimonials

‘This law firm is an expert on agreements.’

‘What sets them apart is their approach to the client.’

‘They are very professional, show a lot of knowledge in their field and have a business-like approach to the customer.’

‘The service provided is of a high standard and provides comfort.’

‘Lorenza Ferrari is my main contact and I very much appreciate her both personally as well as professionally. She combines extraordinary expertise in various fields, particularly intellectual property, licensing, M&A and supply. She’s a tough negotiator with the capability to adopt to the client’s preferences in terms of style.’

‘They have in-depth knowledge of the law and a deep bench. They are responsive and creative in their approach.’

‘The IP team has in-depth knowledge of the life sciences sector and the ability to understand clients’ needs and to handle complex cases.’

‘I have personally worked with Lorenza Ferrari Hofer and can confirm her high competence, in-depth knowledge of IP matters, and team management skills to deal with complex, multi-jurisdictional cases in the life sciences sector.’

Key clients

Addlife AB


BASF


Bayer AG


Hetronic International


Holcim


Johnson & Johnson group of companies


Locarno Film Festival


Philip Morris International


Porsche


Samsung


Santhera Pharmaceuticals


SIX Group


Standard Chartered


UBS


Volkswagen


The Walt Disney Company


Zimmer Biomet


ZimVie


BioNTech


Ty Inc.


Novartis


Yeti


Sulzer


Sosei (Nxera)


BridgeBio International


Work highlights


  • Represented a Swiss laboratory engineering company as defendant in patent infringement litigation before the Swiss Federal Patent Court (including an invalidity defence).
  • Represented a Swiss bank and its foreign affiliated companies in a complex trademark dispute about the use of the same acronym for products in several countries and regions, such as the UK, EU, Germany, Middle East and Switzerland.
  • Represented Ty Inc. in complex trademark and unfair competition litigation before the Swiss Federal Supreme Court.

Walder Wyss Ltd.

A team that is considered ‘wonderful to work with’, Walder Wyss Ltd. pairs its extensive experience in patent litigation with its substantive expertise in managing sizeable trade mark transactional mandates to represent a wide-ranging client roster, from fashion and luxury goods companies to tech and pharma businesses. Roger Staub and Markus Frick lead the firm’s IP offering; the former is highly established in the pharma, luxury goods and financial services industries, while latter is particularly well-versed in relation to multi-faceted cross-border litigation. Michael Isler deploys his capabilities in outsourcing and tech transfer issues to assist an array of tech based clients, while Stefano Codoni is fully immersed in the life sciences and tech arenas.

Practice head(s):

Roger Staub; Markus Frick


Other key lawyers:

Michael Isler; Stefano Codoni; Manuel Bigler; Sylvia Anthamatten


Testimonials

‘The firm handles our most complex cases in Switzerland. The quality of the service is good; the attorneys are responsive, professional and knowledgeable.’

‘Manuel Bigler is an experienced lawyer. His opinions are prompt and concise and he shows a good knowledge of the Swiss trademark law and practice. We are satisfied with Manuel’s work.’

‘This is a firm that you can trust blind. They simply know their business very well and will find a solution for every problem.’

‘Roger Staub and Sylvia Anthamatten are my “go to” people for Switzerland and both do an excellent job. I am super happy with the work and can only recommend both.’

‘Manuel Bigler and Markus Frick are excellent.’

‘The team is wonderful to work with. Their competence is super. Also, they are exceptionally dedicated.’

‘Markus Frick is an outstanding strategist with an excellent nose for the needs of the clients. Also, he is fun to work with. Manuel Bigler is remarkably competent and is a wonderful team player. The legal documents the two of them produce are outstanding. I admire their sense for conciseness and how they put their fingers on the really relevant issues.’

‘The IP team is excellent, one of the best in Switzerland – a good mix of experts and young up-and-comers.’

Key clients

ABB Ltd.


Actial Farmaceutica Srl


Alcon Inc.


Amazon


Amazon Web Services


Apple TV


Argus Data Insights


AT&T


Bystronic


Deutsche Börse/Qontigo


Easygroup, incl. EasyJet


FIBEP Swiss Chapter


Giorgio Armani SpA


Hapimag AG


Hitachi/ABB Power Grids


Inventio AG (IP management company of Schindler Group)


Jemie B.V.


Kendris


Lastminute.com Group


Merck KGaA


Microsoft


Migros


Morach-Technik AG


Nestlé


Ortovox


OTTO’S AG


Pret A Manger


Relio AG


Richemont


Rocket Film Productions


Servisa Sammelstiftungen


Snap, Inc.


