Asian Legal Business continues to spotlight 15 leading IP practitioners across Asia who have excelled in the ever-evolving field of intellectual property. With a proven track record, they have established themselves as trusted advisors to clients, strong competitors among peers, and innovative leaders paving the way for others in the industry.

In the ever-evolving landscape of intellectual property law, the ALB Asia Top 15 IP Lawyers 2024 ranking stands as a beacon, illuminating the brightest minds in the field. This prestigious list showcases the crème de la crème of IP legal experts across Asia, recognising their outstanding contributions to the protection and advancement of intellectual property rights. The ranking serves as a crucial guide for businesses and individuals seeking top-tier legal representation in IP matters. It highlights lawyers who have demonstrated exceptional skill, innovation, and leadership in navigating the complex world of patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets.

India’s Pravin Anand, of Anand and Anand, stands as a colossus in the world of intellectual property law, his influence extending far beyond the borders of India. As the first Indian to be inducted into the prestigious IAM IP Hall of Fame, Anand has left an indelible mark on the global IP landscape. His practice, encompassing all facets of IP, has been instrumental in strengthening India's IP jurisprudence. Recognised as a "living legend" by leading publications, Anand's career is studded with landmark cases that have shaped the contours of IP law in India.

Anand's pioneering work includes securing India's first Anton Piller order in the HMV Gramophone Case, the country's first Mareva injunction order in the Philips Case, and the groundbreaking Norwich Pharmacal order in the Hollywood Cigarettes Case. These precedent-setting decisions have provided powerful tools for IP rights holders in India. His influence extends to cutting-edge areas of IP law, as evidenced by his work in the Pioneer Overseas Corporation Case, which paved the way for DNA testing in plant variety disputes.

In recent years, Anand has continued to break new ground. In a high-profile case involving the Japan Patent Office (JPO), he successfully secured an interim injunction against a company misusing the JPO's logo. The Delhi High Court's observation that this act was "akin to theft in a police station" underscores the gravity of IP infringement even against regulatory bodies. Anand's representation of Nokia in its dispute with Oppo led to India's first pro tem security order, setting a global precedent in SEP FRAND disputes. This landmark decision was upheld by the Supreme Court.

Mila Federis of Federis & Associates has emerged as a formidable force in the Philippines' intellectual property arena. Her expertise spans the full spectrum of IP law, from trademark and patent prosecution to enforcement and litigation. Federis has been at the forefront of shaping IP practice in the country, adapting to the digital age while upholding traditional IP principles.

Known for her strategic approach to IP protection, Federis has successfully represented numerous multinational corporations in high-stakes disputes. Her work has been particularly notable in securing landmark rulings that have redefined the landscape of IP law in the Philippines. One of her most significant achievements was obtaining a Supreme Court ruling that established the primacy of first registration in good faith over first use in good faith for trademark ownership. This decision, involving the "ZYNAPSE" mark, compelled a review of the Intellectual Property Code's intent and overturned previous precedents.

Federis' expertise extends to complex litigation matters, as evidenced by her recent successes for Universal City Studios. In one case, she successfully defended against a cancellation petition for the "Universal Records" mark, highlighting the importance of maintaining trademark registrations. In another, she secured the cancellation of a "Fast and Furious" mark registered by a third party, reinforcing the protection of well-known marks against bad faith registrations.

Her international experience, gained from working in a U.S. law firm, has provided Federis with a global perspective on IP issues. This cross-border expertise has proven invaluable in managing multinational IP portfolios and coordinating international trademark disputes. Federis' contributions extend beyond her legal practice; she is actively involved in professional organisations, regularly contributing to International Trademark Association (INTA) publications and participating in Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation IP rights consultations.

Under Federis' leadership, her firm has developed a reputation for innovative litigation strategies and successful settlement negotiations. Her approach balances the protection of clients' rights with practical solutions that align with business objectives. Notably, her team has secured decisions conferring famous status on several trademarks, significantly enhancing their legal protection against unauthorised use.

Tony Yeo has established himself as a preeminent figure in Singapore's intellectual property landscape, particularly in high-stakes patent litigation. His expertise spans a wide range of industries, from cutting-edge technology to pharmaceuticals, making him a go-to lawyer for complex IP disputes.

One of Yeo's most significant achievements was his successful defence of IIa Technologies, a leader in lab-grown diamond technology, against a patent infringement suit by Element Six Technologies, a De Beers Group subsidiary. This case, which concluded in 2024, was one of the most complex patent infringement cases ever heard by Singapore's courts. Yeo's leadership resulted in the revocation of the plaintiff's patents and a landmark costs award of 2.9 million Singapore dollars, setting a new precedent for patent litigation in Singapore.

Yeo's international reputation is evident in his involvement in cross-border patent disputes. He is currently representing a Fortune 10 company in a global patent litigation involving Bluetooth technology, with proceedings in both Singapore and Malaysia. In another ongoing case, Yeo is acting for Dyson Technology in a multi-jurisdictional patent infringement matter concerning the popular Dyson Airwrap product, with related litigation in the U.S., UK, South Korea, France, and Germany.

In the pharmaceutical sector, Yeo is leading patent linkage cases for major companies such as KuDOS Pharmaceuticals(an AstraZeneca subsidiary) and Eisai R&D Management. These cases involve complex legal issues and novel questions of patent infringement, potentially setting new precedents in Singapore's IP jurisprudence.

Yeo's expertise extends beyond litigation. He has served as an IP Adjudicator at the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore, notably in a significant trademark matter between Rolex and Franck Muller in 2020. This role demonstrates his deep understanding of IP law and his contribution to shaping Singapore's IP landscape.

Throughout his career, Yeo has consistently demonstrated an ability to handle technically complex cases, navigate multi-jurisdictional disputes, and achieve favourable outcomes for his clients. His work has not only protected individual clients' interests but has also contributed significantly to the development of IP law in Singapore and beyond.

METHODOLOGY

Criteria:

• Key work done in the past year and entire career
  • Role and responsibility
  • Type, scale, volume; value; complexity; impact on the market
  • Landmark/first-of-its-kind; involving innovativeness/breakthrough in particular elements 
• Key clients and feedback
• Market Reputation of the candidate
• Market Reputation of the firm