Intellectual Property / TMT
The practice

Our Intellectual Property/TMT practice is one of the most highly regarded practices in the CIS. It comprises of highly qualified and well experienced lawyers, who advise global brands and major technology companies on a wide range of industry issues.

We provide comprehensive legal advice related to registration, transfer, and use of intellectual property rights, including trademarks, inventions, copyright, domain names etc. We conduct due diligence in respect to intellectual property, prepare drafts of contractual documentation, participate in negotiations of transactions and defend our clients' intellectual property rights before patent, customs and law enforcement authorities, in courts and international commercial arbitration.

We advise on regulatory issues in the technology, media and telecommunications sectors and the Internet, including personal data protection, commercially sensitive information and cryptographic operations and any related criminal liability and other risks. 

Furthermore, our lawyers represent clients in libel suits and advertising law disputes and work closely with public patent authorities and antitrust agencies, are involved in the improvement of legislation and sit on industry committees of business associations. Our lawyers are engaged in the work of the intellection property commission at the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC). The Firm was one of the initiators behind the IT Industry Lawyer Discussion Club that was established several years ago and rapidly gained popularity as the key meeting platform for the industry lawyers.

Our exceptionally experienced lawyers are listed by directories such as Managing IP, Chambers Europe, The Legal 500, World Trademark Review 1000, Best Lawyers, Legal Experts and Who's Who Legal.

Services

Our services include:

  • advising on transfer of intellectual property rights under licensing, franchising and other agreements; legal support to M&A and JV deals;
  • protection of intellectual property rights;
  • counteracting production and imports of counterfeit goods, development and implementation of anti-piracy programmes nationwide and internationally;
  • representing clients before patent, customs and antitrust authorities;
  • advising on Internet business, including e-commerce, protection of domain name holders' rights and counteracting cyber-squatting and other infringements on the Internet;
  • advising on developing, sale and certification of software and many other issues in the IT sector;
  • advising on protection of personal information and licensing of cryptographic operations;
  • representing clients before law enforcement agencies in criminal proceedings related to infringement of intellectual property rights, confidentiality issues and violation of cryptographic services laws;
  • registration of trademarks and other industrial properties;
  • advising on licensing and registration of TV channels, DTH operators and media companies.
Reputation

"Ability to foresee risks and suggest options to minimise them. They also suggest legal solutions which are pragmatic from a business point of view."  (Chambers Europe 2020)

“Great knowledge of the industry and great connections all over Russia. If evidence has to be collected fast, they definitely are the go-to team.” (The Legal 500 2020)

"One of the most competent IP teams”, "highly regarded for its fast speed and professional attitude" (The Legal 500, 2019)

“Strong team that is highly regarded in the sphere of contentious IP matters” (Chambers Global 2018)

“Unparalleled mastery in court proceedings” and “an extensive knowledge of IP regulations and Russian law” for IP, as well as an “appropriate advice in a timely manner” for TMT area. (The Legal 500 2017)

"A well-reputed", “practical and to the point advice”, "terrific problem-solving skills" (Chambers Europe 2017)

“The lawyers are efficient and have an international mentality and adjust to different jurisdictions" (Chambers Europe 2016)

The team has “outstanding cross-border capabilities which leverage the expertise of desks in Moscow, St Petersburg, Kiev and Belarus set EPAM apart from the pack” (WTR 1000 2016)

“We have found EPAM to be consistently responsive and commercially sensitive. The advice is clear, well written and pragmatic” (Chambers Europe 2015)

“This full-service corporate outfit has a sophisticated understanding of different regimes and pan-continental expertise on tap. Its A-to-Z offering includes an active transactional practice which excels in shepherding IP-rich deals to a favourable close”. “The trademark team is compact, but packs a mighty punch when it comes to infringement litigation” (WTR 1000 2015)

For more testimonials please follow the link.

Practice Members

Ilya Nikiforov

Ilya
Nikiforov

Moscow, St. Petersburg