Charmaine Koo
China
Deacons
5th Floor, Alexandra House
18 Chater Road
Central, Hong Kong
Tel: +852 2825 9300
Email:
charmaine.koo@deacons.com
Web:
www.deacons.com
Charmaine is Co-head of Deacons Intellectual Property Department and Head of the IP Litigation and Enforcement, Commercial IP and Entertainment and Media Practice Groups. She is admitted as a solicitor in Hong Kong, Canada and England and Wales. She is also qualified as a barrister in Ontario, Canada. Charmaine has a BSc in biology from the University of Toronto, an LLB from Queen’s University, an LLM from Cambridge University and a Diploma in IP Law and Practice from the University of Bristol.
Charmaine’s practice covers all aspects of IP work including anti-counterfeiting strategies and enforcement of IP rights. She advises on complex IP enforcement advice and litigation and has won a number of high profile court cases resulting in ground-breaking decisions in the Hong Kong IP field.
Charmaine advises on all aspects of commercial IP including the structure of commercial transactions and documentation. Charmaine has extensive experience advising on copyright, data protection and personal data privacy and information technology.
Charmaine also regularly advises on compliance and regulatory issues relating to marketing and advertising and represents many of the world’s leading advertising and PR companies.
As one of Hong Kong’s leading entertainment lawyers, Charmaine represents many major US and Asian film studios, international music publishers, record companies and television networks, independent producers, distributors, sales agents, financiers and talent on transactional and contentious issues. Charmaine was previously in-house counsel for one of the world’s largest entertainment and media companies.
Our deep knowledge of the local market helps our clients to protect and develop their IP assets.
You don’t need to be told that safeguarding and exploiting your IP assets can be crucial to maintaining a competitive edge. At Deacons we understand what is at stake, and have the experience to help you to get the most from your IP assets.
Don’t take our word for it. As well as numerous top band rankings for IP in independent directories such as Chambers Global, Legal 500 Asia Pacific and Managing Intellectual Property, and success in major awards, our track record of leading cases and ‘firsts’ speaks for itself. As Hong Kong’s largest and longest-established IP practice we were involved in registering Hong Kong’s oldest trade mark in 1874, as well as making its first ever e-filings of trade mark, patent and design applications.
Today we work with some of the world’s largest brands in the electronics, telecoms, pharmaceuticals, fashion, luxury goods, media/entertainment, software and computer hardware industries – including 50 of the world’s top 100 brands as identified by Interbrand PLC – so you can be confident that in trusting Deacons you are in excellent company.
Our experienced team offers a seamless service across Hong Kong and China covering all areas of contentious and non-contentious IP work, including Hong Kong, China and international trade marks, copyright and design rights, patents, domain names, data protection, technology, e-commerce, advertising and broader brand protection issues. We have an impressive record of success in litigation and enforcement actions in Hong Kong and mainland China. The Deacons (Beijing) Intellectual Property Agency, which was founded in 2013 under the sole ownership of Deacons, works closely with the team in Hong Kong to help clients establish and strengthen their overseas businesses while also assisting them with protecting and developing their valuable IP portfolios.
Whether you are doing business in Hong Kong for the first time, or understand its business environment perfectly, it is still good to know that you are in safe hands. It is good to know, for example, that Deacons is the largest full-service independent law firm in Hong Kong, as well as the longest established.
Since 1851 we have been developing a unique culture, which blends traditional client care with modern technology and working practices. Our integrity and dedication to the highest service standards is matched by our cosmopolitan nature and commitment to innovation. Deacons’ clients receive:
- Top quality advice in 16 key service areas;
- Access to the experience of our 49 partners and over 200 lawyers;
- The resources of our international networks;
- Three representative offices in mainland China; and
- The benefit of our deep knowledge of, and relationships with, Hong Kong’s business community, built up over many years.
It is no surprise that our achievements have been recognised by respected publications, such as Chambers Asia-Pacific and Asian Legal Business, including being voted ‘Hong Kong’s Law Firm of the Year’ and ‘Employer of Choice’ on numerous occasions.
What really matters to us, however, is what our clients think. And they tell us that what they appreciate most is our ability to understand their businesses and time pressures, and to act as ‘trusted advisors’ in helping them to take crucial business decisions.
“Co-head of department Charmaine Koo is highly praised by clients, one stating: “She is a fantastic lawyer. She does a range of work, and specialises in litigious IP and copyright. I rate her highly.” She advises a broad range of clients, with a focus on the luxury retail and entertainment industries.”