We are pleased to announce that we have maintained our strong rankings from last year.
What the team is known for: A well-respected offering with core strength in China, as well as Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines and Vietnam. Aids clients on a variety of IP issues with a focus on infringement actions in respect of patents and copyright, anti-counterfeiting matters and domain name disputes. Maintains an impressive client roster among technology and food and drink companies.
Work highlights: Assisted Harley-Davidson with anti-counterfeiting enforcement in Indonesia, including three successful raids of infringing retail outlets.
Acted for Mars on a trade mark opposition relating to the client's 'M&Ms' mark.
Significant clients: Apple, Google, Schwan-STABILO, Shell, Unilever.
Notable practitioners
Linda Chang is country manager for China. Prasit Siricheepchaiyan is head of patents in the firm's Thailand office. Chris Vale leads the team in Vietnam and splits his time with Hong Kong. Edmund Baranda is co-head of department in the Philippines and Lisa Yong co-heads the Indonesia practice.
What the team is known for: Substantial group with practitioners working from Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Hong Kong. Active across all aspects of IP issues, with an especially good reputation for trade mark enforcement and protection work. Also recognised for a growing patent and transactional IP offering. A high-profile clientele includes a number of leading technology companies.
Strengths (Quotes mainly from clients)
"They are excellent in all aspects and responsive to the extreme. The entire team truly understands the client's needs, which makes the work smooth and stressless."
"They are very famous for anti-counterfeiting work,"
"They are taking it to the next level for complex patent advice and transactional support."
Work highlights: Acted for All Saints Retail in defending an opposition decision in favour of the client by the Hong Kong Trade Marks Registry, successfully convincing the High Court to dismiss the appeal by APGL.
Acted for Magpul Industries in civil actions against Ji Junwu for trade mark infringement before the Xiamen Intermediate Court, which resulted in a settlement agreement between the parties.
Notable practitioners
Elliot Papageorgiou's core remit focuses on patent, trade mark and copyright litigation. One client enthuses: "I really like working with Elliot Papageorgiou. He is great. He works very hard to get the best results for his clients. He gives you his honest opinion about the prospects for your case. He will tell you if you have a loser. He is really an excellent litigation counsel."
Country manager Linda Chang is credited by peers as "very pragmatic." Her key area of expertise lies in trade mark infringement and opposition mandates. She is also well versed in handling domain name disputes.
Head of the firm's China trade marks group Rachel Tan attracts praise for "finding commercially pragmatic advice. She knows what she's doing and how to assess the situation." She acts for clients on matters ranging from brand clearance to trade mark enforcement.
Significant clients: Conair Corporation, Jaguar Land Rover, Schwan-STABILO, Shell Brands International, Sony Mobile Communications.
What the team is known for: Rouse remains highly respected for handling a wide array of IP work for an impressive roster of clients. It is commended particularly for excellence in litigation and has recently taken on a number of infringement and invalidation cases. In addition, the team has lately expanded its patents practice.
Strengths (Quotes mainly from clients)
"We decided to give the more complicated cases to Rouse as we work with them in several countries."
"Some law firms just want to earn money from their clients but Rouse actually cares."
Work highlights: Acted for H&M in the cancellation of a trade mark registered to a local party.
Represented BMW in reclaiming a domain name. This was one of the first cases to go ahead under the PANDI domain name dispute rules.
Notable practitioners
Gunawan Suryomurcito is a very well-respected senior figure with extensive experience in the IP space. Peers describe him as "someone we look up to."
Co-head of department Chow Kin Wah has experience across both contentious and non-contentious issues in Singapore, China and Hong Kong. His recent work in Indonesia includes co-ordinating raids for Harley-Davidson against three retail outlets selling counterfeit goods.
Significant clients: Starbucks, Procter & Gamble, BATMark, Coca-Cola, GlaxoSmithKline.
What the team is known for: Highly regarded outfit with an impressive reputation for handling contentious copyright and trade mark issues. Also demonstrates a strong prosecution offering, assisting with a variety of IP portfolio management mandates for multinational clients.
Strengths (mostly from clients)
"Their international network certainly works in their favour."
Notable practitioners
Co-head of department Edmund Jason Baranda comes highly recommended for his work in the patent sphere, as well as on unfair competition and anti-counterfeiting matters. Sources highlight his technical scientific knowledge as a key strength, with one noting: "He is a chemical engineer, which sets him apart from other lawyers; very few have that technical background."
Significant clients: Allergan, Castrol, Harley-Davidson, Jockey International, Motion Picture Association.
What the team is known for: Especially active on trade mark and patent prosecution matters for high-end international clients. Notable experience handling contentious IP matters, including patent and copyright disputes for local and international parties. Maintains an impressive roster of clients from the consumer goods, technology and food and beverage industries.
Work highlights: Represented the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in its successful appeal against a trade mark application made by computer services company Minor Information Technology.
Acted for ASAHI Golf in its notably successful appeal to the Trade Marks Board regarding the registration of new marks.
Notable practitioners
Fabrice Mattei manages the firm's Thailand and Myanmar practices, and advises on trade mark and patent matters for prominent international clients. He is particularly well versed in complex IP litigation. He advised The New Era Cap on the registration of its trade mark 59FIFTY.
Significant clients: Yum! Brands, Jack Daniels’ Properties, SODIAAL, Lawson, Google.
What the team is known for: A regional practice offering significant resources, including a dedicated team based in Vietnam. Advises an impressive roster of blue-chip clients on anti-counterfeiting activities, including the co-ordination of raids. Notable capabilities extend to the robust handling of trade mark infringement and opposition cases.
Strengths (Quotes mainly from clients)
"On the work I am extremely happy. They get a big thumbs-up in terms of quality and responsiveness."
"Rouse is a great firm in the area of anti-counterfeiting. Their system works well, and they provide good training."
Work highlights: Successfully acted for Mars in an opposition to an application for the mark N&M in Vietnam on the grounds that the mark was confusingly similar to its well-known M&M's trade mark.
Assisted INAO in opposing an application for the mark BAYONA in on the grounds that the mark was confusingly similar to the geographical indication Jambon de Bayonne, which had been protected in the EU and will be protected in Vietnam according to the EU–Vietnam Free Trade Agreement.
Notable practitioners
Managing partner Chris Vale is a key contact for clients.
Significant clients: Wrigley, Coca-Cola, Diageo, adidas, Allergan.