Vellani & Vellani’s leading Intellectual Property (IP) practice comprises of specialist lawyers and experienced trademark, copyright, patent and design professionals.  Our team routinely handles many of the most significant IP matters across Pakistan, representing major clients in the fields of pharmaceuticals, consumer goods, retail, oil and gas, telecommunications and information technology.
 
The firm’s involvement with committees of associations such as the International Trademark Association (INTA), Asian Patent Attorneys Association (APAA), International Association for the Protection of Intellectual Property (AIPPI)) combined with attendance at international IP events, ensures that our lawyers remain up to date with international developments in the area of IP law.

The Firm’s IP (Intellectual Property) practice covers the following:

Patents & Designs

Consultancy services in relation to searches concerning the patentability of new inventions, opinions regarding the validity and scope of previously issued patents, and infringement investigations to determine if an article or process infringes a valid patent. The Firm also offers comprehensive services in preparing, filing and prosecuting patent and design applications, oppositions and infringement litigation.

Trademarks

The Firm serves its clients in every phase of the adoption and protection of trademarks. This includes the carrying out of searches at the Trade Marks Registry for clearance and determining registrability of a mark, preparation of trade mark applications and representation of the client through every step of the process leading to the grant of registration and also attends to renewal of trademarks.  The Firm also provides watch services, which allow opposing registration of conflicting marks, which could damage a client's rights, and also serve to detect possible infringements. The firm provides a full range of legal services in the context of disputes such as actions for trade mark infringements and passing-off.

Copyright

Services offered to clients in the copyright field include infringement reviews, counselling and litigation, and registration for all types of works. The Firm represents both domestic and foreign copyright owners. The presence of the Copyright Office in Karachi, allows the firm to quickly file to register and protect the copyrights of its clients or research the facts behind an infringement claim.

Domain Names

The firm provides assistance in the registration of Internet Domain Names under the .PK domain as well as services with regards to use of clients Trade Marks as Domain Names under the .PK domain.

Licensing & Franchising

Foreign and domestic licensing and assignment of various rights including patent, trade secret, trademark, copyright and "know-how".  Services offered to clients about franchising include advice relating to the setting up, operation and management of franchises in Pakistan, the licensing requirements, the protection of intellectual property rights, investments and foreign exchange regulations, taxation and other regulatory requirements, as well as issues regarding real estate and monopolies, and in this connection drafting of franchise, trademark and distributor/license agreements and leasing agreements.

Significant clients we work with include:

• Unilever PLC
• Abbott Group of Companies
• Alcon Inc.
• Alibaba Group Holding Limited
• AmazonInc.
• Chanel Limited
• Disney Enterprises Inc.
• Exxon Mobil Corporation
• F. Hoffmann-La Roche AG
• GSK/GSK Pakistan
• MasterCard International
• McDonald’s Corporation
• Merck Group
• Mondelez International
• Novartis AG
• Pfizer Inc.
• Philip Morris Group of Companies
• Reckitt Group
• Richemont International SA
• Sandoz AG/Sandoz International GmbH
• Starbucks Corporation