With particular strength in trademark applications and registrations, Bustamante Fabara‘s diverse workload also extends to patents, including applications and management, as well as negotiating copyright issues arising from counterfeit merchandise. A key point of distinction for the group is its unfair competition advice resulting in trademark challenges, an area of focus for María Rosa Fabara Vera, who leads the team alongside José Rafael Bustamante E. Experienced IP lawyer and associate Pablo Fabara is a strong litigator who regularly represents clients in enforcement actions before the trademark office. Senior associate Óscar Reyes' previous role as president of the Ecuadorian Intellectual Property Committee makes him well placed to represent clients in administrative and appellate proceedings for trademarks. Finally, Sebastián Páez is particularly skilled in unfair competition issues, including those connected to plant varieties.

CorralRosales stands out for its deep specialisation in IP, balancing a broad practice with a niche in anti-counterfeiting matters. Eduardo Rios often acts in the reduction of counterfeit goods and impeding their distribution, a cornerstone of his work. María Cecilia Romoleroux jointly leads the wider IP team with Francisco Gallegos R., who has notable expertise in the life sciences and technology industries, particularly in relation to patent filings in these spaces. Gabriel Kuri, a practitioner with biochemical industry expertise, is the head of patents. With respect to patents, the group is adept at advising on cases encompassing pharmaceutical patents, utility models and industrial design. The group is prolific in patent infringement cases in the pharmaceutical industry and Carolina Montalvo, a qualified pharmaceutical chemist, is key in such matters.

Offering ‘a combination of experience, innovation and a multidisciplinary team’, Falconi Puig Abogados‘ strength in IP is shown through its partner-level experience. David Jouve, an experienced litigator, operates across trademarks, patents, copyrights, designations of origin and domain names, emblematic of the wider group’s range of contentious and non-contentious IP expertise. Indeed, acting in patent infringement processes related to product invention, trademark filings and trademark infringement proceedings all fall within the group’s scope of knowledge. Sasha Mandakovic, Cecilia Falconi and Carlos Alberto Arroyo del Río head the team, a trio which has several years of experience in representing clients before administrative and judicial authorities for matters such as administrative infringement actions. Jaime Mantilla is active in trademark filings, often in the pharmaceutical industry.

Lexvalor Abogados, whose ‘experience in registration, defence, and portfolio strategies allows it to offer effective and customised solutions’ acts in large-scale portfolio management mandates and in the licensing of trademark portfolios for a range of household name brands in Ecuador. Its clients include companies in the pharmaceutical, technology, retail, and food and drink industries. The group is often involved in the enforcement of IP rights, and on the contentious side, ongoing administrative disputes, including oppositions and appeals, form a key part of the practice. Practice head Luis Marin Tobar has ‘in-depth knowledge of the regulations, and his ability to anticipate potential conflicts make his advice especially valuable’. He is supported by standout associate Emily Moreno, who has a history of acting in trademark prosecution and plant variety protection matters, and continues to be prominent in this space.

Showcasing particular strength in trademark disputes, Meythaler & Zambrano Abogados is also adept in an array of contentious IP work, such as appeals against pharmaceutical patent enforcement and protection. Also of note is its work in complex anti-counterfeit enforcement actions in the pharmaceutical industry. Clients include companies looking to set up in Ecuador as well as large international pharmaceutical companies. The group also excels in copyright protection, in which Maria Belen Rivera is particularly active. She jointly leads the department alongside José Meythaler Baquero, Margarita Zambrano, who is skilled in disputes in the life sciences sector, and Sebastián Meythaler. This quartet is supported by Andrea Araujo Mero, a key associate and deputy head of the IP practice. Maricruz Cepeda is another key associate and heads the firm’s patents practice.

Among the varied workload of Pérez Bustamante & Ponce is patent applications and trademark registration, in addition to assistance with plant breeder’s rights issues and regulation associated with this. The group is distinguished by its ability to operate prolifically in both the public and the private sectors. Practice head Francisco Pérez-Gangotena advises well-known international companies with the management of their IP portfolios, as well as leading domestic clients which are key players in their respective industries. The group also benefits from the experience of senior associates Rafael González and Camila Mateus, who are experienced in portfolio management as well as trademark protection, the former of whom also oversees all infringement litigation and conciliation procedures. Margarita Romero Rosales, former founder of an IP boutique, is another key team member.

