Acts of unfair competition pose a serious challenge for businesses, as they directly undermine market fairness and stability. Entrepreneurs who operate lawfully and ethically are often forced to compete with entities that seek an advantage through illegal means-disrupting the principles of a free market. Such actions-like product copying, unauthorized use of another company's brand, or spreading false information about competitors-can lead to significant financial losses, damage to customer trust, and a decline in corporate reputation.
At the same time, dominant market players often weaponise accusations of industrial or commercial espionage to stifle competition and block market access.
We have successfully represented dozens of clients in unfair competition disputes-both those harmed by such practices and those accused of committing them.
What we offer
- Legal analysis of market conduct - assessing the compliance of specific behaviors, agreements, contracts, and transactions with competition law, including evaluating planned business activities and the use of particular designations for potential classification as acts of unfair competition
- Representation in proceedings - handling cases before courts, including the Court of Competition and Consumer Protection, the President of the Office of Competition and Consumer Protection (UOKiK), and the European Commission in matters concerning competition law
- Pre-dispute advisory - evaluating the severity and classification of potentially unfair practices, assessing the legal merit and success likelihood of claims, and defining the scope of liability
- Strategic dispute advisory - analyzing the opponent's position, scenario planning, and designing a tailored legal strategy and roadmap, taking into account both the business and personal context of the case
- Safeguarding contested assets - protecting intellectual property, securing access to sensitive data and critical services, ensuring business continuity, and preserving evidence (e.g., trade information, documentation)
- Countering abusive litigation - taking proactive steps to protect smaller market players from malicious or abusive legal tactics by dominant entities.
Selected experience
- Advising international corporations and domestic entities in patent and trademark disputes, trade secret infringement cases, and unfair competition matters
- Drafting and reviewing agreements for the transfer or licensing of intellectual property rights, including copyrights for computer software
- Preparing legal opinions on topics such as the risk of using specific business identifiers, including unregistered trademarks and trade names
- Supporting and representing clients in proceedings before the Polish Patent Office and EUIPO, including opposition proceedings
- Advising on proceedings initiated by requests for securing evidence filed before bringing a lawsuit in intellectual property cases concerning acts of unfair competition.
Reputation
- Our lawyers have been recognized in patent and technology disputes by international rankings (Best Lawyers, Who's Who Legal, Chambers & Partners, Legal 500)
- We developed software integration and licensing standards for flagship Polish IT projects
- We are co-authors of The Franchise Law Review 2015 and 2016
- We have taken positions on EU patent law reform matters.
