Bulgaria

Firm overview

Zivko Mijatovic & Partners (ZMP) is a full-service IP law firm, established in 1939 in Belgrade, Yugoslavia, as a general practice law firm. It has grown progressively and today consists of 15 offices in 14 European countries. The overall protection of all IP rights, including prosecution, enforcement and litigation, is provided through the network of ZMP offices covering the Balkan Peninsula and Central and Eastern Europe, with a liaison office in Alicante, Spain, providing legal services in relation to European trademarks and designs and IP legal services in Spain. Over the last 30 years, ZMP’s primary activity has been the protection, via prosecution and litigation, of all IP rights.

The firm has gained reputation for having stellar and efficient services in the region. ZMP is known for being a creative, open and straightforward firm, with a meticulous approach tailored to the client’s needs. ZMP’s constant presence in Central and Eastern Europe means that clients receive immediate and simultaneous service across the region, simply by contacting one of the offices. That is why the service provided by ZMP is unique in the region.

ZMP offers a full range of IP services, providing legal assistance and advice on the protection of IP rights and management and enforcement of the same across Central and Eastern Europe. Services include filing and prosecution of IP rights; searches and watching services; IP portfolio management; dispute resolution; advice and representation in infringement and enforcement matters. ZMP and its attorneys are authorized to represent clients before judicial authorities, IP offices, customs offices and different administrative authorities of the countries in which the firm’s offices are located.

ZMP is particularly active in matters of counterfeiting and piracy. Given that the Western Balkans, due to its geographical location, is a gateway to the EU market and a fertile ground for the production and distribution of counterfeit goods, Rights' holders are advised to consider the measures available across the region and contemplate implementing a strategy that recognizes the root of the problem and provides a long-term solution. Countries of the Western Balkans should be considered as a single region. ZMP is uniquely positioned to provide this service through its network of tightly linked local offices. The firm has therefore introduced a “Customs Package” whereby it handles customs applications, seizures and destruction of all counterfeit products flowing through the countries of former Yugoslavia and Albania (eight jurisdictions in total) through only one point of contact, thus saving costs, avoiding heavy administrative burdens and consolidating customs matters with one agent.

As part of the firm´s business growth strategy, ZMP is more active on social media, dynamic, approachable and always on alert on the virtual space to detect any kind of unfair competition in the market through typo squatting, metatags, spamming and cybersquatting because we focus on our clients and consumer protection. ZMP strives towards corporate responsibility, through sponsorship activities and the number of professionals employed in our offices has increased by a minimum of 10% annually, with constant investment in education.

Network Memberships:
INTA, ECTA, AIPPI, MARQUES, PTMG

Firm overview

Djingov, Gouginski, Kyutchukov & Velichkov (DGKV) is one of the largest and most experienced business law firms in Bulgaria, highly ranked by both clients and partners. Founded in 1994 by the four name partners, the firm currently employs 60 lawyers, including 17 partners, and maintains offices in Sofia and Berlin. The firm provides a full range of business-related legal services to international and domestic corporate clients. As one of the leaders on the Bulgarian legal market, DGKV has a well-established IP practice.

We represent and provide consultation and advice on all aspects of intellectual property including registration, preservation, and enforcement of patents, trademarks, designs, geographical indications, copyright, plant variety rights and trade secrets, execution of licensing, transfer of technology and know-how contracts. Our law firm conducts intellectual property and information technology due diligence and audit, provides trademark, design and patent maintenance services, advises on portfolio structuring, conducts pre-registration searches, and represents clients in complex cases involving infringement of intellectual property rights.

The Practice Group is staffed with certified patent and trademark attorneys and fully qualified lawyers, in representing clients before the courts of all instances, the customs authorities, the Bulgarian Patent Office and other competent local authorities, the Competition Protection Commission, WIPO and EUIPO.

We have excellent understanding of the Trademark and IP issues faced by industries from food and beverages production and distribution to automotive, energy, pharma, telecommunications, tobacco, entertainment, software development, cosmetics, chemicals, technology, accommodation, retail.

Currently, DGKV’s IP team manages more than 6 100 national, international and EU trademarks for clients from various industries.

DGKV’s lawyers are recognized leaders in the field of IP law, providing unparalleled guidance to both start-ups. The lawyers of the team have excellent understanding of the Trademark and IP issues faced by industries from food and beverages production and distribution to automotive, energy, pharma, telecommunications, tobacco, entertainment, software development, cosmetics, chemicals, technology, and accommodation.

DGKV’s IP practice has grown significantly over the past several years. We have attracted a myriad of new international and domestic clients and have had great feedback from both clients and partners. Our work is valued for our expertise, extensive knowledge, efficiency, and honesty.

The head of the practice Ms. Kalina Tchakarova, who is the Partner, heading the IP and Pharma Regulatory practice groups at DGKV.

The team consists of 6 fully qualified attorneys.

Firm overview

CWB emerged as an unrivalled super-regional firm in 2023 following the merger of leading regional IP specialists Cedar White Bradley, PETOŠEVIĆ Group and Hahn & Hahn with 29 offices, 150 practitioners, and 250 employees, CWB now services and manages the portfolios of some of the world's leading IP owners across 100+ jurisdictions in Africa, Central Asia, Eastern Europe, and the Middle East.

Through an unrivalled footprint of offices and affiliated offices, we offer centrally managed IP solutions and dedicated client-specific, cross-jurisdiction teams. We blend the best advanced IP practices and the local know-how to deliver consistent quality service across a large geographical area, despite all the challenges posed by the countries we operate in.

CWB provides a full spectrum of IP services related to virtually all IP rights, as well as brand management and brand enforcement services. Our teams protect thousands of IP rights for market leading clients across a large section of industries. We also have a Media & Entertainment team, which provides highly specialized support to clients navigating local regulatory landscapes in fields such as film production, content streaming, crypto, advertising, data protection, social media, software licensing and music usage.

CWB is thinking beyond the technology available today to transform the IP services industry. We are implementing the most innovative technologies and leveraging automation and AI to enhance the client and employee experience and to achieve industry-leading efficiencies.

CWB Office Locations

Africa: Egypt, South Africa (Pretoria and Western Cape), Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe
Central Asia: Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan
Central & Eastern Europe: Albania, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Hungary, Kosovo (UNSCR 1244), Luxembourg, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia, Ukraine
Middle East: Bahrain, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Qatar, United Arab Emirates (Abu Dhabi and Dubai)

IP Practice Specialisms

CWB provides a full spectrum of intellectual property services related to trademarks, patents, utility models, industrial designs, copyright; domain names, trade secrets and other IP rights, as well as brand management and brand enforcement services. CWB teams file, prosecute, register, and enforce thousands of IP rights for market leading and globally renowned clients across a large section of industries, including consumer electronics, automotive, tobacco, pharmaceuticals, confectionery, FMCG, property development, luxury brands, fashion and cosmetics.

Firm overview

The PM&P team has a long track record of creating winning strategies to protect and manage Intellectual property rights. The respect of Intellectual property rights allows businesses to grow more efficiently, to build their own identity and take leading market positions. Our services cover the full range of Intellectual property works such as trademarks and designs, geographical indications, patents for inventions, utility models, copyright and related rights, protection of know-how, trade secrets, domains. PM&P provides representation before the Patent Office of the Republic of Bulgaria, the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO), the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).