LegalBase‘s intellectual property practice is a port of call for global brand-related matters with a predominately international component. The team typically advises on a spectrum of mandates requiring expertise in brand protection issues, such as trade mark infringements, removing infringements online, and flagging online listings selling counterfeit products, often pursuing this on IP arbitration platform such as the World Intellectual Property Organisation. Ali Tyebkhan heads the department and is noted for his ‘very commercial and practical approach’. Sudath Perera has over 30 years of experience in IP matters, and both Natasha Burhan and Sashika Anandappa are further key practitioners for international mandates.

The IP and brand protection department at Sudath Perera Associates is praised for its ‘cutting edge solutions to complex issues’, particularly those involving copyright infringements. Reflecting its broad expertise, the team predominately advises high-profile clients in civil and criminal litigation against infringing entities involved in a number of issues, including product counterfeiting, civil injunctions, enjoining orders, and other disputes. Founding partner Sudath Perera co-heads the department alongside the ‘transparent and solution oriented’ co-head Himani Perera. In addition, Manoj Bandara is a specialist in the team’s civil litigation matters, while Deshan Hewavithana is often retained in criminal-adjacent matters such as brand protection and anti-counterfeiting. Nathaya Nanayakkara is a key practitioner in anti-counterfeiting and anti-piracy actions.

D. L. & F. De Saram‘s IP offering oversees complex and high-value trade mark mandates, including trade mark registration domestically and abroad, advice on patent filing, as well as managing the trade mark portfolios of prominent multinationals. Prabash De Saram has been with the firm for over 20 years and has a broad practice across corporate, IP, finance and tax law. He co-leads the IP department with Hasanthie Manukulasooriya. Associate Manavi Seneviratne is a key member of the team, especially in trade mark and patent-related matters.

F. J. & G. De Saram has an intellectual property division that is noted for its capacity to ‘very efficiently’ resolve contentious trade mark and copyright infringement litigation, particularly in the education, NGO and entertainment sectors. The team is highly proficient in matters pertaining to trade marks, including domestic and foreign registration, renewals and contentious matters. Senior partner Shehara Varia co-heads the practice with Upekha Senaratne and Jayathri Kulatilleke. Shevanthi Perera holds significant experiencing advising clients in patent-related matters, while associates Tania Fernando and Rosy Vanlangenberg are key ports of call for trade mark applications. Drushika Amirthanayagam is a highly active member of the team, particularly in the team’s contentious matters.

Neelakandan & Neelakandan (formerly Murugesu & Neelakandan)‘s IP department is retained by clients in a broad spectrum of mandates, including contentious matters pertaining to copyright infringement and cease-and-desist requests, as well as non-contentious trade mark applications and portfolio management. Pranavan Neelakandan co-heads the team with Sivananthavalli ThuraRaja. Both are considered ports of call for intellectual property matters by high-profile multinational clients, including BMW and Tesco. Associate Nivedhaa Hariharan is a key member of the team, and handles both contentious and non-contentious matters.

Nithya Partners‘ intellectual property offering handles a range of trade mark-related matters, including infringements, registration, and policy. The team is equally adept at pursuing contentious matters as they are in mediating across parties to achieve favourable outcomes in matters involving misuse of trade marks and patents. Chamindi Ekanayake advises both local and international clients in trade mark and IP strategies. He heads up the practice alongside Chanaka de Silva, PC.

Noted as ‘well versed in Sri Lankan procedure’, the intellectual property offering at John Wilson Partners is proficient in several areas of trade mark and copyright matters, in particular advising clients on the registration of trade mark ownership, as well as litigation regarding the sale of counterfeit products and transfer of sensitive IP information. The ‘very knowledgeable’ John Wilson co-heads the team with Sameendra Perera, who oversees the department’s operations along with advisory matters.

Tiruchelvam Associates‘ IP practice is retained by domestic and international clients for IP-related matters, and is especially active in the management and transfer of IP portfolios, IP due diligence and IP-related advise in ongoing transactions, including those with foreign IP regulations. Partner Ramani Muttettuwegama co-heads the team with associates Michael Paiva, who is especially active in advisory roles, Adheeba Ilyas and Ashvini Prabakaran, who joined the team in October 2023.