Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan’s rankings in global tables are improving under President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. Under Mirziyoyev, the country has risen from 74th in the World Bank’s “Doing Business” rankings in 2019, to 69th in 2020. Cuts in VAT and the development of an investment visa have increased Uzbekistan’s profile for corporations seeking to invest in Central Asia.  

Despite Covid-19, the country received a US$448 million line of credit of from Exim Bank on behalf of the government of India, signalling a willingness by Uzbekistan to be a participant in the global economy for the first time in recent history.  

Law firms in Tashkent deal primarily with work in the power, oil and gas and PPP sectors, but intellectual property is an emerging practice area among the local, regional and international firms doing business there.  

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Centil Law is a regional law firm focusing on Central Asia’s emerging markets. Ravshan Adilov, a partner in its Tashkent office, handles both transactional and regulatory work. While he has expertise in the petroleum and subsoil sectors, he also advises on the FMCG sector, including on M&A, joint ventures, franchising, brand sales, supply, distribution and license agreements, and technology contracts, often within a cross-border context.  

Dentons combined with local firm Avent Advokat in June 2017, giving it access to Uzbekistan. Partner Ulugbek Abdullaev concentrates on technology and media projects and intellectual property transactions, among other things, including recent work advising a foreign pharmaceutical company on trademark infringement issues and establishing a supply chain in Uzbekistan.  

Since 2001, Munich-based IP firm EUROMARKPAT has offered professional consultancy and advice in all IP matters in Uzbekistan through its Tashkent office, led by partner and patent attorney Vladimir Nekrasov, who is noted for his work in drafting patent applications and representing clients before the Uzbekistani Patent Office. Galina Michailova also represents clients in trademark matters. 

Founded in 1992, regional law firm Grata International has a wide network of offices in Eurasia, covering financial and commercial matters. Partner Dilorom Yuldasheva is a key contact in the firm’s intellectual property practice. In Uzbekistan, the firm has offices in Tashkent and Navoiy. 

Lawyers in the TMT practice at Kosta Legal in Tashkent offer a wealth of experience in Uzbekistan’s sometimes under-regulated TMT sector. The firm offers advice on telecommunications services and infrastructure; equipment supply, maintenance and support; licensing and regulatory compliance; privacy and data protection; technology and product development; outsourcing and freelancing; advertising and marketing; and dispute resolution and litigation. The firm recently assisted Uzbek telecoms operator Unitel (a franchise of Russian Beeline) in a dispute with the Republican Counsel on Radio Spectrum Frequencies (RCRF), in which the company contested the RCRF’s reallocation of radio frequencies ranging from 900 to 1800 MHz between Uzbek mobile operators; the decision ultimately upheld Unitel’s ability to operate within the market. 

Legalmax is a law firm specializing in issues related to the registration and protection of intellectual property in the Russian-speaking countries of the CIS. From its co-headquarters in Tashkent, its team of professionals has advised and acted on trademarks, patents, copyright, enforcement and litigation matters for both domestic and foreign companies. Managing partner Mukhammadali Makhmudov’s practice covers areas such as intellectual property law, competition law and leading litigations in national and international arbitration courts. Registered patent attorney Lola Islamova is head of the firm’s IP practice and is one of the leading specialists in Uzbekistan when it comes to the patenting of inventions and utility models and registration of trademarks. 

Simay Kom Lawyer Firm has more than 16 years of experience in advising private and state-run enterprises and organizations in Uzbekistan. Its IP team practice is recognized for its services in trademark prosecution and contentious matters as well as IP enforcement.