Vaz e Dias Advogados & Associados

José Carlos Vaz e Dias

PhD/LLM Kent – England

Attorney at law specialized on patent, trademark matters and foreign investment law since 1993. His activities are focused on the legal support and consulting to foreign companies that want to invest in Brazil, especially in the technology fields. He works on trademark prosecution and patent and trademark litigation, and various matters related to foreign exchange control laws, technology transfer and taxation matters applicable to the inflow of technology and investments.

He holds a great knowledge on the legal side of biotechnology patents, plant variety rights and pharmaceuticals, which allows him to draft adequate strategies for exploring such inventions in the Brazilian market.

One of his expertise is to participate in the negotiations and drafting of technology transfer, licensing agreements, joint venture, distribution, franchising and other commercial agreements that aim to exploit intellectual property rights in the Brazilian territory. Most recently, Mr. José Carlos Vaz e Dias has been extensively working with the Brazilian Innovation Law and its peculiarities to obtain fiscal benefits and funding granted by the local government. Therefore, he has led several research and development agreements involving Brazilian research centers and companies (including foreign ones) and he has given support to companies on matters of intellectual property and fiscal laws.

He holds a strong presence in the enforcement of intellectual property rights and implementation of programs to prevent counterfeiting and parallel import in the Brazilian territory, especially in the main ports and cities that manufacture and distribute such products.

His intellectual strength comes from the broad knowledge of various legal fields (taxation, antitrust, corporate law and consumer rights) that makes him capable to apply them to the protection, enforcement and exploitation of IP rights.

Further, he graduated from the University of Brasilia (UnB) and obtained a master degree (Masters in International Business Transaction – LLM/Kent) and a PhD (foreign investment and intellectual property rights – PhD/Kent) from the University of Kent at Canterbury in England.

JOSÉ CARLOS VAZ E DIAS is a Professor on Intellectual Property Rights from the State University of Rio de Janeiro – UERJ. He has written several local and international publications and he has led seminars and speeches in associations such as Brazilian Franchise Association (ABF), Brazilian Intellectual Property Law Association (ABPI), Brazilian Industrial Property Agent Association (ABAPI), World Intellectual Property Law Organization (WIPO), International Trademark Association (INTA), Licensing Executive Society (LES), among others.

Marina Castro

Mechanical Engineer with undergraduate course from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ) in the Academic Format “Co-Joint Graduation” with the Technical University of Denmark (Kongens Lynby). She developed at the Danish university research on the Control and Smart Materials focusing on the analysis of vibration control using Smart Materials. She is developing at the moment her Master studies before UFRJ.

She holds a broad experience in automation, performing activities related to reviewing mechanical failures and elaborating pertinent technical documentation related to analysis performed incorporating sensing, detection and implementation of control tools.

At VAZ E DIAS ADVOGADOS & ASSOCIADOS, Ms. Castro executes activities related to the protection of inventions through patents, topographies and software. She has been involved since 2015 in the prosecution of applications at the Brazilian Patent Office (INPI), especially those related to mechanical vibrations, control and automation systems, as well as industrial products and processes, and mechanical and automation engineering, in general.

Moreover, she works directly with the stages of the national and international patent applications prosecution, in accordance with the Patent Convention Treaty (PCT).

It should be highlighted, the thorough work led by Ms. Castro in the Freedom to Operate (FTO) and RoadMapping tasks, by means of identifying technological routes through patents. Her ability to lead these complex issues comes from the technical knowledge in the examination of mechanical systems and professional practice gained across many projects involving rotating machines in general.

Ms. Castro guides national and international clients, clarifying their queries, leading the examination of patentability requirements, elaborating technical reports and petitions, such as responses to office actions, appeals, subsidies to support the technical examination and nullities with the INPI.

Gabriel Duarte de Oliveira

Gabriel Duarte is an Industrial Chemist from the Federal Fluminense University (UFF) and Work Safety Technician from the National Service for Commercial Learning (SENAC). Gabriel developed a digital printing study in forensic chemistry for his final project in the course at UFF, obtaining approval and successful conclusion.  

Gabriel Duarte also has experience in Research and Innovation in the Department of Analytical Chemistry at Federal Fluminense University (UFF) since 2012 and in Environmental Management and Product Stewardship related to the chemical industry of pesticides since 2014.

