Switzerland

Firm overview

P&TS was established in 1998 in Neuchâtel as a patent and trademark law firm. P&TS experienced dramatic growth and quickly became an important player in the intellectual property scene in Switzerland. In 2014, the company won the Prix de l’Entreprise Romande (Prix SVC) which rewards the most dynamic companies in Western Switzerland– in all fields of activity. 

P&TS offers full service for IP prosecution and litigation.

Firm overview

As a leading Swiss business law firm, MLL Legal advises its clients in all traditional areas of commercial law such as M&A, finance, dispute resolution and intellectual property. In particular, MLL Legal stands out for its first-class industry expertise in technically innovative specialist areas such as fintech, blockchain and artificial intelligence, but also in regulated and innovative industries such as life sciences, telecommunications, financial services, real estate, retail and luxury. It is as a recognition for their work in these sectors in particular that MLL Legal’s specialists regularly feature in the most prestigious legal publications and lawyer rankings.

MLL Legal employs 250 people, including 150 lawyers, at its four Swiss offices in Zurich, Geneva, Zug and Lausanne, as well as at its international offices in London and Madrid.

Dedicated full-service IP practice

MLL Legal brings talent, expertise and solution-based teamwork to all IP issues. The members of the IP team rank among the leaders in IP law and have vast experience, primarily in Swiss but also in EU and German law. The firm’s IP specialists have extensive and wide-ranging experience in enforcing trademarks, copyright, designs and patents. The team also offers prosecution services for trademarks, designs and domain names, together with strategic advice and consultation on contracts, including antitrust matters. MLL Legal is a one-stop shop for all IP-related matters (excluding patent applications).

Trademarks, designs and unfair competition

MLL Legal performs the full range of trademark, design and domain name-related services in Switzerland and abroad, including registering, enforcing, opposing and defending these rights. MLL Legal has broad experience in the management of large portfolios and in counterfeiting cases.

The firm can also assist:

• in finding solutions under the new Swissness legislation (legal criteria regulating the use of Swiss goods and services);
• in developing and implementing trademark and design protection strategies;
• with litigation before all Swiss courts and authorities and coordination of international disputes;
• with IP-related arbitration (including domain name dispute arbitration);
• with the comprehensive management of entire IP portfolios;
• with unfair competition, design, trade dress and counterfeiting disputes;
• with the support of creative and design-focused companies, in particular advertising agencies, manufacturers of design products and photographers; and
• in providing sophisticated advice in the growing field of geographical indications.

Patents and the health industry

MLL Legal’s patent litigation team has outstanding expertise and experience in managing complex patent matters nationally, as well as in multiple jurisdictions, litigating before all Swiss courts and coordinating cross-border patent litigation. Advising and representing pharmaceutical companies in regulatory issues is also a primary team focus.

Copyright, technology, media and telecommunications

MLL Legal has been providing support and advice to technology companies and enterprises in the media and telecommunication industries for many years. The team at MLL Legal are also recognised by clients and peers as leading specialists in the area of privacy and data protection in Switzerland. The firm’s clients benefit from the team’s understanding of data protection laws in combination with their knowledge on the digitalisation of business activities and its legal and operative impacts.

The firm’s services comprise the following:

• advising software developers and IT service providers, as well as the users of such products and services (eg, outsourcing and IT security);
• advising on data protection topics in connection with software and mobile applications and cloud computing;
• advising media companies active in the classic media sector (eg, print, radio and television) and the new online media sector;
• supporting telecommunications companies in solving problems and exploiting the opportunities offered by the convergence of fixed-line networks, mobile radio communications and the Internet;
• ensuring compliance with relevant data protection rules of internet businesses, communities and ventures (eg, data protection guidelines, general terms and conditions and privacy policy);
• reviewing technology-focused due diligence;
• assisting with the financing, marketing and sale of technology-based solutions, technology-centric media and telecommunications companies; and
• assisting with the exchange of technology, in particular through licences and R&D agreements.

Languages

MLL Legal’s working languages include German, English, French and Spanish. Some of the firm’s professionals are also fluent in Italian and Portuguese.

Firm overview

Boutique firm IPrime fields a team of leading patent attorneys and attorneys-at-law with extensive experience in dealing with complex national and cross-border intellectual property matters across a broad range of technologies.