Storck


The Association of the Swiss Gas Industry


TX Group


Vertex Pharmaceuticals


Work highlights


Baker McKenzie Switzerland AG

Counting a litany of multinational corporations among its roster of key clients, Baker McKenzie Switzerland AG is well-positioned to advise across a diverse range of IP, tech and data mandates, with core streams of work being comprised of enforcement, litigation and design clearance, among a host of other issues. Practice head Eva-Maria Strobel is highly skilled in relation to strategic IP work and trade mark and design clearance and portfolio matters. Michael Treis covers the full gamut of IP advisory, prosecution and litigation mandates and Julia Schieber is well-positioned to advise on IP matters arising from the healthcare industry.

Practice head(s):

Eva-Maria Strobel


Other key lawyers:

Michael Treis; Julia Schieber


Key clients

Abbott


Abbvie


Acer Incorporated


Adagene AG


Alere Inc./Alere Switzerland GmbH


Apple


Applied Materials


Asahi Group Holdings


Astellas Pharma


Banque Lombard Odier


Bath and Body Works Inc.


Belron/Carglass


Boost Group


British American Tobacco


Burger King Europe GmbH


Bytedance Inc.


CSL Behring


CureVac


Danone


Emeis Cosmetics Pty.


Estating SA


Estee Lauder


General Electric


General Motors


Grupo Bimbo


GSK


Hasbro Inc.


Honeywell International


Hypatos GmbH


Johnson & Johnson


Lindt & Sprüngli


Luma Financial Technologies LLC


LVMH


Migros


Modag GmbH


ModernaTX


Mövenpick Holding


Narathai Cuisine Co. Ltd.


Nerium International


Novaliq GmbH


Numab AG


OnlineDoctor AG


Oracle


Work highlights


  • Supported Stance in litigation regarding an alleged infringement of Burlington’s iconic design, which involves two pending proceedings in Switzerland as well as pending proceedings in France.
  • Advised GSK plc on a licence agreement with WuXi Biologics under which GSK will have exclusive licences for up to four bi- and multi-specific TCE antibodies developed using WuXi Biologics’ proprietary technology platforms.

Bär & Karrer Ltd.

Characterised by its outstanding ‘economic and transactional mindset’, Bär & Karrer Ltd. maintains a comprehensive IP offering that extends across the industries of software, consumer goods and sports, among others, including providing its clients with considerable experience before the Federal Patent Court and the Federal Supreme Court. Markus Wang helms the group and is equipped to handle a vast array of pharma, trade mark and licensing disputes. Other names to note in the practice include Michele Bernasconi, who frequently handles matters pertaining to sports, media, energy and data protection, and Jonas Bornhauser, who is highly skilled on the advisory, transactional and other non-contentious side of the IP sphere.


Practice head(s):

Markus Wang


Other key lawyers:

Michele Bernasconi; Jonas Bornhauser


Testimonials

‘Smart and efficient.’

‘The IP team has both a strong transactional practice as well as a strong litigation and counselling department. Markus Wang is the IP lawyer to go to for complex transactions and contract drafting.’

‘As an experienced litigator and highly intelligent attorney with an excellent commercial and technical understanding, Markus Wang provides court-proven contracts and guides its clients through demanding negotiations.’

‘Very experienced, hands-on and responsive.’

‘Markus Wang is great to work with. He is very fast and extremely accurate.’

‘The practice has a special focus on transactional IP law. It also frequently acts as counsel in high-calibre litigation or even in the role as arbitrators in arbitration cases.’

‘Not only is their legal understanding outstanding, but also their economic and transactional mindset. Markus Wang and his team really know what it takes to manoeuvre clients through complex intellectual property issues.’

‘Markus Wang is the embodiment of Bär und Karrer’s intellectual property expertise.’

Key clients

Sauber Motorsport AG (Formula 1)


Sandoz AG


Glenmark Pharmaceuticals


Novartis AG


Mobiliar


Medbase AG


Migros


Viseca


Leggett & Platt


Archroma


ELCA Group SA


Lonza


EnerSys


Work highlights


  • Advised Sauber Motorsport AG in connection with its sponsorship, partnership and licensing agreements for the seasons from 2026 onwards.
  • Advised Novartis on the drafting and implementation of pre-spin-off IP transfer agreements as well as various agreements becoming effective as of the spin-off.
  • Represented a large generics company in connection with infringement proceedings initiated by a big pharma originator at the Swiss Federal Patent Court.

