Co-Effort Law Firm

Firm overview:

Co-effort Law Firm names IP among its professional services areas that also include M&A finance, international trade, anti-monopoly and trade relief, and corporate securities. Established in 1998, the firm restructured into a limited liability partnership in 2011 and has a network of offices both in China and abroad.

The firm endeavours to adhere to the principle of ‘service creates value’, and has ambitious targets to grow its 600-strong team and elevate its standards of professionalism.

The firm created its IP Right Specialty Committee in 2015, and its practice areas include software, online gaming, animation, entertainment and media. This know-how has been put to use in advising clients such as the Art Expo, Shanghai Grand Theatre, Microsoft, Adobe, and Tencent among others.

Co-Effort’s IP team is also actively involved in providing guidance for lawyers in the field, taking part in seminars and holding lectures on IP-related issues.

Team overview:

Four partners, one associate and two attorneys make up Co-Effort’s IP department.

Heading up the team is the firm’s founder, Minjian You. He has contributed to the development of many laws and regulations in China, including the Copyright Law, Computer Software Protection Regulations and Patent Law. With particular focus on the cultural industry and internet issues, You has been involved in many litigation firsts, such as the first anti-trust dispute in China, the first software criminal infringement case regarding Microsoft’s Windows system, and the first IP case in the shipbuilding industry.

Clients:

Adobe, Autodesk, China Literature, Microsoft, Nexon, Shanda Group, Shanghai Grand Theatre, Shanghai Concert Hall, Shengqu Games, Tencent, Whaley Technology