IP boutique David do Nascimento Advogados Associados maintains a noteworthy presence in São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. Clients of the firm, which was founded in 1970, include Disney, Procter & Gamble, Adidas, Sandoz and Akzo Nobel. The practice also recently acquired the patent prosecution portfolio of Phillips.
The firm is well known for its enforcement work. In January 2010, it represented Adidas against retailers at a notorious counterfeiting centre in São Paulo. The enterprise, named Galeria Pajé, is a high-profile textiles market operating under a complicated rental agreement, which made IP rights difficult to enforce. The firm requested a preliminary search and seizure order and filed a civil lawsuit on behalf of the sportswear giant, seeking to ban the defendants from selling the pirated goods under penalty of a daily fine and corresponding damages. The court ruled in favour of Adidas, recognising the responsibility of landlords for goods that are sold in their establishments, even if the operation is being run by their tenants. The case received significant media coverage and the firm's attorney Wellington de Oliveira was interviewed on Brazilian television.
Competitors reported that the firm has received increasing exposure in recent years. "I think it has a lot of work going on," said one competitor.
Partner Marcello do Nascimento coordinates the professional training course for trainee trade mark agents, which is rendered by the National Association of IP agents (ABAPI). Do Nascimento has also represented the Intellectual Property Association of São Paulo (ASPI) in discussions held by the Brazilian Trademark Office over reviewing proposed guidelines for examination of trade marks. These are expected to be issued in the near future.