IPrime

‘Blending legal expertise with advanced technology’, IPrime routinely acts for a stable of large enterprises, public entities and SMEs on the protection and commercialisation of innovative tech, alongside demonstrating notable excellence on the IP and tech disputes side. Rudolf Rentsch leads the litigation aspects of the IP offering, bolstering the practice with his extensive domestic and international scale experience, while Moritz Kälin leads the prosecution work. Thomas Kretschmer primarily focuses on software, cryptography, IoT and AI matters, and Raphael Zingg‘s strengths lie in complicated patent litigation.

Practice head(s):

Rudolf Rentsch; Moritz Kälin


Other key lawyers:

Thomas Kretschmer; Raphael Zingg


Testimonials

‘IPrime sets itself apart by blending legal expertise with advanced technology, including AI-driven research and data analytics. This approach streamlines processes and enhances efficiency, delivering faster, more transparent results for clients.’

‘The firm’s collaborative, diverse team offers deep industry knowledge, ensuring tailored solutions for each client.’

‘IPrime’s innovation in technology and client service positions it ahead of traditional firms, offering a modern, efficient legal experience.’

Key clients

Vyaire Medical Group


JK-Group


myStromer


AutoForm


ALPA Capaul & Weber


Schaerer AG and WMF Group GmbH (Group SEB)


Rotho Kunststoff


TeamSpeak


Alter Ego Technologies


Acsana


Alka Global


Work highlights


  • Representated myStromer in patent and design litigation against Revolt Zycling before the Unified Patent Court and the Swiss Federal Patent Court and obtained the first preliminary injunction and penalty order in the history of the UPC.
  • Representated a leading Swiss intralogistics firm in several opposition proceedings before the European Patent Office and the German Patent and Trade Mark Office.
  • Acted as lead counsel on the private equity-backed acquisition of TeamSpeak, the leading Voice-over-Internet-Protocol solution for competitive gaming.

Pestalozzi

Noted for its ‘great client service’, Pestalozzi continues to broaden its IP horizons across the areas of life sciences, luxury goods and media, demonstrating considerable capabilities in relation to branding strategies, tech transfer agreements and a broad range of contentious issues. Lara Dorigo, who leads the department, is especially knowledgeable on the pharma, biologics and medtech patent litigation front; she is well regarded for her ‘dedication and client-focused approach’. Michèle Burnier possesses a strong grounding in trade mark issues.

Practice head(s):

Lara Dorigo


Other key lawyers:

Michèle Burnier


Testimonials

‘Great client service and thorough, considered advice. I have always found them to be very responsive and on top of legal developments.’

‘Lara Dorigo and Michèle Burnier are both highly effective partners. Easy to work with and quick to understand the client’s needs and goals. I would not hesitate to recommend them.’

‘I enjoyed the collaborative approach in which different options were discussed. We found the solution-oriented approach, which focuses on where compromises are necessary and possible and where no compromises should be made, to be very sensible and helpful in the decision-making process.’

‘Lara Dorigo takes time to listen to your concerns and needs so that she can incorporate them into the solution. We greatly appreciate the expertise of the Pestalozzi trademark team.’

‘Michèle Burnier gives us sound advice. She has a very good network internationally, with reliable correspondent lawyers.’

‘Nice team, very experienced, and willing to think outside the box. Open to different technologies.’

‘Lara Dorigo is a pleasure to collaborate with. Her extensive expertise, coupled with her dedication and client-focused approach, have consistently resulted in successful outcomes. Working with her not only ensures top-tier legal services but also an enriching professional experience.’

‘Excellent knowledge of local law and practice.’

Key clients

Advance Magazine


CH Media


Coca-Cola


Franz Kaldewei GmbH & Co. KG


ITV


Johnson & Johnson group of companies


Karin Herzog


Lanxess Deutschland GmbH


Leclanché


LYNX BV


McDonald’s


MGI Tech Co., Ltd.


MKS PAMP


Newron Pharmaceuticals SpA


PIA Corporation


Sky International AG


Stoneweg


STS Systemtechnik Schaenis GmbH


Terre des Hommes


Ultramarine


Weetabix Limited


Zentiva Group, a.s.


ZimmerBiomet


Zoll Inc.


Work highlights


  • Represented Zentiva Group / Helvepharm in patent litigation proceedings regarding the launch of a rivaroxaban generic in Switzerland.
  • Advised LeadXpro with respect to a major out-licensing deal.

