As a leading Swiss business law firm, MLL Legal advises its clients in all traditional areas of commercial law such as M&A, finance, dispute resolution and intellectual property. In particular, MLL Legal stands out for its first-class industry expertise in technically innovative specialist areas such as fintech, blockchain and artificial intelligence, but also in regulated and innovative industries such as life sciences, telecommunications, financial services, real estate, retail and luxury. It is as a recognition for their work in these sectors in particular that MLL Legal’s specialists regularly feature in the most prestigious legal publications and lawyer rankings.

MLL Legal employs 250 people, including 150 lawyers, at its four Swiss offices in Zurich, Geneva, Zug and Lausanne, as well as at its international offices in London and Madrid.

Dedicated full-service IP practice

MLL Legal brings talent, expertise and solution-based teamwork to all IP issues. The members of the IP team rank among the leaders in IP law and have vast experience, primarily in Swiss but also in EU and German law. The firm’s IP specialists have extensive and wide-ranging experience in enforcing trademarks, copyright, designs and patents. The team also offers prosecution services for trademarks, designs and domain names, together with strategic advice and consultation on contracts, including antitrust matters. MLL Legal is a one-stop shop for all IP-related matters (excluding patent applications).

Trademarks, designs and unfair competition

MLL Legal performs the full range of trademark, design and domain name-related services in Switzerland and abroad, including registering, enforcing, opposing and defending these rights. MLL Legal has broad experience in the management of large portfolios and in counterfeiting cases.

The firm can also assist:

• in finding solutions under the new Swissness legislation (legal criteria regulating the use of Swiss goods and services);
• in developing and implementing trademark and design protection strategies;
• with litigation before all Swiss courts and authorities and coordination of international disputes;
• with IP-related arbitration (including domain name dispute arbitration);
• with the comprehensive management of entire IP portfolios;
• with unfair competition, design, trade dress and counterfeiting disputes;
• with the support of creative and design-focused companies, in particular advertising agencies, manufacturers of design products and photographers; and
• in providing sophisticated advice in the growing field of geographical indications.

Patents and the health industry

MLL Legal’s patent litigation team has outstanding expertise and experience in managing complex patent matters nationally, as well as in multiple jurisdictions, litigating before all Swiss courts and coordinating cross-border patent litigation. Advising and representing pharmaceutical companies in regulatory issues is also a primary team focus.

Copyright, technology, media and telecommunications

MLL Legal has been providing support and advice to technology companies and enterprises in the media and telecommunication industries for many years. The team at MLL Legal are also recognised by clients and peers as leading specialists in the area of privacy and data protection in Switzerland. The firm’s clients benefit from the team’s understanding of data protection laws in combination with their knowledge on the digitalisation of business activities and its legal and operative impacts.

The firm’s services comprise the following:

• advising software developers and IT service providers, as well as the users of such products and services (eg, outsourcing and IT security);
• advising on data protection topics in connection with software and mobile applications and cloud computing;
• advising media companies active in the classic media sector (eg, print, radio and television) and the new online media sector;
• supporting telecommunications companies in solving problems and exploiting the opportunities offered by the convergence of fixed-line networks, mobile radio communications and the Internet;
• ensuring compliance with relevant data protection rules of internet businesses, communities and ventures (eg, data protection guidelines, general terms and conditions and privacy policy);
• reviewing technology-focused due diligence;
• assisting with the financing, marketing and sale of technology-based solutions, technology-centric media and telecommunications companies; and
• assisting with the exchange of technology, in particular through licences and R&D agreements.

Languages

MLL Legal’s working languages include German, English, French and Spanish. Some of the firm’s professionals are also fluent in Italian and Portuguese.