01 About Legelata
Legelata has a rich history of providing legal services to clients in a wide range of industries. We act as consultants for businesses involved in Banking and Finance, Health and Pharmaceuticals, Information Technology and Telecommunications, Retail and Wholesale, Construction and Infrastructure and others.
We advise over highly complex issues connected with Antitrust and Competition, Banking and Finance, Foreign Investments, Mergers and Acquisitions, Tax and Corporate matters, Customs and Regulatory compliance issues, Intellectual Property etc. Legelata represents clients in litigation and arbitration, including investment arbitration, involving most vital issues.
02 Awards
03 Testimonials
“We are very pleased with assistance of Legalata. The team in Legelata has been very proactive and available any time of the day, working to meet the tight deadlines for regulatory permits. We are likewise very satisfied with the competence and polished negotiation skills that Legelata contributedto the transaction”
Mr. Jan Dewijnaert,
Chief Investment Officer, Incofin Investment Management (Belgium)
"Legelata always gives us prompt and professional legal opinions in both contract negotiations and compliance issues. More importantly, Legelata’s team understands the business request and gives practical solutions instead of just doing legal analysis."
Ms. Tianyuanxin,
General Counsel of Huawei International Co CIS
“Legelata are experienced, professional and very responsive. Their team I worked with is also dedicated and reliable. I have enjoyed working with Legelata and would recommend them to others looking for legal service in Armenia, especially in banking and finance transactions”
Ms. Maggie Cheung,
Partner at Mayor Brown
"Legelata’s team has been invaluable in providing practical and solution oriented legal advice on antitrust, Intellectual Property and other various issues within the frames of the multi-jurisdictional acquisition. They have been very proactive and easy to communicate with."
Michael Hanna,
Partner, Kirkland and Ellis LLP
“The direct and effective work of your company contributes to the improvement and development of our activities. We are grateful for the conscientious approach and look forward to further cooperation.”
Giorgi Dalalishvili,
Regional CEO, LC Waikiki Retail AR LLC
04 Intellectual Property and Technology
OVERVIEW
Intellectual property and technology law is at the core of any major business transaction or strategic dispute and has become one of the most critical legal areas as companies continue to expand and protect their technologies, brands, products, data and services round the globe. Legelata is one of the exceptional law firms that provide a full range of commercial, intellectual property law, privacy and technology law services for leading businesses in Armenia and worldwide integrated with other practices delivering clients with comprehensive and tailored legal solutions. Our lawyers provide services with regard to both contentious and non-contentious issues covering trademarks, patents, copyright, design rights and trade secrets, software development, hardware-related agreements, as well as in cloud computing, mobile applications and etc. Legelata’s lawyers conduct IP due diligence for acquisitions, and represent the IP right
TRADEMARKS
Our highly experienced trademark lawyers assist clients with a strategic approach to the protection and enforcement of their trademarks, including registration of trademarks, dealing with oppositions, refusals and partial refusals, non-use and infringement actions, cancellations and invalidations, anti-counterfeiting, parallel import issues, assisting with commercial transactions, helping clients to capitalize on the IP assets through licensing, merchandising and sponsorship. Many of our clients outsource their entire trademark function to us to establish, maintain and protect their portfolio of brands.
PATENTS
Innovation provides the strength and power of most companies. Hence the protection of innovations and staying ahead of the competition is crucial. Having worked with many innovators, we have a wealth of experience in providing both strategic commercial advice and invaluable technical insight. We prosecute, manage and advise on patent portfolios and strategy, including utility patents, design patents, and utility models. We advise on complex patent questions across the full range of technical specializations, including issuing opinions on patentability, validity, freedom to operate, and infringement risks. We advise and lead patent assignments and licensing, acquisitions and disposals, due diligence and audits. We analyze relevant competitive patent landscape and advice on consequential patent strategy.
COPYRIGHT
Legelata has a vast experience in the media, technology, communications and electronics sectors which contributes to an exceptionally well-rounded understanding of copyright law and the interconnected commercial issues. We devise copyright protection strategies in relation to literature and artistic works, music, film and TV and much more and secure copyright protection.
IP LITIGATION
The combination of specialists in different aspects of law allows us to have effective litigation cases with minimal costs. Our relevant specialists are involved in knowledge-based and technical issues and collaborate to find the best matching solutions. We undertake all the aspects of IP disputes from negotiations to court judgments.