TIMES Attorneys

Boutique firm TIMES Attorneys holds a varied skillset in the full spectrum of patent, copyright, trade mark and licensing matters, and provides its clients with strong experience in the Swiss Federal Patent Court. The group is recognised for being ‘very diligent and proactive, with a friendly and positive attitude’. Key names to note in the practice include Andrea Mondini, whose diverse set of strengths encompass trade mark disputes, licensing issues and distribution agreements; Michael Noth, who harnesses his capacity to handle litigation, contractual and prosecution issues to operate across trade mark and unfair competition mandates; and ‘business-minded’ Markus Kaiser, who covers the full array of IP issues. Simone Huser is also recommended.

Other key lawyers:

Andrea Mondini; Michael Noth; Markus Kaiser; Simone Huser


Testimonials

‘The whole TIMES Attorneys team is very diligent and proactive, with a friendly and positive attitude.’

‘Markus Kaiser is one of the best lawyers I have collaborated with. His proactiveness, business-minded approach and expertise are outstanding.’

‘Andrea Mondini knows the pharma sector inside out and has lots of experience. It was a pleasure working with him.’

Key clients

Google


Teva Pharmaceuticals


Mepha Pharma AG


STADA Pharmaceuticals


Spirig Healthcare AG


Alois Dallmayr


MHCS (belongs to Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton)


Zentiva


UEFA


All Star C.V. (Nike Inc)


Baur au Lac


Helvepharm AG


Work highlights


  • Represented Mepha Pharma AG (Teva’s Swiss subsidiary) before the Swiss Federal Supreme Court in patent infringement proceedings against Novartis regarding a generic version of Novartis’ product Jadenu® (deferasirox), with a successful result.
  • Represented DABUS before the Swiss Federal Administrative Court with regard to the first patent application ever filed in Switzerland for an invention generated autonomously by AI under circumstances in which no natural person, as traditionally defined, qualifies as an inventor.
  • Represented Google in several trade mark disputes, regarding its PIXEL, GOOGLE, CHROME, and YOUTUBE marks.

VISCHER

With substantive expertise across the fields of pharma, biotech, medtech and media, VISCHER frequently operates at the interface of IP and technology regulation alongside demonstrating significant skills on the IP litigation side. The practice is co-helmed by the ‘very smart’ Stefan Kohler and Lorenz Ehrler; the former maintains a wide-ranging practice that varies from trade mark administration to industrial engineering issues, and the latter is regularly retained by clients for assistance with trade mark, company name and unfair competition litigation. The ‘trusted’ Rolf Auf Der Maur is noted for his familiarity with copyright law, licensing agreements and IT issues.

Practice head(s):

Stefan Kohler; Lorenz Ehrler


Other key lawyers:

Rolf Auf Der Maur; Elias Mühlemann; Jonas Gassmann


Testimonials

‘Elias Mühlemann is an excellent managing associate: strong expertise and excellent service attitude.’

‘Outstanding knowledge.’

‘Jonas Gassmann: a smart guy, to the point, and gave very practical advice.’

‘With a responsive and client-focused approach, Vischer consistently delivers high-quality legal services, making them a trusted partner for businesses navigating regulatory and commercial challenges.’

‘Jonas Gassmann’s continuous pursuit of knowledge ensures that I can confidently entrust Swiss matters to him, knowing they are in expert hands.’

‘VISCHER’s IP practice provides very broad advice across regulatory, litigation and compliance issues. Their advice is informed by robust industry knowledge as well as very good relationships across both the creative industry and the governmental administration.’

‘Rolf Auf Der Maur is a trusted partner on various IP related issues. His long experience, impressive know-how and broad network makes him an invaluable partner to navigate complex obligations under different new regulatory obligations.’

‘Stefan Kohler is our “go to” guy for innovation, industry contracts and litigation. Very smart, very pragmatic and just a great guy.’

Key clients

Netflix


CH Media TV AG


Swisscom


Teleboy


Additiv AG


Delica AG


Hostpoint AG


LASCCO SA


EraCal Therapeutics


RS Dynamics


Synhelion


Ten23


Work highlights


  • Represented Delica AG in the patent dispute on Nespresso-compatible aluminium coffee capsules before the Swiss Federal Patent Court and coordinating the parallel proceedings in Spain and Germany.
  • Represented Berna Tresore in a patent dispute in relation to a security device for bankomats.
  • Represented ten23 in a patent dispute relating to the production and market launch of a blockbuster prefilled syringe for eye pressure medication.

BMG Avocats

Counting companies from across the watchmaking, luxury, and finance sectors amongst its key clients, BMG Avocats provides a ‘very personalised’ and ‘efficient service’ on all aspects of trade mark and design rights matters. Based in Geneva, ‘brilliant’ team leader Anne-Virginie La Spada specialises in advising on commercial contracts and unfair competition issues, Gwénaël Perriere is highly skilled in soft IP litigation claims.