Relying on a unique combination of experienced business lawyers and litigators, patent attorneys and technology experts, IPrime is able to offer high-end legal and strategic advice and advocacy services in connection with the protection and commercialization of innovations, investments into technology, as well as complex IP and commercial disputes. Key strengths of the team are its independence and close collaboration between Swiss and European patent attorneys with a profound understanding of technology and science (including AI, robotics, big data, cyberphysical systems and block chain, pharmaceuticals, life sciences, chemicals and biotechnology as well as medical technology), and highly experienced dispute resolution specialists, who routinely represent parties in legal proceedings before courts, authorities and arbitral tribunals. IPrime has for years regularly handled a relevant share of all patent litigation matters in front of the Swiss Federal Patent Court.

As a part-time judge at the Federal Patent Court and experienced patent litigator, Dr. Rudolf A. Rentsch is involved in many high-stake patent cases in various technology sectors, while Dr. Moritz Kälin, Thomas Kretschmer and Martin Willy bring a wealth of experience in their respective scientific fields as well as in all aspects of patent law. Dr. Rudolf A. Rentsch, Dr. Ronny D. Banchik, Dr. Raphael Zingg and Ernst J. Brem are experienced commercial lawyers, advising clients in contract negotiations and representing them particularly in IP disputes. This interdisciplinarity, as well as the many years of experience which its lawyers gained in other firms and in in-house roles in the technology sector, allows IPrime to provide cutting-edge legal and strategic support to domestic and international clients at the intersection of technology and law.

Other key differentiators are the boutique structure and the discretion and substantially reduced risk of conflicts of interest, thanks to which IPrime can provide a broad range of services in contentious matters, from counsel mandates in litigation and arbitration, over strategic advisory in IP matters to settlement facilitation in situations requiring not only legal knowledge but also a thorough understanding of the underlying technical and commercial issues.

IPrime’s IP department covers both patent prosecution and patent litigation cases at Swiss, European and international level, providing strategic and legal advice with respect to the protection of intellectual property, whether under patent, trademark, copyright, trade secret, design or unfair competition laws. In particular, IPrime frequently advises IP departments of large leading global high-tech companies as well as SMEs, universities and start-ups in all areas of IP. IPrime also offers comprehensive services for the registration and administration of patent and trademark portfolios throughout Europe and overseas. In addition, IPrime’s patent attorneys and lawyers regularly assist clients in complex IP disputes, particularly in the patent area, and have accompanied a number of companies in patent cases in the U.S., China, Japan as well as many countries within Europe, in particular Germany and England. IPrime also routinely advises on the commercialization of intellectual property and related financing and structuring considerations and has set up a partnership with a large Swiss tax and accounting firm to assist companies in the tax-optimal structuring of patent portfolios, in accordance with the so-called patent boxes into Swiss law. Since many years, IPrime also runs a China desk and has strong connections to Japan.

IPrime has offices each in the heart of the cities of Zurich and Dusseldorf and since summer 2021 in Liechtenstein.

Firm overview

Murgitroyd is a rapidly growing firm with innovation at its heart.

For nearly 50 years we’ve built a reputation as one of the world’s leading strategic IP firms. Trusted by global innovators and businesses to realise and protect the true value of their intellectual assets. History we may have, but we instead face forward. Our success lies in the positive relationships we build and our unrivalled breadth of expertise – from an unmatched technical knowledge to a proven commercial awareness.

We’re more than legal experts – we’re a strategic IP solutions firm with an unrivalled breadth of expertise. Our UK and European patent, trade mark and design attorneys bring together solid legal foundations, unmatched technical knowledge, and a commercial awareness that can drive growth and accelerate success.

We build relationships – globally. Our job is to protect and unlock the full potential of your innovations and ideas – not just in your country, but around the world. Our global team of specialists have an unrivalled knowledge in local laws and practices that provide a benchmark for advice and expertise wherever it’s needed to help you grow your business in markets you never thought possible, in ways you never imagined.

Our global office network spans Europe, North America and Asia. With over 440 employees (including over 120 attorneys) worldwide, our people have leading IP expertise across many industries including automotive, engineering & energy; consumer brands & services; chemistry & materials; life sciences & healthcare; and technology, media & telecoms.