Largest ever MIP survey reveals the world’s leading patent firms

Managing IP’s annual research into the leading IP firms worldwide is now into its 20^th year. The patent rankings have been released in the February issue of the magazine, to be followed by trade marks in March and copyright in April.

Among the changes this year are several splits in Asia, with Ella Cheong Spruson & Ferguson ending their partnership in Singapore for example. The mergers with Australian firms have also led to some changes, with Freehills Patent Attorneys being the stand-out case – despite splitting from the litigation side of the firm, which merged with Herbert Smith, its work saw it promoted to the top tier.

In the UK law firm Powell Gilbert was promoted to tier 1, finally on a par with Bristows – the firm it split from in 2007. Withers & Rogers was promoted in patent prosecution. Meanwhile in Germany Quinn Emmanuel’s strong work for Samsung, under the new team lead by Marcus Grosch, led to it climbing the rankings for the second year in a row.

The full rankings can be seen by Managing IP subscribers here. Readers can also take a free trial to gain access for a limited period.

This was the most in-depth research Managing IP has ever undertaken, with new elements including state-by-state analysis of firms across the United States and leading practitioners recommended for the first time.

This year the researchers behind the rankings have also written features around the issues they came across, from how the prosecution industry in Europe is changing to the way big US filers distribute their work.

The trade mark rankings in the March issue will also be accompanied by three features analysing China, the mergers in Australia and new IP courts in Europe.

Managing IP’s annual rankings of leading firms are based on extensive research by a dedicated team in London, New York and Hong Kong. Researchers contact all the listed firms, as well as other practitioners and clients, to rank the leading practices in tiers, according to market perceptions.

The tables do not necessarily rank the oldest or largest firms, and are not based on filing statistics.

No results are released before publication and no firm can pay to be included.

Read the full methodology here.