Mariano Santos

I am a partner in Bird & Bird's Intellectual Property department in the Madrid office.

With more than 20 years of experience within the Intellectual Property field, I am a partner at Bird & Bird. Here I lead the brand management prosecution team in Spain and also work across Latin America.

As an experienced IP attorney, I specialise in trademark, design, patent and copyright and advertising law, with a particular focus on cases involving trademark matters. I've handled many proceedings at the SPTO, EUIPO and Latin American jurisdictions.

I've developed particular experience in pan-European prosecution and enforcement strategies of trademarks, patents and designs, including customs and parallel import enforcement strategies, especially in Latin American countries.

During my twenty years of professional experience, I've advised and developed intellectual property consultancy projects in national and international companies. Furthermore, I have acquired extensive experience on all aspects relating to trademarks portfolios, IP legal advice, franchises and licensing. This includes defining and implementing intellectual property management policies in companies (management of R&D; marketing activities; policies on employees' inventions), and analysing, auditing and organising intellectual property portfolios.

In addition to my professional work, I also teach in public and private entities such as the Institute for the Analysis of Intangible Assets and ISDE (School of Law). Further to this I am one of the board members of Directors in LES Spain and Portugal.

I have been recommended as an IP lawyer in the relevant international law directories including Legal 500, World Trademark Review, WTR 1000, IAM Patent and Best Lawyers.

• Handling IP prosecution and enforcements for Samsung and Ford Global Technologies in Spain and Latin America.

• I am currently handling worldwide prosecutions for British clothing brand Ben Sherman, Privalia, BCBG Max Azaria, Chrome Hearts, Ace of Spades, Bodegas Benjamin de Rotschild and Vega Sicila and representing Take-Two Interactive in complex contentious cases.