At VAZ E DIAS ADVOGADOS & ASSOCIADOS, Gabriel Duarte performs activities related to the protection of inventions through patents, topographies and software. He has been involved at this firm, since 2019 in the prosecution of applications at the Brazilian Patent Office (INPI), especially those related to chemistry, petrochemicals and pharmacy, in general. 

In addition, Gabriel Duarte also participates in all stages of the administrative processing of national and international patent applications, via the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT).

Gabriel Duarte guides national and international clients, clarifying their queries, conducting the analysis of official requirements and office actions, preparing technical opinions and administrative petitions in general, such as compliance with requirements, technical responses, resources, examination subsidies and nullities with the INPI.

Laura Marques

Attorney at law admitted to the Brazilian Bar Association in 2012, Laura Leite Marques has a Law degree (2012) from the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro (PUC-Rio), and a Post-graduate degree (2014) in Intellectual Property and Competition Law at Candido Mendes University (UCAM).

Laura Leite Marques is specialized on trademark prosecution and litigation with the adequate knowledge for the protection of distinctive signs at the Brazilian Trademark Office (BTO).

Further to that, she holds great expertise on matters related to unfair competition, especially those taken place on digital platforms B2B and B2C and social media, including fake news, false and abusive advertising issues on commerce, ambush marketing and geo-pricing/geo-blocking behaviors.

Laura is always designated when it comes to issues related to domain names, software and internet law. Her expertise entitles her to deliver legal support and opinion to foreign and Brazilian companies. It further allowed her to publish the article entitled “An Analysis of the Rights and Duties of Internet Users”.

Larissa Fonseca – PhD

Larissa Fonseca has a PhD in Mechanical Engineering from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ) and Texas A&M University at College Station through a “sandwich” Doctoral program. Larissa holds a degree on Master of Sciences from UFRJ, where she developed a study on origami structures applied to engineering devices, focusing on the dynamic and energetic study of these structures, especially when powered by “Smart Materials”. 

Larissa Fonseca has extensive experience in dynamic and intelligent materials, performing activities related to structural integrity studies, fatigue assessment and maintenance monitoring of large equipment applied to the steel industry. 

In addition, she specializes in non-linear dynamics, with the application of origami devices to engineering, biomedicine and other areas of knowledge, to act as an actuator, sensor or as a substitute for a piece of equipment. She has extensive experience in the steel industry, having worked in the area of cold rolling lines maintenance.

At VAZ E DIAS ADVOGADOS & ASSOCIADOS, Larissa Fonseca carries out activities related to the protection of inventions through patents, topographies and software. She works in this law firm since 2020 with processing patent applications with the National Institute of Intellectual Property (INPI), especially those related to mechanical vibrations, metallurgy, mechanical forming and sensors, as well as industrial products and processes, mechanical, metallurgical and automation engineering in general.

Larissa Fonseca guides national and international clients, clarifying their doubts, conducting the analysis of office action requirements, preparing technical opinions and administrative petitions in general, such as compliance with requirements, technical responses, resources, exam subsidies and nullities with the INPI.

Bruna Valois

Bruna Valois holds a post-graduate degree in Commercial Mediation and Conciliation from Fundação Getulio Vargas (FGV) and a Bachelor’s degree in Law from Universidade Candido Mendes (UCAM). 

She is a counsellor and attorney-at-law specialized in international business transactions since 2014. She works in the preparation and negotiations of commercial agreements in the technology sphere, such as technology transfer, licensing of intellectual property rights, copyright agreements, merchandising, research and development, franchising, distribution, confidentiality agreements and other contracts involving the exploitation of intellectual property rights. 

In view of the peculiarity of the legal framework for technology transfer and franchise agreements in Brazil, required the prior recordation at the Brazilian National Institute of Industrial Property (INPI),  Bruna Valois is the leading attorney that holds meetings with the examiners, verifies and complies with office actions and takes the legal steps to obtain the Recordation Certificates for local and foreign Clients.

In addition, Bruna Valois guides national and international clients, clarifying their doubts, conducting the analysis of official requirements and office actions issued by the INPI, administrative requests in general, such as compliance with requirements and filing of appeals before the INPI for the recordal of international commercial agreements.