Practice head(s):

Anne-Virginie La Spada


Other key lawyers:

Gwénaël Perriere


Testimonials

‘The specialist in charge of our relationship, Anne-Virginie La Spada, has proven a highly available and pragmatic counsel. We particularly appreciated her efficient handling of our requests within short timeframes.’

‘Anne-Virginie La Spada has great experience and expertise in trademarks and associated matters, such as unfair competition matters.’

‘Anne-Virginie is not only very good with legal analysis and advice, but she is also very results-orientated: she is always trying to find practical solutions for us, and she quickly understands our needs and our concerns, as well as our limitations regarding the budget. She is very responsive and always give us a quick return if needed.’

Work highlights


  • Advised a worldwide market leader in the food and beverage industry in two parallel arbitrations involving alleged breaches of worldwide trade mark licence agreements in connection with the exploitation of restaurants in airports and train stations.
  • Advised a major player in the watch industry on two procedures for preliminary injunctions involving imitations of iconic watch collections.
  • Defending the Swiss affiliate of a large foreign watchmaking group in a court action based on parasitic imitation (unfair competition), in the context of a multi-jurisdictional dispute.

CMS von Erlach Partners Ltd.

Hailed for their ‘responsiveness’, the lawyers at CMS von Erlach Partners Ltd. are well versed in the whole spectrum of trade mark protection, regulatory issues, and unfair competition proceedings. Operating out of Zurich, the practice is particularly active in the media, pharma, and tech industries, with joint heads Simone Brauchbar Birkhäuser and Dirk Spacek each specialising in the enforcement of trade mark portfolios and complex patent disputes. Julia Nitschke is a cybersecurity expert, whilst Olivia Zingg predominantly focuses on copyright matters.

Practice head(s):

Simone Brauchbar Birkhäuser; Dirk Spacek


Other key lawyers:

Julia Nitschke; Olivia Zingg


Testimonials

‘Very easy to reach, good availability, quick support.’

‘Cover all areas of expertise needed.’

‘Well connected on Swiss market.’

‘The CMS von Erlach Partners IP team provides superior brand protection services.’

‘The clarity and succinctness of their communications set their services apart.’

‘Simone Brauchbar Birkhäuser is an experienced and thoughtful lawyer, and judicious about her involvement out of concern for cost.’

Key clients

Better Cotton Initiative


Aon Schweiz AG


N-Dream AG


Near Foundation


Designwerk Technologies AG


Barilla


Lab 14 GmbH


Bruker


UCB


Gadget abc Entertainment Group


Balsiger Textil AG


Dieci AG


Work highlights


  • Advising Bruker Corporation, a NASDAQ-listed US tech company, on all legal IP aspects of its acquisition of Chemspeed Technologies AG, a Swiss provider of vendor-agnostic automated laboratory R&D and QC workflow solutions.
  • Advising pharma company UCB on the enforcement of its claims in an unfair competition dispute with a competitor.
  • Advising Gadget abc Entertainment Group on the acquisition of a majority stake in Stars in Town AG, including all IP and licensing-related matters.

HOUSE attorneys

Representing domestic and international clients from across the retail, automotive, and media sectors, the ‘highly specialised’ HOUSE attorneys practice has vast expertise in trade mark and copyright affairs. Located in Geneva, the ‘very knowledgeable’ Frédéric Serra leads the practice, primarily focusing on film production agreements and technology transfers, while Melina Haralabopoulos is highly knowledgeable in unfair competition and branding strategy matters.

Practice head(s):

Frédéric Serra


Other key lawyers:

Melina Haralabopoulos


Testimonials

‘They are extremely focused and passionate about our case, guiding us not only in strategy but also in key details.’

‘Frédéric Serra and Melina Haralabopoulos are distinguished experts in Swiss trademark law. Their professionalism, proactivity, and passion have been evident. I highly recommend them for intellectual property cases, particularly for non-traditional trademark cases in Switzerland.’

‘Highly specialised in IP and incredible knowledge of the luxury goods market.’

Key clients

Christian Louboutin


Bentley Motors Ltd


Work highlights


  • Advised Christian Louboutin on registering the red sole trade mark in Switzerland based on acquired distinctiveness.

Id Est Avocats Sàrl

Standing out for its knowledge of trade mark protection strategies and software licensing matters, id est avocats sàrl is especially active in the IT, watchmaking, and music industries. The firm has strong links with Swiss start-up companies, with the practice leads Juliette Ancelle and Michel Jaccard both being experts in unfair competition and AI proceedings from their base in Lausanne. Alexandre Jotterand is also highlighted as key.

