IP Handbook - Home
The comprehensive guide to the world's leading tax firms

Awapatent strengthens its position in the market each year and is one of the few firms that emerged from the economic crisis a more formidable competitor. The firm has a network through Scandinavia, good relations with local and US firms and a well-regarded internal training scheme. The firm has been especially active in the pharmaceutical and mechanical fields, handling prosecution, IP strategy and litigation. Among other work, European trade mark attorney Thorbjørn Swanstrøm appeared before the Court of Justice of the EU (CJ) in trade mark litigation on behalf of Danish State Railways, and worked with European patent attorney Mikkel Roed Trier to provide Pandora with strategic counselling on patents, trade marks, designs, portfolio management, prosecution and enforcement. European patent attorney Torben Ravn Rasmussen advised a number of generic companies through the year, including Ratiopharm against Norpharma regarding the drug oxycodone, and Hexal against Procter & Gamble. "I'm particularly satisfied with [European patent attorney] Sidsel Hauge," says a client. "Since she took over she has been working hard on learning about our products and our business and is therefore very valuable when discussing what and how to protect. She gives us very qualified sparring when writing new applications." In 2010, managing partner Peter Indahl was appointed a member of the standing panel of expert technical judges at the Danish Maritime and Commercial Court (specialising in patent disputes).

Awapatent continued to grow in 2010 and increased its share of patent prosecution to about 26%, making it as big as Albihns. It also held its position in IP litigation and trade mark prosecution. "Awapatent distinguishes itself above the rest by its robust advocacy, sound legal advice, and genuine understanding of our business and technology," says its client InterDigital.

Among its attributes, the firm has a strong internal training programme, a number of lawyers who are appointed expert technical judges in patent cases, and a large contingent of European patent attorneys. Notably, CEO Magnus Hallin is chairman of The Association of IP Law Firms in Sweden. Another client praises the firm's web-based portfolio management, and adds that "advice always seems well considered and balanced, but the firm is still very responsive and always delivers promptly".

In 2010, Lars Pettersson, Peter Kenamets, Dan Henriksson and Malin Wennberg defended Fagerdala World Foams in a patent infringement and invalidation case that boosted the company's business in Germany and won damages in Sweden. Robin Berzelius, Pettersson and Bo Davidsson advised Doppio International against Twinnovation for the design of a vacuum nozzle and the firm also helped Novartis obtain an SPC on the drug valsartan. In the design field, Ted Hafman defended VBG Group in the Court of Appeal for Western Sweden against an invalidation claim for a design registration.

One client recommends partner Magnus Johannson for his "solid technical background": he "is an outstanding lawyer, with strong business acumen."