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
“Efficient, diligent, prompt and proactive, Zacco is wonderful in all regards. A premier European patent firm with a significant presence across the continent, it offers comprehensive IP services. The group delivers fantastic work and boasts in-depth technical know-how and business acumen, easing the minds of clients during complex mandates.” First up is regional director and electrical engineer Patrik Olsson, who is at home advising patrons on their overall portfolio strategy and determining the potential value. He is often called upon to testify in cases before the Swedish Patent and Market Court as an expert on patent law. The “simply magnificent” Malin Mattsson leads the mechanics team. Her engineering background and knowledge of the law allow her to recognise and understand her clients’ inventions as well as their practical value. Mechanical engineers Paul Winblad and Tommy Somlo draw on their experiences as examiners at the Swedish Patent Office to provide expert advice. Winblad is a fine choice for an array of technical fields, including the energy and automotive sectors, while Somlo works with clientele across a range of emerging technologies. Tomas Gustafsson also utilises his insight as an examiner, as well as time spent in-house as a patent attorney, to get patents through to grant with minimal fuss. He understands internal business goals and external requirements, and so he can provide well-rounded protection. Forward-thinking Ulf Juhlin-Dannfelt advises his following on the development of intellectual property and helps them to create internal environments that are more IP conscious. The team’s technical versatility is further reflected with the inclusion of telecommunications and physics lead Johan Hervius Löthman, a favourable choice among those in related areas, including software and computer-implemented inventions. On the life sciences side, Maria Börlin, Michael Byström, Jörgen Linde, Sofia Larsson and Martin Tranälv can be found. Leading the charge, Börlin’s insight into both the practical and financial viability of her clients’ ideas is key to the successful expansion of their portfolios. “Michael provides high-quality, prompt and tailored solutions that are beyond expectations. He casts a wide net of European coverage for patent protection, all while keeping costs in mind. He is truly an invaluable resource.” Linde’s deep well of expertise makes him a trusted partner to university-based inventors, SMEs and multinationals; while Larsson draws on her in-house experience at a medical device company to assist patrons in protecting their inventions globally. Rounding off the line-up, Tranälv’s knowledge runs the gamut of intellectual property, and he regularly advises his clients on implementing strategies across their entire IP portfolios.
Tommy Somlo has worked in the IP field since 1996, joining Zacco in 2018 as a senior partner.
He advises on all aspects of patents from drafting, prosecution and strategic counselling to oppositions, validity issues and identifying commercial value. He often assists his clients in solving third-party issues such as infringement or freedom-to-operate analyses, and his knowledge and expertise have been integral to many positive prosecution and enforcement outcomes, including through oral proceedings.
Although his expertise lies within the fields of mechanical and medical engineering, Mr Somlo works with clients across a range of emerging technologies, most recently handling patent matters in the areas of automotive and absorption/fluid handling.
Mr Somlo graduated in 1996 with an MSc in engineering physics from Chalmers University of Technology. His interest in intellectual property developed early on in his career, when he joined the Swedish Patent Office as an examiner. He soon moved to a Swedish IP firm where he became a European patent attorney, which led to many years in-house with a leading multinational pharmaceutical firm. Wanting to work with a broader client base took him back to his first IP firm before finally joining Zacco in 2018.
This passion for fostering innovation has followed Mr Somlo throughout his career. His desire to further the IP profession and his commitment to assisting those considering a career within IP see him contribute his time lecturing master’s students at Gothenburg universities on the subject of IP rights.
Mr Somlo is an authorised European patent attorney and member of the Institute of Professional Representatives before the European Patent Office. He is also a Swedish patent attorney with the Swedish Patent Attorneys Board and has been appointed as a technical expert in patent matters before the courts of first and second instance in Stockholm.
Mr Somlo is regularly recognised as a Recommended Individual in the prestigious IAM Patent 1000 rankings.
Zacco is an international full-service IP solutions and brand protection specialist, with around 125 authorised patent attorneys and 75 authorised trademark and design attorneys, operating globally and in most sectors. Our combined aim is to view the world as our customers do, building practical strategies that cover their IP, brand character and content.
Zacco became a part of the OpSec Group in 2023 so we are now around 1300 experts. Together we help organisations to develop, manage and protect the value of their IP throughout its lifecycle. Combining physical and digital brand protection solutions to bring authenticity and assurance, from the creation of new assets and identities, to monetisation of rights and content, to protection against infringement and abuse.
Zacco, and many of our colleagues, regularly achieve Top Tier rankings and recommendations from Managing Intellectual Property, World Trademark Review, Intellectual Asset Management and The Legal 500, which we believe independently verifies our commitment to quality, excellence and innovation.
Patent, Trademark and Design Prosecution
Our international presence means a single point of contact can handle IP prosecution in multiple jurisdictions. Many of our patent attorneys are authorised EPAs so we have an expert ready to advise you on nearly all current and emerging fields of technology. As a client, you will find a skilled and knowledgeable practitioner able to help you secure, monetise and enforce your ideas, whether you work physically in chemistry, greentech, mechanics, materials or biotech, or digitally in digitalisation, software, AI or machine learning, among other areas. We also provide many IP portfolio management and in-sourced services, such as in-house paralegals.
Our trademark and design practice assists all industries with filing and prosecution, availability and infringement opinions and has a special focus on EU trademark practice, including oppositions, cancellations and appeals before the EUIPO.
We cover ten European jurisdictions directly including the EUIPO/EPO, the United Kingdom, Germany, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Austria and Switzerland, and operate internationally through a comprehensive network of trusted long-term global partners.
Litigation and Disputes
When in need of expertise in IP litigation and dispute matters, clients can rely on Zacco. We are renowned experts in IP, with both the legal and the technical proficiency in-house to successfully represent your interests and enforce your IP rights. This could be directly, in cooperation with leading law firms, or providing litigation and technical support to other counsel or trusted representatives before the authorities.
The legal practice serves all industries with advice and assistance related to IP. This includes due diligence, drafting and negotiation of contracts or licensing agreements, or Data Protection, marketing law and other compliance matters. We also advise on e-commerce, litigation, domain name conflict resolution, customs surveillance and counterfeit prevention, among other areas. Zacco has successfully represented international clients in proceedings before national courts and the European Court of Justice.
Digital Brands and Security
With a significant portion of IP infringement now taking place online, we have introduced services to help clients stay ahead of new and emerging threats to both physical and digital IP. Our Digital Brands team can actively monitor your IP and brand rights online, assisting with registration and securing of traditional and emerging domains, and identifying and removing potential counterfeits or infringements across online marketplaces, social media and the metaverse. We also provide cybersecurity training and testing, digital forensics and secure software development services.
IP 360: The Future of Intellectual Property
Zacco takes care of our clients’ innovation, identity and digital assets – everything that you literally cannot put your finger on. We help define them, evaluate them, release their hidden value and protect them, both now and in the future.
The world changes, and so do we. Zacco continuously evolves to best serve the changing needs of IP. Digitalisation means traditional borders or sectors no longer apply and we have broadened our scope of services to meet the implications, threats and opportunities that emerge.
More than 150 years of innovative thinking
We have a long history of protecting, monetising and enforcing IP, and list many leading brands and innovators as clients. Our focus on close collaboration, technical expertise and high quality makes Zacco one of Europe’s leading IP solutions specialists.