Intellectual property

Vouga Abogados

Experienced in the protection of IP assets, Vouga Abogados continues to manage a growing list of trade mark and patent portfolios, advising on risk mitigation and providing representation in litigation proceedings. With both national and international clients, the team manages patent applications on a global scale, with a particular focus on the pharmaceutical and agribusiness sectors. Siegfried Vouga, an expert in IP law, co-heads the practice and brings extensive experience to the team. Practice co-head associate Laura Lezcano boasts a diverse roster of international clients. Rodrigo Fernández de Nestosa plays a key role in the group’s contentious matters, representing clients at civil, administrative and criminal courts and before the Supreme Court. Promoted to partner in January 2024, Manuel Acevedo focuses his practice on patent-related matters. At the associate level, Grecia Florentin assists with the prosecution of administrative IP cases, while Stephanie Medina focuses on the health and pharma sectors.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

‘The Vouga Abogados team is made up of top-level professionals with extensive knowledge of the Paraguayan market. It is a leading firm in corporate law and intellectual property, which is an opinion maker in the Paraguayan corporate market.’
‘Rodrigo Fernández is a stand-out from Vouga with his deep legal knowledge and immersion in the commercial necessities and priorities of our business. Along with his wide experience in matters of counterfeit products and general IP, Rodrigo is always available with quick, practical, efficient advice that keeps in mind the ethos and commercial relationships of our company, while maintaining our strong focus on compliance.’
‘Vouga is a very updated, avant-garde studio and superior to any other we work with.’
‘I believe the capacity of its professionals is incomparable. I would highlight Manuel Acevedo. They are excellent professionals and also have all the necessary contacts at the country level to be able to solve any need or problem of our organisation.'
‘I recommend Laura Lezcano and her firm in view of the excellent work they have done for our clients in Paraguay for several years. Laura has played – and still plays – an important role in protecting our client’s marks in Paraguay. She is very responsive, and her deep knowledge and wide experience have enabled our clients to obtain the best possible trade mark protection in her country. Laura also helps us with trade mark prosecution and always provides us with enlightening advice regarding the best strategy for our clients to take in terms of obtaining and defending their trade mark rights or expectations or rights.’
‘Apart from providing support in various legal areas that pertain to your business in Paraguay and also internationally. They have also brought up business opportunities, such as possible investments or partnerships, which no one else does or would do.’
‘Quick and effective attention. The same partners always answer the phone when you call and are available.’
‘The IP team has responded quickly and with solid knowledge to our practice-related queries.’

Key clients

BYD Company Limited
Mosaic Fertilizantes Do Brasil
Luveck Medical Corporation
Continental Grain Company
Barenbrug
Chery Automobile
Prosegur Paraguay
Zhejiang Geely Holding Group
Blue Diamond Growers
Alex
Guangdong Chigo Air-conditioning
Paraguay Refrescos
Nissin Foods Holdings
Wines & Spirits
Luiz Leonardos & Advogados
Bolsa de Valores y Productos de Asunción
Hijas de Feliciana de Fariña No 3 years
Midea Group

Work highlights

Assisting Barenbrug in the obtention of different plant variety registrations to both protect IP rights and allow commercialisation in Paraguay.
Assisting Nextleaf Solution with the filing of two patent applications on cannabis-related matters.
Advised Mossaic Fertilizantes Do Brasil on the assessement of risks and the design of a strategy to achieve a coexistence agreement between the client's trade marks (PERFORMA) and its counterparty, Syngenta's trade mark (PERFORMAX).