Eduardo Tibau

Lawyer of Counsel Bachelor in Law from Cândido Mendes University and Master degree in Intellectual Property and Innovation from INPI with solid experience in the areas of intellectual property law, technological innovation, corporate law, digital law and data protection and privacy.

Eduardo Tibau started his career in 1999 and joined large law firms when he had the opportunity to make the intersection between intellectual property law and corporate law.

In view of his comprehensive background, Eduardo Tibau has the facility to implement ideas and concepts in innovative businesses and ventures with the potential for growth in a legally sustainable manner, enabling the testing, improvement and viability of new products and services in the market before the investment of large sums.

This lawyer has as specific role in the law firm VAZ E DIAS ADVOGADOS & ASSOCIADOS to assist business companies and technology-based entrepreneurs – startups and innovative people – in matters related to business in the area of technological innovation. Included in this ability is his expertise in drafting commercial innovation and corporate law contracts, such as the Convertible Loan, Vesting Contract, RD&I Contract, Innovative Public Procurement and other legal businesses agreements.

In addition, Eduardo Tibau is the professional in our office, who is often required to work on developing strategies to adapt the digital structures of companies to the Brazilian General Data Protection Law (LGPD).

Academic Background

• Bachelor in Law. Cândido Mendes University – Rio de Janeiro. 1999.
• Post-graduated in Intellectual Property Law. PUC – Rio de Janeiro. 2002.
• Master in Intellectual Property and Innovation. National Institute of Industrial Property. 2013.

Associations

• OAB/RJ – Brazilian Bar Association – Section of Rio de Janeiro
• ABAPI – Brazilian Association of Industrial Property Agents
• ABPI – Brazilian Association of Intellectual Property
• IAPP – International Association of Privacy Professionals

Agatha Souza

Biotechnologist graduated from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ) and technician degree on chemistry from Colegio Casimiro de Abreu in the city of Rio de Janeiro. She is concluding a master’s degree from UFRJ on Chemical and Biochemical Process Engineering.

As professional of the law firm VAZ E DIAS ADVOGADOS & ASSOCIADOS, the technical activities of AGHATA SOUZA encompass the technical elaboration and revision of patent applications and utility models in various areas of knowledge, mainly those related to biotechnology processes and products, biochemistry, pharmacy, fine chemistry and related fields. She also holds knowledge regarding protection of plant varieties at the National Services for the Protection of Cultivar (SNPC). Her extensive technical expertise involves the ability to elaborate FTO (Freedom to Operate), technological mapping and technical reports, patent landscaping reports, technological prospecting and patent infringement thereby assisting the clients in the identification of business tendencies and priorities for future market opportunities.

As to prosecution of patents before the National Institute of Industrial Property (INPI), AGHATA SOUZA holds a great experience in the preparation of technical opinions in the fields of health and biotechnology. Further to that, she works on technical answers, subsidies, priority exams, appeals, subsidies, administrative nullity actions and proposes the division of applications and certifications of addition of inventions before the INPI, besides providing technical support in court actions.

Cláudia de Noronha Santos

Attorney at Law in the field of intellectual property rights and entertainment law since 1998. Graduated from the Law School of the State University of Rio de Janeiro (UERJ) and from the Languages School of the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro (PUC/Rio).

Her legal framework is specialized in administrative procedures for the protection of trademarks, copyrights and domain name and leads consultancy services relating to the exploitation of audiovisual and artistic works, including the draft of corresponding commercial agreements and compliance with the requirements and limits set out by image law, personality law and data protection laws. In view of her extensive knowledge in the intellectual property law scenario, Claudia Santos is a professional qualified to lead Brazilian businessmen and foreign investors in the protection of the intangibles in the Brazilian territory, especially trademarks and intellectual works protected by copyright. Further to that, she assists local businessmen in the protection of in other markets, whether through the Paris Convention or the Madrid Protocol.

In addition, Cláudia has been engaged for the last fifteen years in the Third Sector regarding the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, as well as assisting Brazilian clients in the Data Protection area since October 2020.

Academic Background

• Law Graduate. Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (UERJ), Rio de Janeiro, 1997.
• Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) – Languages – Teaching Degree on Portuguese and English 
• Languages and Corresponding Literatures. Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro (PUC/Rio). 1995.