Practice head(s):

Juliette Ancelle; Michel Jaccard


Other key lawyers:

Alexandre Jotterand


Work highlights


Kellerhals Carrard

Kellerhals Carrard, a team that is recommended for its ‘practical commercial experience’ and ‘strong collaborative dynamics’, is especially knowledgeable in relation to commercial contracts alongside distribution strategies and development agreements. Four key players lead the group: Daniel Alder, whose substantive skillset is comprised of protection, enforcement and exploitation matters; Daniel EmchNicolas Mosimann, who is fully immersed in the tech, software and life sciences areas; and Stefano Perucchi, who is well-versed on the contractual and strategic side of the IP arena. Ralph GramignaChristophe Rapin and Virginie Rodieux are other recommended lawyers in the practice.

Practice head(s):

Daniel Alder; Daniel Emch; Nicolas Mosimann; Stefano Perucchi


Other key lawyers:

Ralph Gramigna; Christophe Rapin; Virginie Rodieux


Testimonials

‘This practice is unique because the team demonstrates deep knowledge not only in corporate law but also in IP law, combined with real world practical commercial experience.’

‘They are always solution focused and as a team they demonstrate strong collaborative dynamics with seamless cross-disciplinary collaboration within the firm.’

‘I work closely with Virginie Rodieux who always approaches our issues and questions in a well-rounded and comprehensive manner, whilst strongly anchored in a deep knowledge of not only Swiss but also international IP law. She always contributes unique insights.’

Key clients

Magnolia International AG


Bloom Biorenewables Ltd


Montreux Jazz Festival


Work highlights


  • Advised on the structuring of all IP strategy and protection for Magnolia International AG.
  • Assisted Bloom Biorenewables Ltd in the negotiation and drafting of a joint development agreement with DSM Firmenich.
  • Assisted the Montreux Jazz Festival in various matters including copyright and production matters with respect to video recordings of the concert of the Festival, copyright regarding advertising posters of the Festival, and use of video recordings of the Festival in the context of AI.

LALIVE

The ‘excellent’ Thomas Widmer operates at the forefront of the IP offering at LALIVE, which is highly experienced in a varied litany of trade mark, design, domain name and copyright disputes, providing substantive advice to corporates, NGOs and individual clients operating in the sectors of tech, luxury goods and entertainment. Widmer excels across the full gamut of IP issues.

Practice head(s):

Thomas Widmer


Testimonials

‘Lalive’s advice is practical and actionable.’

‘Thomas Widmer leads with experience and a calm demeanour. His advice is practical and business oriented.’

‘Lalive understands quickly the situation and provides wise and practical advice. Straightforward approach.’

‘Thomas Widmer is a very good professional, very proactive and nice to work with.’

‘They have been instrumental in guiding us through complex proceedings before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), delivering exceptional results and offering a unique combination of legal expertise, industry knowledge, and strategic insight.’

‘Their experience in navigating not only the procedural aspects of international arbitration but also the technicalities surrounding sports-related IP issues has provided us with a significant edge in achieving favourable outcomes.’

‘Thomas Widmer was excellent.’

Work highlights


  • Represented a multinational computer, technology and IT consulting corporation in civil proceedings against a Swiss bank which is inter alia claiming access to the source code of various software interfaces developed by the client in the frame of a global IT service agreement.
  • Advised a non-profit organisation funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation on drafting and negotiating several contractual agreements, which include IP issues.
  • Advised a Swiss jewellery company on the management of its trade marks and designs worldwide.

Niederer Kraft Frey AG

The ‘very knowledgeable’ Niederer Kraft Frey AG is well-positioned to advise on a host of strategic litigation, research and development, as well as brand protection strategies, and pairs this with its diverse experience across the consumer goods, IT and electronics sectors, to name a few. Practice leader Nicolas Birkhäuser‘s strengths range from patent litigation to commercial contracts. The ‘exceptional’ Janine Reudt-Demont is a strong choice for e-commerce clients, and Michaela Zehnder bolsters the practice with her skills in the trade mark area.

Practice head(s):

Nicolas Birkhäuser


Other key lawyers:

Janine Reudt-Demont; Michaela Zehnder


Testimonials

‘Very good at keeping the client constantly informed. Very good at giving practical advice.’

‘Both Michaela Zehnder and Nicolas Birkhäuser are great practitioners who are able to deliver information in a concise and understandable manner.’

‘Very knowledgeable team.’

‘Janine Reudt-Demont is a great communicator and an exceptional person to work with.’

