What the team is known for
Full-service offering assisting clients with the full gamut of IP strategy, registration, protection and enforcement. Frequently handles contentious and non-contentious copyright, trade mark and design rights matters. Also acts on patent disputes in the pharmaceutical sector. Additional expertise in the commercialisation of IP, including distribution, licensing and franchise agreements. Experienced in mandates involving international elements.

Strengths
A client notes that the lawyers are "to the point, have the specialism we need, understand the business purpose and are very nice to work with."

Another source describes the team as "very skilled and well connected," praising its ability to handle cross-border mandates.

Work highlights
Represented Playseats in a design infringement dispute.

Notable practitioners
Claus Barrett Christiansen acts for clients on trade mark and design infringement disputes. A source enthuses: "He has very broad, strategic knowledge and is able to clarify and communicate legal issues in a very simple and effective way."

Dan Bjerg Geary advises on the IP aspects of franchise, distribution and licensing agreements. A client describes him as a "very smart lawyer who knows the law and details, but also has a great commercial understanding," adding that he is "strategically very clever."

Klaus Madsen receives plaudits for his expertise in patent disputes, often representing generic pharmaceutical companies. One source describes him as "very experienced," while another considers him to be "a very skilled litigator."

Martin Dræbye Gantzhorn assists pharmaceutical companies with IP and regulatory due diligence connected to transactions, as well as disputes pertaining to marketing and advertising issues. Sources praise his holistic and business-oriented approach.

Mikkel Friis Rossa assists clients with IP strategy and enforcement, including trade mark matters. Sources highlight "his outstanding customer service, his clear, practical and to-the-point advice, his can-do attitude and his impressive business understanding."

Chambers and Partners Europe, Intellectual Property

What the team is known for
Well-respected team known for handling contentious and non-contentious trade mark matters, including trade mark enforcement and agreements. Represents clients in parallel imports litigation and trade secrets mandates. Frequently acts on patent infringement cases, as well as providing strategic and transactional patent advice. Also active in the copyright area, as well as handling large data protection and compliance projects. Offers considerable expertise in the life sciences sector and represents pharmaceutical companies, as well as many notable brands from other sectors. Experienced in mandates involving international elements.

Ranked: tier 1

Bech-Bruun has a stellar reputation in the life sciences sector, where it advises high-profile clients on an array of trade mark and design, patent and regulatory matters. The group is jointly led by Claus Barrett Christiansen and Mikkel Friis Rossa; Christiansen is an experienced design and trade mark litigator noted for his Chinese multinational client roster. Klaus Ewald Madsen is praised for his patent infringement litigation track record, and Martin Dræbye Gantzhorn demonstrates an ‘in-depth knowledge of patent and regulatory law’, while Dan Bjerg Geary focuses on licensing and IP strategies.

'Bech Bruun has a good ability to think commercially and to understand our company’s commercial needs and priorities. They provide our company with “all-around advice” and possess great expertise in all legal areas, not just intellectual property rights.’

‘Always available to the client, and always deliver in high quality. They have great knowledge of the pharmaceuticals industry and they are very professional  – you can relax when they take over a case.’

‘Bech-Bruun’s IP team is young and energetic but still possesses remarkable talent and experience.’

‘It has become one of the top firms for IP matters in Denmark. It stands out for great insight and experience within our industry and maintains an edge in delivering useful advice.’ 

Legal 500, Intellectual Property

Patent contentious

• Tier 1
  

Trade Mark contentious

• Tier 1

Copyright & related rights

• Tier 2

Trademark prosecution

• Highly recommended
  

"A trusted partner for all trademark matters, Bech-Bruun gives state-of-the-art advice and considers each client’s overall strategic aims.” The firm stands at the forefront of innovation and has been laser-focused on building a new practice dedicated to AI. Of late, the tech-savvy group has been raking in wins before the local courts, most notably on behalf of Schneider Corporation, a global electronics company. Spearheading these efforts is "superstar litigator" Claus Barrett Christiansen, the department lead receives vociferous praise from all corners of the market. "He is certainly number one in Denmark. Very few have the knowledge, experience and cultural understanding that Claus has. He is a bright, pleasant and principled individual who communicates effectively and readily makes himself available even when fighting the most interesting of cases." The unit has also been hard at work consolidating its presence in Shanghai, acting as a liaison for Danish entities looking to enter into the market; an area where Inge Kirstine Skou’s experience is exceptionally valuable. The “pragmatic” WTR 1000 debutante administers highly effective prosecution strategies for brand owners in China and the United States, capitalising on her "broad and in-depth knowledge of trademark issues".

 

WTR 1000, 2020