ASSOCIATIONS 

• OAB/RJ – Brazilian Bar Association
• ABPI– Brazilian Association of Intellectual Property
• INTA – International Trademark Association

Luzia Souza

Attorney at law acting with intellectual property rights for over 25 years, with specialization on trademark prosecution at the Brazilian National Institute of Industrial Property (INPI) and unfair competition. Luzia Souza has a Law degree from the Universidade Cândido Mendes (UCAM) and a Post-graduate degree on Intellectual Property Law from the Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (UERJ).

Luzia Souza holds a great knowledge on trademark prosecution and administrative case law of INPI, besides holding expertise in the protection of highly renowned trademarks that require a special and complex registration and protection in Brazil.

At VAZ DIAS ADVOGADOS & ASSOCIADOS, she focuses primarily to the assistance on the protection of the clients’ trademarks at the INPI and defense against infringers by means of oppositions, administrative appeals, and nullity procedures, among elaboration of cease-and-desist letters against unfair competition practice and trademark violation by third parties. Further to that, she leads Brazilian businessmen to the trademark internationalization by means of filing and protection via Paris Convention and Madrid Protocol.

By holding this knowledge and experience, Luzia Souza is capable to perform a high-quality service on the elaboration of effective strategies to obtain the required protection for the clients’ trademarks and to hamper the registration of trademarks that violate existing trademarks in the Brazilian territory.

Academic Background

Post-graduate degree in Intellectual Property Law – State University of Rio de Janeiro (UERJ))

Law Degree – Candido Mendes university (UCAM)

Associations

OAB/RJ – Ordem dos Advogados do Brasil

ABPI – Associação Brasileira da Propriedade Intelectual

INTA – International Trademark Association

Stefany Kokkinovrachos

Attorney at Law graduated from the Instituto Brasileiro de Mercados e Capitais (IBMEC/RJ), postgraduate in tax law from the Fundação Getúlio Vargas (FGV/RJ) and postgraduate in digital law from the Instituto de Tecnologia e Sociedade (ITS Rio) in partnership with the State University of Rio de Janeiro (UERJ). She is fluent in Portuguese, French, English and Greek languages.

As an attorney at VAZ E DIAS ADVOGADOS & ASSOCIADOS, she focuses in administrative and court procedures in patents, industrial design and software, performing activities related to the protection to inventions, industrial design and software at the Instituto Nacional da Propriedade Industrial (INPI), mainly in the elaboration of administrative appeals and compliance with office actions. As a litigation attorney, Stefany Kokkinovrachos is specialized in performing activities before the Federal Courts where the acts published by the INPI concerning the protection of technological intangibles are questioned and revised.

Additionally, she works in the intersection between the technological innovation and digital law, especially in matters linked to Blockchain, NFTs and data privacy protection with the elaboration of strategies and policies for the protection of confidential information and elaboration of strategic alliances in the technological field. 

With her extensive expertise in intellectual property rights, Stefany Kokkinovrachos advises national and international clients, clarifying their doubts regarding intellectual property and digital law, as well as acting directly with the technical team from the Patents and Innovation Department in elaborating the best technical and legal strategies for each specific case.

ACADEMIC BACKGROUND

Post-Graduation in Digital Law. Instituto de Tecnologia e Sociedade (ITS Rio) in partnership with Universidade Federal do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (UERJ). 2021.

LL.M. in Tax Law. Fundação Getúlio Vargas (FGV/RJ). 2019.

Bachelor of Law. Instituto Brasileiro de Mercados e Capitais (IBMEC/RJ). 2016. 

ASSOCIATIONS

OAB/RJ – Ordem dos Advogados do Brasil

ABPI – Associação Brasileira de Propriedade Intelectual

INTA – International Trademark Association

Laiz Oliveira

Professional who advises national and international clients with financial and administrative issues related to the Departments of Patent and Innovation, Trademark, Agreements and Technology Transfer and Litigation.

She also manages the information of VAZ E DIAS ADVOGADOS & ASSOCIADOS, based on document evaluation techniques, production, custody, preservation and more adequate use of files, as well as in the management and organization of contracts that VAZ E DIAS ADVOGADOS is a part of together with its Brazilian and foreign partners, which includes accompanying, managing and controlling the contract management process from the formalization to the closing of the contract.

