The Patent 1000 focuses exclusively on patent practice and has firmly established itself as the definitive 'go-to' resource for those seeking world-class legal patent expertise.
Recommended - Individuals: prosecution
“PATENTREE is a great choice for patent prosecution in Portugal. Its attorneys have extensive technical backgrounds and have the necessary knowledge to understand inventions quickly, which helps clients address potential objections. It is an outstanding IP firm.” Priding itself in offering cost-effective and comprehensive services, PATENTREE has a strong European patent practice, with numerous highly accomplished attorneys who are well versed in prosecuting at the EPO. “Under Luís Ferreira’s leadership, the team works like a well-oiled machine. His prowess in electrical engineering shines through with his deep understanding of technical issues and clear advice. He really wants to understand the invention and bring new angles that positively impact the overall quality of the patent text. A true ally throughout the patent process, Luís is a uniquely intelligent attorney.” A specialist in chemistry and pharmaceutical patent cases, Anabela Carvalho can resolve even the most difficult substantive patent issues. “Anabela has in-depth knowledge of the IP registration processes and registration strategy, as well as extensive knowledge in appeal procedures. She works excellently with clients and provides helpful guidance to navigate complex patent prosecution cases.” Working alongside her is technology expert Ricardo Abrantes, who is respected by patrons for his business-oriented and strategic legal advice in materials and mechanical patent cases.
Anabela Carvalho is a qualified European patent attorney, a Portuguese patent and trademark attorney, a Portuguese industrial property agent and a European trademark and design attorney. She is also a patent arbitrator.
Ms Carvalho was one of the first few professionals in Portugal to pass the qualifying European patent examination when she qualified in 2013.
Ms Carvalho has a bio-engineering degree from the University of Minho, Portugal. She is a partner at PATENTREE (also known as PATENTS.PT).
She began her career in the biotech laboratory of Gist-Brocades (DSM) in 1998 and was later a project manager in the IP and technology transfer office of Porto’s Chamber of Commerce Associação Empresarial de Portugal. In 2004 Ms Carvalho joined a multinational IP group, where she eventually held the position of director of the Porto bureau for seven years.
Ms Carvalho has helped clients extensively in the development of strategies and solutions for patent and IP management (advanced and defensive patent filings). She has comprehensive patent prosecution experience in European, Patent Cooperation Treaty and Portuguese patent applications, including providing opinions and analysis on patentability, freedom-to-operate and infringement matters. She also has experience as a judicial patent expert appointed both by the courts and by the parties.
Ms Carvalho has interned with the EPO Examining Division. She is a tutor for the Lisbon branch of the Centre for International Intellectual Property Studies and a tutor for the Institute of Professional Representatives of the EPO.
PATENTREE was founded in 2013 in order to provide specialised IP services, in particular in relation to patents. The firm’s partners and associates have extensive experience in IP prosecution, spanning over 18 years in all fields of intellectual property.
PATENTREE’s professionals are highly qualified and have in-depth experience in drafting, prosecuting and enforcing patents in Europe, the United States, as well as other jurisdictions. Our firm is characterised by our unfailing commitment to excellence and strong IP strategies. Whether the work entrusted to us is patent drafting, patent searches, prosecution, oppositions, freedom-to-operate reports or patent validation, it is quality checked to ensure that it meets the highest standards.
We are a ground-breaking firm in Portugal, and currently the only patent firm employing several qualified European patent attorneys. We specialise in both electromechanical and chemical technology fields.
For the fifth consecutive year, PATENTREE has been recognised by the IAM Patent 1000 as a leading patent firm in Portugal employing leading patent individuals. In 2022 a Financial Times and Statista special report on leading European patent law firms listed PATENTREE among Europe’s top 167; PATENTREE was also the only Portuguese IP firm to make it into the list and one of the very few to have a gold rating in different technical fields. We are known for our team of responsive advisers, our ability to communicate effectively with scientists and investors, as well as for our success rate in prosecution, opposition, intervention and appeal cases. We strive to do our best to help our client protect their IP rights. We work closely with clients in order to fully understand their technology and to provide solutions specifically tailored to their needs.
We are a dynamic team of molecular biologists, bioengineers, mechanical and electrotechnical engineers. Amongst our team of professionals, some are former scientists, patent and trademark examiners, as well as IP consultants. They are dedicated to raising IP awareness in Portugal and to continuously be involved in providing patent law training courses in Portugal and abroad. We have been involved in providing tutoring for the University of Strasbourg Centre for International Intellectual Property Studies, as well as the Institute of Professional Representatives (EPI).
PATENTREE’s professionals have extensive experience before the patent and arbitration courts – in particular, as experts and technical assistants who have achieved the European patent litigation certification. Our professionals also have extensive experience and in-depth skills in patent searching. We use multiple world-class databases and tools when preparing reports in relation to patentability, freedom to operate and infringement.
Clients
PATENTREE’s client portfolio includes start-ups, SMEs, large companies, multinationals and knowledge centres that are active worldwide. Our client portfolio also includes innovation-leading companies in Europe and abroad. Our firm is internationally oriented and has a long history of obtaining successful patent results around the world.
Speciality areas
PATENTREE is committed to helping clients obtain effective and adequate IP protection. We are involved in all fields, including industrial and pure chemistry, molecular biology, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, food technology, mechanics, software, optics, nanotech, medical devices, renewable energies, electronics and telecommunications – both in Portugal and abroad.
Our firm also has an experienced formalities department with a broad skillset that is ideally positioned to handle complex and demanding multi-jurisdictional cases.
Services
Our firm offers the full range of IP services and is committed to providing comprehensive and innovative expertise, creating value to benefit our clients. Our list of services includes:
- advice on patent and utility model applications and complex protection strategies;
- patentability assessments and prior art evaluations;
- preparing, drafting and submitting patent applications;
- filing and prosecuting patents in key jurisdictions, including before the EPO, WIPO and the US Patent and Trademark Office;
- preparing and filing of oppositions and appeals at the EPO;
- preparing freedom-to-operate and patent landscape reports;
- providing expert opinions for infringement and validity court actions;
- conducting due diligence;
- IP portfolio management and assertion;
- IP department outsourcing, including comprehensive advice on matters relating to employee inventions;
- providing in-house training; and
- other trademark, design and IP rights services.
Languages
Portuguese, English, French, German, Spanish, Mandarin Chinese, Slovak and Czech.