Though it was only founded in 2007, Mitrani Caballero Rosso Alba Francia Ojam & Ruiz Moreno Abogados has quickly made a name for itself as an important player in IP circles. The firm covers all areas of business law, but about one third of its practitioners work in its IP and technology department. Clients include SC Johnson, Starbucks, Amazon, Reed Elsevier Properties, Tenaris and the Pernod Ricard Group. The firm also began working with Converse in 2010. Some of its lawyers are admitted to practice in other countries as well as in Argentina, enabling them to provide international representation.
One client described the firm's work as "phenomenal", adding: "I respect their judgement – it's very practical. They don't run my bill up and they take the time to explain the process." Partner Juan Carlos Ojam, who was recently elected to the Argentina Association of Patent & Trademark Agents, was singled out for praise. One client said: "He has an extremely broad vision of IP worldwide. It was really enlightening working with him." Clients also spoke highly of Mercedes Bullrich, who was made a partner last year.
The firm represented Starbucks in a two-year negotiation with Coca-Cola. The soft drink giant opposed the coffee company's applications to register the mark Discoveries for drinks and related products. Coca-Cola claimed the name was too similar to its mark Discover, which is mostly used in connection with its Fanta brand. The dispute was settled in 2010 and Starbucks was able to register the mark to identify syrups, liquid and powder mixes for making beverages. The agreement does not stop Starbucks from using the trade mark Starbucks Discoveries on tea, cocoa and coffee-based drinks.
In another notable case, the firm last year recovered the domain name cabletech.com.br for the Brazilian company Cabletech after filing a request for transfer with the National Internet Registry in Argentina. Since the local business which had originally registered the domain name did not file a response, the address was transferred within 45 days, avoiding litigation which could have lasted two to three years. The firm also assisted its client Tenaris in persuading Google to remove some search results linking the name with pornographic images from third-party websites.