‘NKF has extremely competent teams who can support us in all aspects of our daily work. They excel at bringing the individual skills to the table quickly and easily in the interests of the client. This ensures that we receive the best possible advice.’

‘Janine Reudt-Demont advises us on cooperation with partner companies. With her in-depth knowledge and extensive experience, Janine ensures that our contracts with suppliers, customers and development partners meet our needs and the needs of our shareholders one hundred percent. For Janine, achieving the best possible deal is always at the forefront of her commitment.’

Key clients

Procter & Gamble


SkySale Schweiz GmbH (“Apfelkiste.ch”)


Thomson Reuters


Capvis AG


FibroGen Inc.


Josef Binkert AG


The Body Shop


Selecta


ASSA ABLOY AB


HANDELSVERBAND.swiss


Flatfox AG


Navistar International


Work highlights


  • Assisted Procter & Gamble in taking action against the sale of products by two competitors, which was held, among others, to amount to unfair competition.
  • Defended SkySale Schweiz against attacks by Apple and has already pushed back a significant part of them.
  • Assisted Capvis in transactions covering a wide range of different issues, including, among others, the due diligence review of IP portfolios (patents, trademarks, designs), copyrights including in particular software (open source and other), know-how and business secrets.

Rentsch Partner AG

Considered a ‘very professional and highly skilled team’, Rentsch Partner AG is a solid choice for start-ups with its strengths in establishing portfolios and patent protection. Maria Iskic has a comprehensive practice that includes IP, IT and competition matters, and the ‘extremely diligent and knowledgeable’ Christian Hilti litigates a considerable volume of patent, trade mark and design cases. The ‘exceptional’ Dany Vogel enjoys a niche expertise in relation to computer-implemented inventions.

Other key lawyers:

Maria Iskic; Christian Hilti; Dany Vogel


Testimonials

‘Full coverage on legal and technical issues in one firm at the highest level.’

‘Christian Hilti is an extremely diligent and knowledgeable lawyer; his legal analyses are impeccable. He is a great fighter for his clients.’

‘I worked closely with Dany Vogel. Mr. Vogel’s communication and efficiency during our collaboration were top-notch. I was particularly impressed with his technical depth in very specific subject areas (subfields of machine learning, such as deep neural networks) and ability to quickly grasp new material and write about it in a clear yet precise and correct way. This went far beyond my previous experiences of working with legal counsel on IP issues.’

Key clients

precisionED AG


Diwisa SA


Zehnder Group International AG


itschner connect AG


Sanetics


Qnami AG


Linkster Therapeutics


MvM Enterprises GmbH


Work highlights


Valfor Attorneys-at-law

Christoph Gasser leads the offering at Valfor Attorneys-at-law with his extensive capabilities in advising clients active within the sectors of pharma, fashion, telecoms and financial services, and the team continues to expand upon its trade mark and design prosecution skillset. Gasser is well-versed in trade mark prosecution and portfolio management, counting medical devices, nutrition and toy companies among his key roster of clients.

Practice head(s):

Christoph Gasser


Other key lawyers:

Cyrill Süess


Testimonials

‘The practice provides very responsive and reliable advice on the spot. One can count on them when needed without exception.’

‘Christoph Gasser: Outstanding memory about detail and impressively accessible.’

‘I have been cooperating with Christoph Gasser for many years now and I must say that he is absolutely reliable, uncompromisingly professional and a very nice person to work with.’

‘Valfor’s team is very organized and dedicated to providing clients with the best specialized service at short notice.’

‘Strong technical skills, commercially savvy and very responsive.’

‘Christoph Gasser is exceptionally knowledgeable, very responsive and understands the client’s requirements perfectly.’

‘Christoph Gasser – he is very responsive and proactive and has a thorough understanding of the Swiss TM landscape.’

‘The Valfor team is absolutely a top team, providing quality results. Having a special business focus, the recommendations given by the team are extremely valuable to our clients.’

Key clients

Canada Goose


AVIA


Micro Mobility


Tiktok


Solex


FRAM Liner


Bumble


KTM


Medtronic


Jungfraubahnen


medi


Work highlights


  • Advised Avia International on its global trade mark strategy to protect its brand in the field of new technologies.
  • Represented solex Germany successfully in preliminary injunction proceedings related to alleged trade mark infringement against the competitor Sola Switzerland GmbH before the Court of Commerce of the Swiss canton of Argovia.
  • Represented Microlino AG in the context of its worldwide commercialisation.

