Intellectual Property: Lithuania

THE FIRM This top-tier boutique remains at the forefront of specialist IP advice, advising clients in the pharmaceutical, food and beverage sectors. Sources are quick to praise its technical registration work at various local agencies. The practice's expertise covers the full breadth of contentious and non-contentious matters, including trade mark, patent, design, copyright and collateral rights. Recent highlights include advising Stirolbiofarm Baltikum on a patent dispute concerning the medicinal generic citramon, and acting for UAB Feliksnavis on its claim against the validity of Lithuanian patent No. 5561.

Sources say: "A leading IP firm. It stands out as a particularly strong team."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Managing partner Otilija Klimaitiene is a well-known figure in the patents and trade mark arena. She frequently represents clients in disputes relating to IP registration and protection at the Lithuanian State Patent Bureau and the European Patent Office.

Andrius Iskauskas is a respected name in the Lithuanian IP market. He practises in various areas including IP, IT and public procurement, and represents clients of all sizes.

THE FIRM This boutique firm receives resoundingly positive feedback from sources. The group handles large IP portfolios for big-name clients, assisting with the registration and upkeep of various IP rights, and providing representation in disputes. The firm also acts on product piracy and counterfeiting matters, as evidenced in a recent case advising Giorgio Armani on an investigation into the sale of counterfeit watches. Other notable mandates from the past year include patent litigation and cases involving 3D trade marks. The team counts many international pharmaceutical companies as clients, including UAB Novaturas.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Reda Zaboliene is described as “the leading practitioner in this field,” and acts on many of the firm's largest transactions. She is particularly known for her trade mark and patent work.

THE FIRM LAWIN continues to strengthen its IP capabilities, with recent new hires bolstering the team's manpower and depth of experience. The group advises on the full range of IP matters, from the registration of trade marks to patents, copyright design, illegal parallel imports, regulatory matters and domain names. It is equally adept at aiding clients with contentious and non-contentious cases, and has been busy of late with complex patent litigation. The team currently acts for science and technology hubs Sunrise Valley and Santara Valley on a range of IP issues. Other clients come from the pharma, media and telecoms industries.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Mindaugas Kiskis is a prominent member of the IP team, and is well known for his IT and copyright work.

Senior associate Gediminas Ramanauskas heads the IP, media and privacy team, and is making a name for himself in the field. He works on complex transactions and also handles litigation.

THE FIRM This pan-Baltic establishment deals with some of the most complex IP cases in the Lithuanian market. Sources praise its clear advice and high-value return, and identify the five-strong team as a prominent player in trade marks, copyrights and designs. Impressive mandates for the likes of Google and Apple earn the group a solid reputation in this field: the lawyers defended Apple in a series of counterfeiting cases before the Lithuanian customs authorities, while Google instructed the firm regarding successful domain name disputes and infringement negotiations. Playboy also recently engaged the firm in a series of counterfeiting cases before the Lithuanian Customs Authorities.

Sources say: "The team is great. Absolutely available, even at irregular hours."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Interviewees note Renata Berzanskiene for her copyright and trade mark litigation expertise. Her excellent response times and smooth organisation also win her extensive praise. She is a member of the International Trademark Association and the European Communities Trade Marks Association.

Up-and-coming associate Lauyrnas Ramuckis is highly visible in the field of IP. He undertakes transactional work surrounding trade marks, designs and copyright, and also advises on patent, trade mark and domain name disputes. Sources praise him as being "always reachable. He always delivers hands-on advice."

THE FIRM TRINITI enters the rankings this year as its IP team continues to earn impressive market recognition. The group has recently been busy on patent and trade mark-related cases. It successfully advised SOCIETE BIC on a 3D trade mark matter relating to the Bic Cristal. The team counts the Lithuanian Collective Administrator of Copyrights and the Lithuanian Collective Administrator of Related Rights as clients, regularly acting for them on various matters. The team advises on national, European, and international IP law, and co-ordinates with IP practitioners in the firm's Latvian and Estonian offices in order to offer a pan-Baltic approach.

Sources say: "The team is easily accessible, easy-going and welcoming."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Vilija Viesunaite earns commendations from clients for her "focused and dedicated" approach and ability to come up with a selection of solutions. Her long-standing experience in this sector ensures that she is seen as a strong and important figure on the IP scene.