In 1969 three renowned patent attorneys and a number of attorneys at law established the Patent and Law Office for International Affairs, the legal predecessor of SBGK Attorneys at Law and Patent Attorneys. SBGK was the first private firm to combine the knowledge of attorneys at law and patent attorneys. For almost half a century, SBGK has held its market-leading position of providing quality service in IP law.
Team
SBGK’s attorneys at law and patent attorneys attend international seminars and conferences every year to stay ahead of the competition. They are frequently invited to speak as guest lecturers at Hungarian and international events, the results of which are numerous publications in international professional journals and bulletins. SBGK also organises conferences, roundtable discussions and international symposia in Hungary. SBGK’s attorneys at law are qualified to represent clients before the EU Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO), the EU General Court and the European Court of Justice (ECJ). For example, it represented clients in the first preliminary ruling referral to the ECJ in a Hungarian trademark matter. Similarly, SBGK’s patent attorneys are all registered as European patent attorneys and can represent clients before the European Patent Office (EPO) and the EUIPO.
We are proud to have Szabolcs Farkas, the previous vice president of technical affairs of the Hungarian Intellectual Property Office. With Mr Farkas, the patent team has broadened its scope from traditional patent attorney work to R&D counselling, which is his expertise.
Services
The cooperation of patent attorneys and attorneys at law allows SBGK to represent clients in complex IP law matters. SBGK offers services in:
- patent, industrial design and trademark prosecution matters before the Hungarian Intellectual Property Office, the EPO and the EUIPO;
- IP rights enforcement (civil litigation, oppositions and domain name disputes);
- contracts for international licensing, franchising and technology transfer matters;
- IP portfolio management;
- annuities fee payment;
- trademark screening;
- freedom-to-operate searches; and
- anti-piracy campaigns.
In addition to SBGK’s strong IP practice, it helps foreign investors set up their business in Europe and provides them with all the necessary legal services in company establishment, mergers and acquisitions, employment law matters and various other commercial transactions.
Network
SBGK, as the leading IP law firm in Hungary, offers not only professional services, but also a broad network of international contacts, which includes well-known national and international firms of attorneys at law and patent attorneys, guaranteeing high-quality services. SBGK’s attorneys at law and patent attorneys are members of and hold various positions in international IP organisations such as the International Association for the Protection of Intellectual Property, the International Trademark Association, the International Federation of Intellectual Property Attorneys, the European Communities Trademark Association, MARQUES, UNION, the Pharmaceutical Trademarks Group, the Licensing Executives Society International and the Institute of Professional Representatives before the EPO.
Gateway to Europe
SBGK is looking to broaden its professional network and form partnerships with foreign patent and trademark attorneys, to represent clients from Europe and further afield in international IP matters. SBGK can provide a one-stop shop for European patent, Patent Cooperation Treaty, EU trademark and registered Community design applications.
Practice areas
SBGK advises clients in relation to:
- trade secrets and know-how;
- franchising;
- utility models;
- geographical indications;
- plant variety protection;
- topography protection;
- intangible asset evaluation; and
- IP rights services.
Clients
SBGK represents clients, including private clients and start-ups, in the following industries:
- information technology and telecommunications;
- agriculture and food;
- banking and finance;
- chemicals and pharmaceuticals;
- consumer products;
- fashion, art and design;
- health, cosmetics and life sciences;
- media, publishing and entertainment; and
- retail and distribution.