WEINMANN ZIMMERLI

A team that produces an ‘excellent quality of work’, WEINMANN ZIMMERLI is highly capable across a varied spread of trade mark, patent, copyright, and design law and is also notably experienced on the licensing side. The practice is jointly helmed by Madeleine Schim Van Der Loeff, a filing and prosecution expert with specific knowledge regarding trade mark, design and Internet issues, and Marco Handle, who maintains an active presence on both the contentious and non-contentious sides of the IP space. The ‘highly knowledgeable’ Fabian Wigger bolsters the practice with his extensive disputes expertise.

Practice head(s):

Madeleine Schim van der Loeff; Marco Handle


Other key lawyers:

Fabian Wigger


Testimonials

‘Excellent quality of work.’

‘Highly specialised team covering the entire range of IP.’

‘Fabian Wigger is a real copyright expert.’

Work highlights


Wenger Plattner

The ‘well established’ and ‘exceptional’ Wenger Plattner is particularly knowledgeable across an array of contractual issues, arbitration and trade mark matters, with notable capabilities in managing IP licence contracts in the life sciences, healthcare and sports industries. Damian Schai, who is especially adept at handling protection, defence, and legal enforcement of trade marks, and ‘art law expert’ Peter Mosimann, who counts private and public sector arts and cultural organisations among his key roster of clients, co-lead the department. Daniel Zimmerli excels in the infrastructure and healthcare industries.

Practice head(s):

Damian Schai; Peter Mosimann


Other key lawyers:

Daniel Zimmerli


Testimonials

‘They think outside of the box.’

‘Wenger Plattner excels in copyright and art law. Peter Mosimann is an art law expert.’

‘The firm owes its status in particular to the excellent Peter Mosimann, one of the best art law lawyers of the country, but also to its great network in the cultural scene. This allows for outstanding advice that goes far beyond legal issues in the narrower sense.’

‘Wenger Plattner is a well-established firm with good coverage of all areas of law. Their trade mark practice has expanded in the last few years and been boosted by the addition of Damian Schai, who is very experienced in this field and also in the field of IP and competition law litigation throughout Switzerland.’

‘The team has quickly grasped the issue and provided practical and easily implementable solutions.’

‘Wenger Plattner is a highly recommended firm considering their quality of work and their strategic, crisp approach on each matter for the best outcome to meet the client’s needs. The firm is highly committed to its quality services and has highly skilled attorneys. They establish relationships based on trust, communication and responsiveness.’

‘I highly recommend Wenger Plattner for their exceptional expertise in intellectual property and commercial law. Their team consistently demonstrates a high level of professionalism, offering strategic, innovative, and client-focused solutions.’

‘Damian Schai takes the time to listen, understand the problem, and find effective solutions.’

Key clients

Swiss Rockets AG


Audi AG


Anne Frank-Fonds


Stiftung Sinfonieorchester Basel (SOB)


Schweizerische Stiftung für die Photographie (SSF)


Work highlights


  • Advised Swiss Rockets AG on various aspects of a contractual matter with a focus on patent licensing issues.
  • Advised the Anne Frank-Fonds on all matters relating to copyright, trade mark, IT, multimedia and art law.
  • Represented the Swiss Foundation for Photography on copyright and trade mark issues for all collections of photography.

Wenger Vieli Ltd

Possessing ‘great expertise’ in this arena, Wenger Vieli Ltd fields a strong practice that is comprised of IT, AI and trade mark portfolio elements. Steering the practice is the ‘extremely dynamic’ Claudia Keller, who principally focuses on trade mark law, brand management and entertainment law issues. Matthias Langenegger advises on international internet regulation.

Practice head(s):

Claudia Keller


Other key lawyers:

Matthias Langenegger


Testimonials

‘The firm is a comparatively large firm in Switzerland with great expertise in IP and IT.’

‘Claudia Keller is a very experienced IP attorney with a very good sense for economic solutions.’

‘Claudia Keller is an extremely dynamic person who, thanks to her expertise, quickly recognises her clients’ needs and therefore always provides efficient solutions’

Key clients

Moneyland


Inner Mongolia Mengtai Group


MQF Melina Scheuber


Ascent


Axa


digitalswitzerland


Fox Williams


Basellandschaftliche Kantonalbank


The Swiss Times (UltraSwiss AG)


Work highlights


  • Advised the shareholders of Moneyland on IP-related matters in the sale to SMG Swiss Marketplace Group.
  • Advised Inner Mongolia Mengtai Group on the IP aspects in the cross-border acquisition of Alu Menziken Extrusion.
  • Advised MQF and Melina Scheuber on the IP aspects of their investment consulting business.