FRANCHISE, LICENSING, SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT AND HARDWARE RELATED AGREEMENTS
Legelata’s lawyers represent our clients in different jurisdictions whether they expend nationally or internationally. Our strong capacity with regard to IP rights allows us to handle complex franchise, licensing, development and hardware related agreements. We secure the IP rights of our clients in the agreements and follow up its prosecution. We provide this package of services to our clients in different industries – retail and fashion, food and beverage, hospitality and leisure, high technology and etc. Our data protection team has successfully worked together in recent years to assist the most major ICT companies in Armenia. We have supported ICT companies to design and implement global privacy and security programs including carrying out audit and risk assessments, developing global policies, implementing effective international data transfer strategies, negotiating cloud and other complex international data transfer agreements, and defending dozens of regulator and plaintiff’s class action bar enforcement actions. Legelata’s team of lawyers also assist its clients with regard to - commerce projects planning and implementation.
05 Representative Transactions
Transaction: Opposition against registration of the trademark - “FT”
Advice: - An Armenian well-known company submitted an application to register its rights for the trademark “FT” (the Trademark) which belongs to Financial Times Limited in a number of countries.
- Legelata supported Financial Times Limited to submit an opposition and to forbid the registration of the Trademark with a successful outcome.
Transaction: Legelata represented the client in front of Armenian authorities with regard to counterfeiting in the territory of Armenia
Advice: - Legelata has succeeded in forbidding sale of counterfeiting products, as well as parallel import.
Transaction: Trademark management services
Advice: - Legelata provided trademark management services (TM) with regard to number of world- known brands like Massimo Dutti, Gap, Zara etc.
Transaction: Opposition for registration of trademarks
Advice: - Successful opposition for registration of a series of similar trademarks by a Chinese company.
Transaction: Trademark Portfolio Management (overall in the amount of USD 1.300.000)
Advice: - Support to register number of trademarks in the Republic of Armenia.
- Registration of several trademarks in China, Russia, Georgia and Kazakhstan through the local
procedures.
- Registration of number of trademarks through the International (Madrid) system.
- Negotiation of franchise and licensing agreements.
Transaction: Overcoming provision refusal for number of trademarks
Advice: - Representation in front of local IP agency to overcome provisional refusals for number of trademarks.
- Representation in front of Appealing Committee with regard to number of cases with successful outcome.
- Registration of number of trademarks through the Madrid system.
- Negotiation of franchise and licensing agreements.
Transaction: Acquisition of Flormar controlling stake
Advice: - Representing Flormar’s IP rights during the transaction.
- IP due diligence for the purpose of transaction.
- Drafting the clauses in the Acquisition agreement securing Flormar’s IP rights.
Transaction: Patentability and Patent filing strategies
Advice: - Providing legal opinions on patentability, validity of certain pharmaceutical products in the Republic of Armenia and other CIS countries.
- Support with regard to patent strategy and offering solution for registration of patents.
- Registration of patents in number of CIS countries.
Transaction: Huawei ID, a cloud Huawei application, service provider and data operator change
Advice: Provision of a legal memo on the notification process in regard with personal data operator and cloud application service provider changes and the process of transfer of the personal data to third countries.
Transaction: Trademark Portfolio management
Advice: - Support to register number of trademarks in the Republic of Armenia.
- Registration of number of trademarks through the International (Madrid) system and national system.
- Protection of IP rights in number of infringement cases with successful outcome.
- Overcoming provisional refusals in Armenia through the Madrid System.
Transaction: Trademark Portfolio management
Advice: - Representation in front of local IP agency during the process of trademark registration of the partner’s Armenian clients,
- Support to overcome provisional refusals in Armenia through the Madrid System and the national system.
Issue: Provision of the assistance and consultation with regard to the intragroup M&A transaction of participation, competition risk assessment.
Outcome: Legelata has successfully consulted the Client and supported the process of the smooth transfer of participation in the company.
Value: Release of the client from obligation to pay a penalty.
Issue: Provision of consultation aimed to the implementation of the procedures for the company to comply with the legislative requirements with regard the Retail Price Maintenance as well as relations with the Distributors.
