Abion

Firm overview:

Young firm Abion is a tech-focused European IP specialist, recognised by peers for its message about “doing things differently”. The firm recently rebranded from BRANDIT after merging with Swedish brand protection company Ports Group in February last year to form European IP firm Abion. 

Noted for being “invested in the tech side”, Abion’s strength lies in trademarks, domain names and online brand protection to spot and combat infringers. Using its cost-effective monitoring tool, the firm’s offering also includes data protection for brands operating on apps, marketplace watching for potential infringing retailers and social media monitoring to tackle accounts using similar names. 

The team has assisted multiple clients on wide-scale brand launches and since its merger, high-profile brands Oatly and Spotify have been added to Abion’s list of 9,000+ clients for trademark and domain name work.

Team overview:

Abion has offices in Switzerland, Italy and Malta, and since opening its UK, Norway and Turkey offices in the past year, a total of 140 employees work across these locations. 

Partner and attorney Azhar Sadique spent 14 years at fellow ranked firm Keltie. Sadique focuses on brand protection, handling online enforcement and takedowns. Bringing his knowledge of the sector and emerging technologies in IP, Sadique is involved in the International Trademark Association (INTA) and the Chartered Institute of Trademark Attorneys (CITMA). 

Partner and paralegal Kane Ridley, previously head of the trademark and designs support team at Keltie, is experienced in portfolio management and involved in CITMA as a paralegal committee member. Ridley is a champion for paralegals and practitioners that have taken an alternative route to practising law, advocating for a new perception of how individuals can enter the profession.

Key matters:

• Abion advised Creative Restaurant Group on the launch of multiple high-end restaurant brands. The restaurants include Sumi, a Japanese Sushi restaurant, ‘fire dining experience’ restaurant Humo, and cocktail bar Nipperkin. Based in London, all have been included in the Sunday Times Top 100 Restaurants. The team involved included Azhar Sadique, Kane Ridley and Vanessa Hammler.

Clients:

Creative Restaurant Group, Hugo Boss, Novartis, Spotify