Asialaw Profiles
The Guide to the legal markets of the Asia-Pacific

“Anand & Anand is deservedly in the top tier for IP,” says a rival. The firm retains its top of the class rankings this year, with one client noting: “The firm offers a vast array of IP services. The lawyers are outstanding in every aspect. They’re fast, complete, experienced and informed; and their advice is sound.” Managing partner Pravin Anand is a dominant force in the market. His prowess as a litigator is “without peer”, says a competitor. A client says of Anand: “He’s a leading authority on IP matters in the country. One could say he’s obsessed, but only in the greatest of ways.” The firm was involved in the high profile matter between client Music Broadcasting and Phonographic Performance over licensing fees.

Remfry & Sagar is one of the largest and oldest IP firms in the country. The firm has weathered a turbulent year, with the departure of patent partner Sanjay Kumar in September 2010 and the passing of founder Dr Vidya Sagar in February 2011. Peers have been quick to assert the firm’s continued capability, with one noting: “The lawyers there are talented and, though it is a great loss to the firm, I wouldn’t see this having long lasting effects on its practice.” A notable matter for the firm was its representation of The Financial Times in the use of the trade marks ‘Financial Times’ and ‘FT’ against Bennet Coleman & Co and Times Publishing House. Managing partner Ashwin Julka is held in high esteem by clients, with one saying: “I like working with him and have for a long time. He is excellent, and also maintains his team of junior attorneys closely.”

“As far as IP boutiques in the country go, K&S Partners is a standout in the market. I would flag it as the firm to beat in the coming years,” says one peer. The firm retains its position in the rankings this year, but has one eye firmly fixed on the top tier. Clients regard the firm highly, with one saying: “I would rate the firm among the best IP firms I’ve worked with in the country.” The firm acted for Qualpro Diagnostics, the appellant, before the Delhi High Court in the past year in various cases regarding the filing of serial oppositions.

Amid strong support from peers and market observers, Krishna & Saurastri ascends the IP rankings this year. Though based in Mumbai, the firm has considerable reach across the country through offices in Bangalore, Pune and Ahmedabad. One competitor concedes: “The firm has a strong presence in Mumbai. It takes on a huge amount of work, particularly in the prosecution area.” Partner Sunil Krishna is an outstanding figure in the IP market, with one peer noting: “He is a quality practitioner.”

“Lall & Sethi is a longstanding IP authority in the market,” says a peer. Managing partner Chander Lall is well respected by practitioners and clients, with one client saying: “He is a top lawyer and offers excellent advice and service.” The firm advised GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare, the plaintiff, against the defendant Heinz India in a matter regarding disparaging advertising. The Delhi High Court granted an injunction against the defendant, saying that its advertisement of ‘Complan’ disparaged the plaintiff’s ‘Horlicks’ brand. This matter was decided in November 2010. A competitor says of Lall: “He’s a great lawyer, and his people are great with incredible knowledge of the law.”

Lall Lahiri & Salhotra has elevated patent lawyer R C Dhawan to the firm’s partnership in the last year, and it is poised for continued expansion and growth in the future. “We have found the firm to be very efficient and have continued to consolidate our IP rights work to this firm,” says one client. A notable matter for the firm was its representation of Exxon Mobil in its complaint against Pluto Domain Services for use of the domain name exxonmobilecard.com. The Delhi High Court granted interim relief to the client, and the order was made absolute in October 2010. This matter was led by managing partner Anuradha Salhotra. Clients praise the dedication of her team: “The lawyers there are a tenacious bunch. They are both knowledgeable and prompt in assisting their clients.”

Lex Orbis IP Practice has increased its profile among the IP community this year, with one peer noting: “The firm’s performance in the past year has been nothing short of stellar. The leadership at the firm is visionary.” A notable transaction was advising the Fashion Design Council of India in a trade mark dispute before the Delhi High Court. This matter was led by Ramesh Babu, Manisha Singh Nair and Abhai Pandey and closed in July 2010.

“RK Dewan & Co is an excellent IP firm. The lawyers there are all IP experts,” says a peer. The firm pushes the boundaries of IP law and sets an example for the market to follow. A notable transaction was the firm’s advisory work for Thermax in the last year. This litigation case saw the firm embark on the radically new strategy of bypassing the interim injunction stage and going straight forward to the trial phases. At the time of writing, the proceedings are expected to be complete in a year. Lead partner Mohan Dewan is highly regarded by competitors and clients, with one client saying: “I see him as a top legal professional not just in the country but on the global stage as well.”

IPR International Services

IPR International Services is an IP boutique firm based in Delhi offering the full range of IP services. The firm provides services to both international and domestic clients, and its main expertise lies in its prosecution work. Some of the sectors that the firm operates in include: biotechnology, chemistry, electronics, electrical, mechanical and pharmaceutical.

Obhan & Associates

Obhan & Associates is an “up and coming IP firm”, say peers. The firm maintains the entire IP portfolio of Caterpillar, a global construction and mining equipment company. Founding partner Essenese Obhan is highly regarded by peers, with one saying: “He is probably one of the better patent lawyers in the country today. The firm is absolutely superb in that area.” The firm advises Tata Chemicals on various matters, including its Swach water filter project.

Singhania & Partners

Singhania & Partners has a considerable IP practice headed by senior partner Dipak Rao. The firm advises companies such as Tata McGraw Hill Education, Standard & Poor’s and Innovis Telecom Services. A notable transaction was the firm’s representation of US company Spitfire in the registration of its unique design in the shape of a dispenser. This design was registered in a record time of seven months.

SS Rana & Co

SS Rana & Co has possessed IP expertise since its inception in 1989. The firm boasts specific expertise in areas such as semiconductors for clients like Freescale Semiconductor, as well as experience in more conventional areas of IP like trade mark work for companies such as McDonald’s and Starbucks Coffee. A notable transaction in the past year was its representation of Hyatt International in a case involving trade mark infringement of the client’s Hyatt name. The court passed an interim injunction and restrained the alleged infringers from using the trade mark. This matter was led by partners Vikrant Rana and Sohan Singh Rana, and closed in March 2011.

United Overseas Trademark Company

United Overseas Trademark Company, together with sister firm United Overseas Patent Firm, has been a part of the IP market since 1992. Its expertise includes patent prosecution and trade mark prosecution experience. The parental firm Delhi Registration Services is led by KG Bansal, who boasts over five decades of experience in IPR law. Lead partner Shravan Kumar Bansal manages the trade mark arm of the practice, and has plenty of experience in the global IP space with exposure to groups and associations such as APAA, AIPPI and INTA.

YJ Trivedi

YJ Trivedi is an Ahmedabad based firm with decades of experience in the IP industry. The firm offers the full range of IP legal services, and is involved in IP work in domestic cities such as Mumbai, Bangalore, Pune, Surat and Rajasthan. It even has a presence abroad in Canada. One peer notes: “The firm has made a name for itself in the state of Gujarat.”