Tobar ZVS's deep IP expertise allows it to act at the ‘forefront of the latest intellectual property issues'. It is active across a range of industries such as automotive, food and beverages, and consumer goods. Also of note is its strength in trademark registration and enforcement, cases in which Alvaro Sevilla is often the lead partner. Due to his high level of experience in the different phases of intellectual property, Sevilla is also well placed to handle portfolio management, anti-counterfeiting, administrative enforcement actions and copyright matters. He and Alfonso Rivera jointly lead the team, which has a dominant presence in the plant breeder rights space, including assisting global flower companies with portfolio management. Senior associate Andrea Guevara is another prominent team member.

Boutique IP firm Aguirre Noboa Law Firm frequently ‘supports IP development and entrepreneurs’. The group specialises in trademark prosecution and litigation, in addition to the management of trademark portfolios and contested applications related to well-known trademarks in Ecuador. Firm founder Carlos Aguirre Noboa leads many of these matters, and jointly leads the team with Priscila Ordonez, who is entrusted by clients for advice on various aspects of IP ownership and dealing with trademark opposition. The group continues to expand at the associate level, in which associate Maria Cristina Guerra stands out for her expertise in trademark cancellation work.

Dentons Paz Horowitz ‘provides an excellent service in trademark searches and solutions to problems that may arise in the registration process’. The group is a popular choice for clients wishing to protect their trademarks from infringement in Ecuador, as well as those looking to secure coexistence agreements for trademark registrations. The firm’s presence throughout the Latin American region makes it well placed to assist with international clients, including household names such as Starbucks. Indeed, Bruce Horowitz boasts an international network and excels in trademark matters, with a breadth of work spanning to non-traditional trademarks, including sound marks and tactile marks. Horowitz leads the department alongside directors Verónica Chiriboga and Mónica Cortez Izurieta, who focus on portfolio management and IP portfolio optimisation, respectively.

Guerrero Intellectual Property specialises in infringement proceedings, especially in the pharmaceutical and food and beverage sectors. Managing partner Johana Aguirre heads the team, backed up by senior associate Christian Bandre, who leads the firm’s litigation and enforcement department. Bandre is also a key part of the group’s activity in anti-counterfeiting measures, for which the practice is well known, as well as trademark oppositions for administrative appeals. Experienced IP lawyer Omar Alban Cornejo is key in the strategic elements of such trademark oppositions, as well as trademark registrations and applications, aspects of IP in which the group as a whole is well versed.

Combining strong academic insight with extensive practical experience, AVL Abogados' intellectual property team provides advice to clients across numerous industries, including pharmaceuticals, technology, mining and food. Its expertise covers trademark protection, asset management and the global defence of intangible rights. Recently, the practice has expanded its focus to emerging markets such as crypto, NFTs, software licensing and copyright negotiations, offering clients advice for complex and evolving IP challenges. The department is led by María de los Ángeles Lombeyda, who guides clients on branding and complex IP issues; she is supported by senior associates Mario Ruiz and Juan José Arias, both experts in prosecution, defence and strategy, and associate Darío Carrera, who focuses on trademarks, patents, and related filings and renewals.

ECIJA displays expertise in all of the main areas of IP law but has a niche in defending trademark oppositions in the pharmaceutical industry. Gabriela Balseca, Juan Fernando Valdivieso, Ingrid Rodríguez and Gonzalo Muñoz oversee the practice. Trademark registration and defence are among Valdivieso's areas of focus; he also defends clients against potential unfair competition cases, another strength of the broader team. Balseca is well versed in alternative dispute resolution methods.

Pino Elizalde Abogados‘ IP team is ‘focused on protecting and managing its clients’ intangible assets’ and is highlighted for its ability to combine ‘technical expertise, legal creativity and personalised attention’. Led by Daniel Pino and Fernanda Guzmán, the group maintains a strong presence in trademark registration and portfolio management. Founding partner Jaime Arosemena is in charge of the firm’s IP trademark and patent prosecution and litigation practice, while associate María Ritha Guillén is a versatile practitioner, splitting her time between the firm’s Quito and Guayaquil offices and commended for her strategic approach.

Highlighted by clients for its trademark litigation and regulatory expertise, Robalino‘s IP team is well versed in defending clients against trademark infringement, and it also excels in trademark applications. The group also deals with an array of life sciences IP matters, an area in which practice head Pedro Córdova is extremely experienced. Córdova’s varied workload includes protecting large brand portfolios, patent litigation and advising on plant varieties. Maria José Peñaherrera is also strong in the life sciences sector, as well as in advising clients with copyright issues in the biomedical and energy sectors.

Romero Arteta Ponce is regularly engaged in trademark registrations and managing brand portfolios. The group is active in the pharma, consumer goods, automotive and construction sectors, among others. Gustavo Romero and Carolina Guerrero head the team, the former of whom has strong industry connections, while the latter is an experienced IP lawyer who handles matters for some of Ecuador’s largest manufacturers.