Works with customer service, receiving and clarifying doubts in person and online. She is responsible for taking care of all the bureaucracy procedure corresponding to employees and services provided by VAZ E DIAS ADVOGADOS & ASSOCIADOS.

Currently studying at the Faculty of Law of the Augusto Motta University (UNISUAM), Laiz Oliveira is a young practitioner in the Financial and Documental Area with a focus on Customer Service and the Personnel Department.

ACADEMIC BRACKGROUND

Professional Initial Course on Intellectual Property Rights – FIEMS/SENAI

Undergraduate Student at the Faculty of Law. Augusto Motta (UNISUAM).

ASSOCIATIONS

ABPI – Brazilian Association of Intellectual Property

ABAPI – Brazilian Agents Association of Intellectual Property

Thiago Gomes

Undergraduate student in Mechanical Engineering at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Thiago Gomes has been working with industrial property law since 2021. He is fluent in Portuguese, French and English languages. Due to his technical background gathered at his current undergraduate studies and communication skills, Thiago Gomes works with the Patent and Innovation Team at VAZ E DIAS ADVOGADOS & ASSOCIADOS, mainly with foreign clients in the protection of industrial designs before the Brazilian National Institute of Industrial Property (INPI).

He worked with the Department of Graphic Expression (DEG) of the Polytechnic School of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ) in the modeling of public mechanical projects, as well as developed activities related to training in computer aided design and teaching lectures regarding this subject. Also, Thiago Gomes holds technical capacity in the regularization of products, activities and services, as he holds a license in standardization through the Brazilian Association of Technical Standards (ABNT).

He has also worked in international R&D projects testing commercial products and elaborating reports for process qualification. Currently, his activities at VAZ E DIAS ADVOGADOS E ASSOCIADOS include the protection of industrial design registrations. His expertise applies the strategic adaptation of foreign applications to Brazilian legislation leading to the final certification of such designs. Likewise, he provides guidance to national and international clients, clarifying their doubts regarding the official opinions issued by the INPI, providing solutions and working on the compliance of office actions or filing appeals.

In addition, Thiago Gomes participates in the administrative processing stages of patent applications in general, focusing on the maintenance of cases in Brazil.

ACADEMIC BACKGROUND

Undergraduate Student in Mechanical Engineer. Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ)

ASSOCIATIONS

ABNT – Brazilian Association of Technical Standards 

ABPI – Brazilian Intellectual Property Association

INTA – International Trademark Association

Caroline Lourenço Branco

Pharmacist (Undergraduate in Pharmaceutical Sciences) from Faculdades Oswaldo Cruz (FOC), Specialist in Intellectual Property (Postgraduate in Intellectual Property and New Technologies) from Fundação Getúlio Vargas (FGV Law-SP). She developed scientific research at USP on the synthesis and evaluation of the antitumor activity of glycyl-sulfonyl-hydrazide analogs.

Caroline has been working in Industrial Property since 2018, having experience in the Pharmaceutical Industry and therefore works mainly in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and chemistry areas. One of her specialties is the freedom to operate (FTO) analysis and patent infringement reports. She also has extensive experience in the landscape of new technologies, highlighting the search for bioactive molecules, polymorphs, and pharmaceutical compositions in general, as well as in patentability analysis and patent drafting.

At VAZ E DIAS ADVOGADOS & ASSOCIADOS, she works in the Department of Patents and Innovation, based in São Paulo. She leads activities related to patent protection of technological inventions, such as patent drafting, preparation of technical opinions, subsidies, appeals, and administrative nullities. Additionally, she manages administrative prosecutions before the INPI and provides guidance to national and foreign clients.

ACADEMIC BACKGROUND

Postgraduate degree, Intellectual Property and New Technologies, Getulio Vargas Foundation.

Undergraduate Studies in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculdades Oswaldo Cruz (FOC), 2019

ASSOCIATIONS

ASPI – Paulista Association of Intellectual Property

ABAPI – Brazilian Agents Association of Industrial Property

ABPI – Brazilian Association of Intellectual Property

INTA – International Trademark Association