The excellent reputation of the litigation capacity of Zhongzi Law Office has earned the firm a top-tier ranking in the patent and trade mark contentious tables. This stable operation is acknowledged for its appearance in high-profile litigation. The most noteworthy example in recent years is its representation of German bus maker Neoplan in a design patent infringement case against local rival Zonda Industrial Group. The client sued Zonda for copying the design of its bus and won Rmb21.16 million ($3 million) in damages in 2009. Zonda appealed last year by filing a new invalidation request against Neoplan's design patent and the Zhongzi team continues to defend the German automaker.
"We have very positive experience of Zhongzi Law Office," says a client. Managing partner Lin Bonan and partner Chen Xuemin are recommended. Lin is described by a client as "the grandfather of patent lawyers in China" while another notes that Chen is "very capable". Partner Yang Xiaoguang commands respect from peers as a first-class litigator in China too. BASF, IBM, Toyota, Nestlé and Novartis are some of the companies it has advised recently.