The WTR 1000 focuses exclusively on trademark practice and has firmly established itself as the definitive 'go-to' resource for those seeking world-class legal trademark expertise
Silver - Individuals
Led by the litigator of the same name, Răzvan Dincă & Asociaţii has long been a bright star in the Romanian trademark firmament. IP is the cornerstone of a broad offering encompassing everything from banking to real estate; and commercially attuned counsel and a collaborative spirit are hallmarks of its service. HBO and Universal Music are among the names which appreciate its flawless trademark filings and assistance in oppositions; it also recently went out to bat for Renault in an infringement dispute against several spare part distributors. Vlad Stanese has captained the prosecution practice since 2020, but also lends a hand in litigation and has a wealth of unfair competition knowledge to boot. Hotshot litigator Irina Speciac is similarly well versed in competition matters, with a fine-grained understanding of the pharmaceutical sector. Setting the standard for this all-star team is Răzvan Dincă himself. The dean of the law faculty at the University of Bucharest, he impresses all who encounter him: “A prominent academic figure with a complex legal mind, Răzvan is a strong attorney in court with a brilliant reputation.”
Vlad Stanese joined Răzvan Dincă & Asociații immediately after graduating from the Faculty of Law – University of Bucharest in 2014. Now a managing associate and the head of IP prosecution practice, he has gained considerable experience in IP and media law.
His most recent professional experience includes the following:
- assisting a renowned French automotive manufacturer in a number of parallel imports cases;
- representing a food manufacturer in a series of trademark and designs litigations;
- assisting one of the largest subscription television services in the world with continuous IP and contracts advice;
- advising one of the biggest European coffee producers in a number of trademark infringement cases;
- assisting a Russian oil company in multiple patent-related litigations;
- counselling a Chinese tobacco company in relation to the annulment of a series of trademark infringement-based border measures;
- advising and representing an important Chinese electronics conglomerate in trademark infringement cases;
- advising and representing one of the most popular football clubs in Romania in trademark cancellation, infringement and opposition proceedings before the EUIPO and Romanian courts;
- handling the biggest trademark and design portfolio owned by a Romanian company; and
- representing one of the largest confectionery manufacturers in Europe in relation to its trademark portfolio.
Professional experience
- Associate, Răzvan Dincă & Asociații
- Intern, Răzvan Dincă & Asociații
- Intern, Țuca Zbârcea & Asociații
Languages
- Romanian
- English
- French
- Greek
Răzvan Dincă & Asociaţii was created in 2012 around a group of lawyers who previously achieved international-class expertise in specialised areas of practice within one of the most reputable teams on the Romanian market of legal services.
The structure thus created combines the advantages of long established specialised expertise with the dynamic of a young management committed to providing prompt, effective, highly qualified and well reputed assistance and representation in legal matters.
The firm's IP lawyers have gained long established fame as being some of the best in Romania. Their areas of expertise include all IP legal aspects. Their work is highly appreciated for their deep knowledge of this specialised field; for their effective communication with the competent authorities and courts; and for their warm and efficient contact with clients.
The firm's IP practice services the needs of clients in the field of intellectual property law, including patents, trademarks, copyright, design rights and trade secrets, as well as in related fields, such as unfair competition, media and IP related contracts.
Răzvan Dincă & Asociaţii IP Practice has successfully represented its clients before:
- the EUIPO;
- the European Patent Office;
- the Romanian Patent and Trademarks Office;
- the World Intellectual Property Organization; and
- the EU General Court or the European Court of Justice.
The firm's managing partner is Răzvan Dincă, the Dean of the University of Bucharest's Law School. Răzvan is also a tenured professor of IP law at the same Law School and Civil Law.
The IP practice is managed by experienced IP litigator Irina Speciac and is frequently involved in protecting the intellectual property rights of one of the biggest names in the pharma, electronics, fast-moving consumer goods and media sectors. Ms Speciac also directly coordinates all things related to patents in the firm.
The IP prosecution practice is coordinated by Vlad Stanese, who has a wealth of experience in representing clients before the EUIPO, the EU General Court and Romanian courts in trademark, design and copyright matters. Mr Stanese is the youngest IP lawyer in Romania to be recognised by WTR 1000.
Some of the advice the firm gives clients can be categorised as follows.
- Legal assistance and representation in front of the courts of both claimants and defendants in connection with:
- intellectual property (eg, copyright, patents, trademarks, design, utility models) infringement claims;
- claims for cancellation of industrial property titles (patents, trademarks, industrial design, utility models);
- litigation regarding unfair competition by confusingly similar trademarks, logos, promotion, packaging and advertising;
- disputes grounded on confidentiality agreements, assignment or licensing contracts;
- claims for defamation by allegations of plagiarism; and
- litigation with employees regarding copyright and industrial property rights in works for hire.
- Legal assistance and representation in front of the State Office for Inventions and Trademarks in the process of registration of intellectual property rights: application, registration, opposition and re-examination (for, eg, patents, trademarks, industrial designs, utility models).
- Legal assistance in procedures regarding the invalidity of EU trademarks or designs.
- Legal assistance in respect of internet domain name registration, including domain names in dispute.
- Legal assistance and representation in front of courts and arbitral tribunals in connection with contractual IP rights.
- Drafting and negotiating:
- assignment and licensing contracts (eg, patents, trademarks, copyright, trade secrets, utility models);
- audiovisual production contracts;
- confidentiality agreements;
- contracts for research; and
- labour contracts with employees charged with creating software products, inventions, integrated circuits and other IP subject matters under the work-for-hire regime.
- Representation of foreign collective management associations in the negotiation and dispute settlement regarding the remuneration to be collected for the use of the works in Romania.
- Legal representation and assistance of users’ associations or collective copyright management associations in negotiation and dispute settlement regarding the remuneration to be paid between them.
- Legal assistance and representation in front of the National Audiovisual Council with respect to the broadcasting of certain TV advertising spots.
- Legal assistance and representation in obtaining audiovisual licences.
- Legal assistance and representation in front of administrative authorities and courts in proceedings related to the exercise of intellectual property rights in compliance with competition rules.