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De Penning & De Penning

India

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Key practice areas
Intellectual property
Trade mark disputes
Trade mark
Patent
Patent prosecution
Trade mark prosecution
Firm overview

The name De Penning & De Penning has been synonymous with innovative legal solutions in the intellectual property (IP) field. Our founder, George Alfred De Penning, was a civil engineer and inventor who became the first person in India to file a petition for grant of exclusive privileges under the relevant legislation.

Just as his law firm would grow to be, George Alfred De Penning was an innovator who understood the importance of safeguarding ideas and their creators. His petition was officially registered as the first grant of 1856, and he went on to file many more over the course of his life.
His experience in filing these petitions led George Alfred De Penning to recognize the difficulties with the process that inventors faced. Driven to protect the hard work of his fellow innovators, he established De Penning & De Penning in 1856, entwining the history of the firm with IP law in India forever.

More than 165 years later, De Penning & De Penning remains true to its foundations and continues to protect creators and the wide variety of material they produce. Always with a De Penning family member at its helm, the firm has expanded from its birthplace, Calcutta, and is now headquartered in Chennai, with branches in Kolkata, Mumbai, Delhi and Bengaluru.

Address:
120, Velachery Main Rd, Little Mount, Guindy
Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600032
Tel:+91 44 4221 3444 Email:Contact Us Web Address:https://depenning.com/
2026 Edition
Patent prosecution
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Overview

De Penning & De Penning is one of the India's oldest established intellectual property law firms, founded in 1856. It offers comprehensive IP services and excels in patent prosecution.  

Notable patent practitioners: Anand Barnabas, Divya Shekhar, R P Bhattacharya, Solomon J David 

Notable soft IP practitioners: Malavika T Vikram 

 
Testimonials

2026

"The IP litigation service delivers strong technical competence, particularly in navigating complex patent and trademark disputes. Their ability to anticipate risks and craft well-supported arguments gives me confidence in our legal position."

"They are quick to answer questions, provide clear explanations, and keep us well-informed from initial filing through prosecution."

"The advisory team’s guidance is consistently well-reasoned and supported by strong technical and legal expertise."

"My broader experience with De Penning & De Penning’s biotechnology and chemistry patent team has been consistently excellent. The firm demonstrates a high level of professionalism, efficiency, technical expertise, and client-focused service.

In particular, Ms. Anitha Elizabeth has provided outstanding support across various patent matters, including drafting, filing in India, PCT and other foreign jurisdictions, prosecution, hearings, and portfolio management. Her technical insight, responsiveness, and careful management of procedural requirements make the overall filing and prosecution process smooth and dependable.

Overall, the firm has proven exceptionally reliable, with a clear commitment to quality and client satisfaction."

"De Penning & De Penning are very hands‑on and reliable in managing the evidentiary side of litigation. The team has been instrumental in coordinating and compiling extensive documentation, including a large set of affidavits from our suppliers, which is critical in Indian litigation."

"De Penning & De Penning have a strong, end‑to‑end understanding of our trademark and design portfolio in India, as they handle the entirety of our filings and prosecution work. The team is very familiar with our rights and business context, which makes their advice practical and well‑targeted."

"We value De Penning & De Penning’s direct, pragmatic advisory style and their strong knowledge of Indian IP law and local practice. Their advice is clear, to the point, and grounded in how matters are handled in practice before the Indian authorities and courts."

Solomon J David

"He's responsive, flexible, and he promptly takes care of tasks in due course."

Anitha Elizabeth

"Ms. Anitha Elizabeth stands out for her strong technical understanding and her ability to translate complex patent issues into clear, practical advice. She is particularly effective in analysing office actions from both Indian and international patent offices and in recommending sensible strategies for addressing objections."

Malavika T Vikram

"Malavika T Vikram provides exceptionally sharp and insightful strategic guidance. Her comments are consistently thoughtful and reflect a deep understanding of Indian IP law and local practice, supported by very strong legal reasoning. Even where she is not directly involved in day‑to‑day handling, her input adds significant value and clarity to complex matters."

"Malavika Vikram consistently provides clear, accurate guidance and communicates updates promptly, which helps us stay aligned and confident in the work being carried out."

Linked Reviews
Patent

Recent work studies show the team securing patents for clients including Global Coconut Farmers Producer CompanyKubota Corporation, and Heraeus Electro-Nite International N.V. 

Anukarthiga Vasudevan joined the team in 2025 as a Patent Drafting Specialist. 

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