Baker McKenzie acts for a stellar roster of clients, among them international streaming services and global tech giants.  The lead partners are José María Méndez in Madrid (who is ‘of a very high professional quality and is capable of coordinating the work with other areas of the firm or other countries’) and Cristina Duch in Barcelona, who leads the firm’s EMEA brand enforcement and disputes group. Also in Madrid, María Dolores Garayalde is recommended for portfolio management work.

The ‘solid and experienced‘ IP practice at Clifford Chance draws on the firm’s extensive international network to handle high-value copyright matters for international investors and blue-chip companies. Its work encompasses the acquisition of interests in the rights of major brands and sporting teams, as well as copyright litigation and arbitration, regional enforcement and licensing programmes. The vastly experienced Miquel Montañá leads the practice, which is based in the firm’s Barcelona office, and specialises in contentious matters and competition law. IP and unfair competition litigator Josep Montefusco, who has a niche in advertising law, and ‘exceptional‘ senior associate Juan Cuerva de Cañas are the other key names to note.

Cuatrecasas is home to a sizeable IP team which handles some of the most sophisticated copyright matters in Spain. The intellectual and industrial property, and trade secrets group is well versed in both complex litigation proceedings and transactional matters. Albert Agustinoy in Barcelona, who acts for numerous multinational e-commerce and IT operators, and intangible protection and transfer expert Álvaro Bourkaib in Madrid are the lead practitioners. Rafael Sánchez Aristi frequently advises radio and television bodies, cinemas, and hotel chains on the negotiation of rates with large-scale owners of copyrighted material. IP litigator Jorge Llevat and Alejandro Negro, who focuses on IP, data protection, and new technologies, also play pivotal roles in the practice.

ECIJA‘s sizeable IP practice, which works as part of a large international network and has recently formed an alliance with technology and life sciences firm Taylor Wessing LLP, is ‘fully available and very proactive‘. The firm is best known for its work in TV and film rights, though it has a stellar client roster that spans fashion, retail, music, telecoms and many other sectors. Managing partner Alejandro Touriño is the principal practitioner for copyright matters, though founding partner and chairman Hugo Écija is an expert in media and new technologies, and Elena Ordúñez is a key adviser on IP issues arising from audiovisual projects. Entertainment law partner Helena Suárez, digital transformation specialist Cristina Villasante, and senior associate Carlos Rivadulla also play pivotal roles in the practice. Sandra Garcia, who joined from Auren in October 2022, brings skills in copyright and patent litigation.

Led by ‘fast, brilliant and super practical‘ IP and digital business partner Carolina Pina and experienced IP prosecutor João Miranda de Sousa, Garrigues' IP practice stands out for its strength in both contentious and advisory work. Whether advising on infringement, commercial contracts, M&A deals, filings, portfolio management, or emerging issues such as AI, neural marketing, NFTs or augmented reality, the firm ‘delivers pragmatic advice‘. The copyright lawyers frequently act for internet platforms, content providers, sports organisers, fashion/retail companies, and clients in the automotive sector. IP and technology litigator Cristina Mesa, newly promoted art and entertainment law partner Antonio Muñoz, and associate Ricardo López Alzaga all play significant roles in the firm’s high-profile matters.

Bird & Bird's IP group works with teams across the firm’s international network to assist blue-chip companies in sectors as diverse as food and beverage, media, chemicals and apparel. Clients report ‘a great team, with very specialised knowledge, great quality of service, excellent responses and flexibility‘. Setting the tone are lead partners José Miguel Lissén and Mariano Santos, and counsel Antonio Cueto, who focuses predominantly on trade secrets. Counsel Manuel Lobato handles IP litigation and strategic advice, and associates Maria Fernandez and Marta Arteaga also play central roles in the firm’s most significant matters.

Elzaburu has a multidisciplinary practice that provides comprehensive advice to holders of copyright in many sectors of the entertainment industry, notably theatre, motion pictures, television, and live shows. Handling both domestic and cross-border matters, it is especially well known for its strong capabilities in IP litigation. The firm also stands out for its busy antipiracy team, which works in close cooperation with customs, police, prosecutors, and courts. Lead legal and business partner Javier Fernández-Lasquetty, head of media and entertainment Mabel Klimt, litigation partner Enrique Armijo, and head of anti-counterfeiting Juan José Caselles are the main contacts. Former head of litigation Antonio Castán retired in 2023.

Highly regarded boutique Grau & Angulo frequently works in cross-border IP mandates alongside international law firms. Its diverse range of work encompasses trade mark, patent, design and copyright litigation, as well as advice on domain names, licensing, unfair competition and anti-counterfeiting. In the copyright area, its client roster consists of major businesses in the automotive, media, entertainment, telecoms, content creation, healthcare, and fashion industries. Lead partner Ignacio Marqués provides ‘good and practical advice‘ on transactional matters. Litigation partners Maite Ferrandiz and Sonia Santos are central to the practice.

