Boutique firm Bolotov & Partners LLP is well regarded for its services in the trademark and patent space, providing domestic and international clients across Kazakhstan and Central Asia with advice on a variety of matters ranging from prosecution and litigation to transactions in sectors including consumer goods, telecommunications and finance. Managing partner Yuri Bolotov covers the use and protection of IP rights, including trademarks and copyrights, as well as advising on cross-border matters in IP law. Saule Kulzhambekova‘s experience from her time as a senior expert examining trademarks for the National Patent Office aids in her current practice fighting trademark and patent violations in cooperation with law enforcement agencies. Zhanat Nurmagambetov is noted for his expertise in IP rights enforcement including the application of pretrial, civil and criminal measures of trademark protection. All partners mentioned lead the team.

The intellectual property and technology team at Dentons provides a full IP and trademark service to clients, from the registration of IP, to resolving IP disputes both at pre-litigation and litigation stages, as well as unfair competition matters and IP protection and enforcement. Victoria Simonova co-heads the department alongside Aliya Seitova, with Simonova skilled in defending clients in litigation matters involving trademark and patent rights, and Seitova experienced in trademark and patent filings, as well as renewal services and trademark infringement matters. In 2022, Seitova became a Eurasian patent attorney, allowing her to register inventions and industrial designs at the regional level in the Eurasian Economic Union.

GRATA International advises clients on a broad range of TMT and IP services, with experience supporting local and foreign market players across the CIS region. The IP practice is led by Timur Berekmoinov, whose expertise covers trademarks, patents, copyrights and inventions; alongside his team, he has aided in improving IP legislation with the Ministry of Justice in Kazakhstan. Yerzhan Yessimkhanov, who leads the TMT department, is experienced in advising clients in the telecommunications and transportation industries on matters including the construction of Kazakhstan’s first 4G network and on day-to-day operations. Darya Zhanysbayeva has been involved in a cross-border project relating to the construction of a fibre optic network for major telecommunications operators, and Arsen Mir is another key name.

Kinstellar LLP is active in assisting clients in the telecommunications sector, often combining its expertise in project development and corporate and M&A to assist technology clients in a range of issues including data protection and digitalisation projects. Managing partner Joel Benjamin covers the Almaty, Astana and Tashkent offices, and Kuanysh Kanlybayev‘s expertise extends to advising on regulatory frameworks and data privacy challenges, as well as digital transformation. Adlet Yerkinbayev is also a key name.

Baker & McKenzie - CIS, Limited offers a full service within IP, covering trademarks, designs, patent prosecution and litigation alongside copyright and customs registration of IP assets. The IP team benefits from its proprietary IP Support Unit and back-office teams to assist in the firm’s wider offshore IP portfolio management model. Managing partner Azamat Kuatbekov is experienced in cross-border IP matters, and Andrei Yorsh specialises in IP litigation and IP infringement work, including trademark enforcement and pharma patent issues. Nurgul Abdreyeva is another key name.

SIGNUM Law Firm provides a broad service within IP and tech matters relating to Kazakhstan, including transactional IP issues relating to cross-border M&A deals, regulatory IP and telecoms issues, and international and local compliance relating to access to data from sanctioned companies. Managing partner Sofiya Zhylkaidarova  provides IP advice in transactions involving the registration, transfer and protection of IP, while Ulan Stybayev is noted for his ‘availability and flexibility’.

3i Law Firm is experienced in aiding clients in projects relating to AI and data, with the team focused on advising IT and e-commerce businesses. The practice is spearheaded by Nataliya Shapovalova and covers all aspects of IP law including IP litigation and the protection and enforcement of IP rights. Shapovalova has also been active in reviewing the regulation around the intellectual property of the AIFC, as well as working to improve regulation in IP for clients in the pharmaceutical industry.

AEQUITAS services clients in a variety of industry sectors including international cellular, landline and postal operators and the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan on matters related to TMT projects, such as the use of modern information technologies and equipment, and on M&A transactions relating to companies providing IT services. Yelena Manayenko co-leads the practice with Yuliya Chumachenko, with Chumachenko experienced in personal data protection. Kirill Greshnikov is focused on assisting clients with fintech projects facing issues of regulation of the digital economy and data management.

With offices in Almaty, Astana and Karaganda, MG Partners provides support in IP law matters and cryptocurrency issues. Managing partner Inna Ionova leads the IP and TMT team and regularly conducts seminars on intellectual property law as well as being an author of guides for IP law. Ionova is supported by patent attorney Ayazhanym Alzhan.

CWB, which merged with PETOŠEVIĆ and Hahn & Hahn in 2023, services the IP portfolios for clients across the Middle East, Africa, and Central and Eastern Europe as well as Central Asia. The team is skilled in providing a full service in all fields of IP, ranging from trademarks and copyright, to patents and designs, with practice head Aliya Madiyarova focusing on patent and trademark prosecution and enforcement before the Kazakh IPO and Eurasian Patent Office. Gaziza Boribay and Sultan Tleubekov are other key names.

Sayat Zholshy & Partners handles matters for national and international telecommunications companies, supporting them on issues from facilitating market access for new tech companies, to competition advice and business structuring. Vitaliy Vodolazkin, who heads the team, advises on the proper registration of IP rights, as well as antitrust cases involving IP rights infringements.