Outcome: Legelata has successfully consulted the Client and supported the process of the relation distributor.
Value: Release of the client from obligation to pay a penalty.
Issue: Compliance to the regulatory norms with regard to the concentration.
Outcome: Legelata has successfully consulted the Client and supported the share transfer procedure.
Value: Multi-million transaction and connected amount of fine.
06 Lawyers
Managing Partner
Gor Margaryan
Partner
Arthur Buduryan
Senior Associate
Aleksandr Egibyan
Associate
Artyom Poghosyan
Associate
Emma Petrosyan
Associate
Gagik Balayan
Gor
Margaryan
Managing Partner
Prior Experience
2010-Present
Legelata, Managing Partner
2014-2018
Fawaz Alhokair Group,General Counsel
2008-2010
AM Law Firm, Senior Associate
2007-2008
Foreign Financing Projects Management Center, Lawyer
Education
2015-2017
Master of Business Administration (MBA) – University of Manchester Business School, UK
2008-2010
LL.M in Law and Finance (with merits), - Goethe University, Institute for Finance, Germany
2006-2007
LL.M in International Trade Law (with distinction), - University of Essex, UK
2000-2004
B.A in Law – Yerevan State University
Field of Expertise
Banking and Finance, Venture Capital, Mergers & Acquisitions, Corporate and Tax, Foreign Investment, Arbitration.
Admissions and Qualifications
Chamber of Advocates of the Republic of Armenia.
Languages
Armenian, English, Spanish, Russian
Representative Matters
- agRIF Cooperatief of Netherlands in acquisition of stake in Inecobank CJSC.
- Incofin Investment Management in acquisition of stake in Araratbank OJSC.
- Agence Française de Développement in extension of a loan to the Government of Armenia.
- Proparco in extension of a loan to Ameriabank CJSC.
- Danish Export Credit Fonden in extension of export finance.
-Servizi Assicurativi del Commercio.
- Estero – SACE in extension of export finance loan.
- Alhokair Group in issuance of sukuks.
- Alhokair Group in tax and corporate restructuring of the group.
- Amber Capital in due diligence of “Walnut Farms” CJSC, preparation of Investment documents
(including share purchase agreement and shareholder’s agreement).
- Burberry plc. in litigation over IP related issues.
- Government of Republic of Armenia in arbitration over a multi-million-dollar procurement contract.
- RCF Holding Management LLC over ICSID arbitration against the Government of the Republic of
Armenia.
- GGG LLC in multi-million-dollar arbitration in the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce arising out of an
international trade agreement.
- Makur Erkati Gortsaran (Pure Iron Plant) OJSC in the procedure of alleged undeclared concentration
through contractual relations.
- Yandex Eats and the Yandex Group in the procedure with regard to the alleged infringement of the
dominant position.
- ECOSENSE LLC in the anticompetitive agreement-related proceedings initiated inter alia against the
company.
- Amber Capital during M&A related procedure with regard to the competition and regulatory matters.
- IMEX GROUP LLC in the proceeding against the company regarding possible unfair competition.
- INTERACTIVE CORP of USA Advising on multi-million USD M&A transactions and representing the
concentration with the state authority
- SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CENTRAL EURASIA LLP in the field of unfair competition.
- SEMUR & Co LLC in the proceeding initiated related to the infringement of a dominant position.
Arthur
Buduryan
Partner
Prior Experience
2021-Present
Legelata LLC, Partner
2018-2021
Legelata LLC, Senior Associate
2016-2018
Legelata LLC, Associate
2016-2017
IU Networks LLC, Junior Lawyer
2016
Rule of Law NGO, Lawyer-Expert
Education
2018-2019
LLM European & International Business,
Competition and Regulatory Law:
Freie Universität Berlin
2015-2017
Yerevan State University (YSU) –MA
2009-2013
Yerevan State University (YSU) –Bachelor’s degree in law
Field of Expertise
Antitrust and Competition, Corporate and Tax, Construction and Infrastructure, Renewable Energy.
Admissions and Qualifications
Chamber of Advocates of the Republic of Armenia.
Languages
Armenian, English, Russian
Representative Matters
- agRIF Cooperatief of Netherlands in Legal Due Diligence for the process of acquisition of stake in
Inecobank CJSC.