Gómez-Acebo & Pombo is known for its ‘attention to detail and client-oriented  service'. The lead partners are Jesús Muñoz-Delgado, who handles the protection and enforcement of copyright, as well as technology transfer matters, and experienced litigator Sofía Martínez-Almeida. They oversee a broad range of copyright, digital business and technology work including advisory, contractual, regulatory, transactional and contentious matters for a diverse range of clients, among them international gaming and technology companies, food and beverage giants, fashion houses, and media businesses. The firm is also growing demand for its niche advice on artificial intelligence, blockchain, virtual and augmented reality, deepfakes, the metaverse, and NFTs. Senior associate Bárbara Sainz De Vicuña is active in copyright enforcement.

 

Santiago Mediano Abogados is known for its in-depth understanding of the media and entertainment industries, where it handles an impressive volume of copyright and trade market matters. The firm handles advisory work concerning technology transfer contracts and licensing agreements, but is better known for its IP litigation credentials. Founding partner and IP specialist Santiago Mediano leads the practice, supported by standout pre-litigation adviser Raúl Bercovitz. Litigator Francisco Arroyo, whose long career encompasses more than 400 judicial proceedings, and associate Manuel García Espín, who specialises in enforcement matters, also stand out.

Uría Menéndez is a key adviser to companies in the pharmaceutical, electronics, software, food, textile, homecare products, education and retail sectors. The copyright team, which is part of the firm’s digital law group, is known for its ‘high technical level and commitment‘ in both advisory work and litigation. Blending expertise in IP, IT and unfair competition, Montiano Monteagudo in Barcelona and Madrid-based partners Carles Vendrell, Ingrid Pi, and Borja Sainz de Aja lead the practice. Vendrell in particular has a strong focus on copyright and neighbouring rights disputes. Counsel Francisco Javier García, who frequently acts for companies in the advertising and fashion industries, is another name to note in the team.

With the ability to handle a broad range of IP work for international clients, CMS Albiñana y Suárez de Lezo is singled out for its strong performance in copyright litigation. In addition to contentious matters, the group is also well positioned to advise on transfer agreements, publishing contracts, software licensing and film rights assignment. Known for its experience in the media and technology sectors, the practice is led by litigator María González Gordon, who is ‘dedicated and builds trust‘. Counsel Ricardo Gómez-Barreda, who handles both contentious and non-contentious work, and Jaime Bello play central roles in the practice.

Litigator José Antonio Sanmartín leads the IP practice at HOYNG ROKH MONEGIER which is noted for its expertise in cross-border litigation. Sanmartín is well versed in procedural law, handling IP litigation in both civil and criminal matters. Álvaro Velázquez is a key adviser to start-up companies in the technology sector. Former practice heads Franz Ruz and Juan José Marín and associate Ignacio Paz-Ares are no longer at the firm.

IP boutique Pedro Alemán Abogados handles significant copyright for major domestic and international corporates. Noted for its expertise in the audiovisual sector, the firm is sought after by TV and film production companies, though its work spans many diverse industries. Founding partner Pedro Alemán Laín, head of TMT Javier Martínez Bavière (who has ‘the ability to merge and nuance Spanish and EU corporate and IP complexities‘), and foreign trade and customs management expert Miguel Ángel Gómez Nix are the key contacts.

Pérez-Llorca continues to build its presence in the IP and technology market, thanks to its ‘experience, reputation and deep understanding of where industry regulation is today‘. IP litigator Eduardo Castillo and technology and intangible assets specialist Andy Ramos Gil De La Haza (who is ‘the most prominent and best games lawyer in Spain‘) lead the practice. Ramos recently assisted Fútbol Club Barcelona with the sale of Metaverse, NFT and web3 rights to Socios.com, which included an in-depth analysis of the rights that the club was entitled to offer based on previous agreements with sponsors and other third parties. Associate Diego de la Vega also plays a key role in the practice.

The IP practice at Baylos advises on transactional and strategic matters, as well as copyright litigation, and it counts among its clients high-profile companies in the media, and food and beverage sectors. Practice head David Gómez has extensive experience in participating and coordinating global litigations. The team also features prominent partners in litigator Pedro Merino Baylos, IP portfolio management expert Juan Luis Gracia, and authorised EUIPO representative Fernando Rodríguez. Ana Padial, who joined from the Barcelona office of Arochi & Lindner, SC in March 2023, brings experience in a wide variety of pre-judicial and judicial disputes.

The IP and technology practice at DLA Piper, which is led by vastly experienced IP, data and marketing law partner Diego Ramos, counts emerging technology and pharmaceutical companies, as well as established banks and financial institutions among its clients. The firm recently acted for Pfizer in matters concerning the protection of copyrighted materials and the licensing of software applications. Paula González De Castejón, who handles pharmaceutical law, IP, data protection, gaming, contractual law and e-business matters, led that work.

Eversheds Sutherland‘s entertainment, media and IT group spans a global network of more than 60 offices, in which the Madrid office plays a vital role. Vicente Arias is a key adviser to the entertainment industry and counts global music publishing businesses among his clients. His work includes advice on local and international copyright law, as well as contract negotiation and litigation concerning intangible assets. Associate Lara Barrasa focuses on new technologies.