Fifty-nine firms from 21 Asia-Pacific jurisdictions took home trophies at the 15th annual Asia IP Awards, held November 17 at Blackbird restaurant in Manila.

At the same event, eight law firms from India received trophies for awards won in October’s Asia IP India Awards, honouring the best in domestic Indian intellectual property work. 

Blackbird is located in Nielson Tower on the site of Manila’s first international airport. In July 1937, Nielson Airport was inaugurated, with a terminal building and control tower designed to resemble an airplane from a bird’s eye view. What are now Ayala Avenue and Paseo de Roxas were once the runways. When Philippine Air Lines was established in 1941, their first flight departed from Nielson Airport for Baguio carrying nine passengers onboard a Beechcraft Model 18.

The awards named top trademarks, patents and copyright practices as determined by in-house counsel from Asia, Europe and the Americas. More than 5,000 in-house counsel were polled by Asia IP throughout the first part of 2024. The event also named Asia-Pacific award winners in each of the practice areas. The complete list of winners follows.

“There is so much high-level intellectual property work being done in Asia,” said Asia IP publisher Darren Barton. “Each year, winning an Asia IP trophy becomes more and more difficult.”

Three international law firms won multiple awards at the event, either in multiple practice areas or multiple jurisdictions. Regional firm Tilleke & Gibbins was recognized for its work in Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam and for its regional patent work. Global firm Baker McKenzie-affiliated firms won five awards on the evening, including the regional Asia Pacific award for its trademark work, as well as its work in China, Hong Kong, Indonesia (as HHP Law Firm), Malaysia (as Wong & Partners) and Vietnam. Bird & Bird won for its regional copyright work, as well as for its work in China. The firm also won an award in Singapore, where it operates as Bird & Bird ATMD. 

The China awards given at the evening’s ceremony honour international law firms for their work in China. Leading Chinese law firms are recognized annually with the Asia IP China Awards early each year. 

Asia IP is a vital source of intelligence for IP-owning companies active in Asia, and for international law firms which want to keep ahead of the key issues. The magazine includes a range of in-depth features, news and analysis designed to meet the information needs of in-house counsel, senior business leaders and partners at Asian and international law firms. 

The 2025 Asia IP Awards will be held in Kuala Lumpur.