- Egis International in negotiation of the reconciliation of the court case against the company.
- RGAM Retail Group Armenia CJSC in corporate, tax and lease related matters.
- ABC Pharmacia LLC regarding the implementation of the procedures aimed to unfair competition-
related compliance.
- Alhokair Group in Franchise Agreement Due Diligence.
- AlHokair Group affiliates, with the ministry of Economic Development and Investments with regard to
the product labeling requirements.
- Fawaz Abdulaziz Alhokair & Co. SJSC in the negotiation of the reconciliation and termination of the
Franchise Agreement.
- Corsan-Corviam Construction with the Customs agency on the temporary import extension process.
- ECOSENSE LLC in the alleged anticompetitive agreement-related proceedings initiated inter alia against
the company.
- ECOSENSE LLC in the proceeding initiated regarding possible infringement of the dominant position.
- IMEX Group LLC - Representation with the RA Competition Protection Committee with the settlement
of the infringement related proceeding.
- Coca-Cola HBC Armenia on the legislation of the Republic of Armenia in the fields of corporate and
taxation law.
- “Yandex. Taxi” B.V. on the legislation of the Republic of Armenia in the field of Tax Law.
- Makur Erkati Gortsaran (Pure Iron Plant) OJSC in the procedure of alleged undeclared concentration
through contractual relations.
- Elcore Distributions LLC in M&A related competition and regulatory matters.
- Sanofi Russia (Pharmaceuticals) JSC - consultation for the compliance to the retail price maintenance
prohibition regulations.
- Yandex.Eats AM LLC in the proceedings against the company regarding alleged non-provision of
information.
- Yandex Eats AM LLC in the procedure with regard to the alleged infringement of the dominant position.
- Foodtech & Delivery BV in the procedure with regard to the alleged infringement of the dominant
position.
- Coca-Cola HBC Armenia in the process of practical implementation of compliance policy and cross-
checks.
- LC Waikiki Armenia - regarding the implementation of the procedures aimed to unfair competition-
related compliance.
- Alhokair Group and subsidiaries - regarding the unfair competition-related compliance.
- Samsung Electronics Rus Company LLC - advisory related to unfair competition in the manner of
advertising.
Aleksandr
Egibyan
Senior Associate
Prior Experience
2021-Present
Legelata LLC, Senior Associate
2019-2020
Insurance Foundation for Servicemen
2018-2019
Inecobank CJSC
Education
2020
University of Montpellier - Master’s degree in Banking and Financial Law
2018
University Panthéon - Assas Master 1 in
Business
2017
French University in Armenia (UFAR)
Bachelor of Laws
Field of Expertise
Banking and Finance, Venture Capital, Mergers & Acquisitions, Corporate and Tax, Foreign Investment.
Languages
Armenian, English, Russian, French, German
Representative Matters
- “Inomma PTE LTD” - assistance in providing due diligence support to the acquirer’s counsel and
in restructuring and asset transfer process.
- “EasyDmarc Inc” - assistance in providing due diligence support to the acquirer’s counsel and in
restructuring and asset transfer process.
- Triodos Investment Management Services - assistance to receive subordinated loan.
- “Acotech LLC” - legal assistance in acquisition transactions.
- “Trafigura PTE LTD”- assistance with banking & finance transaction.
- “Eurasian Bank of Development”- assistance with target due diligence and contract matters.
- Amber Capital - assistance with preparation of investment documents.
- agRIF Cooperatief U.A. - assistance with share sales and exit from local bank.
- “Alfa Bank” OJSC - assistance in acquisition of stake in investment fund.
- Huawei Technologies Armenia LLC - assistance in ongoing corporate matters.
- Amber Capital during M&A related procedure with regard to the competition and regulatory
matters
- Elcore Distributions LLC during M&A related procedure with regard to the competition and
regulatory matters
- Sanofi Russia (Pharmaceuticals) JSC - consultation for the compliance to the retail price
maintenance prohibition regulations.
- Yandex.Eats AM LLC in the proceedings against the company regarding alleged unfair
competition.
- IMEX Group LLC - regarding the unfair competition-related compliance.
- Coca-Cola HBC Armenia in the process of practical implementation of compliance policy and
cross-checks.
Artyom
Poghosyan
Associate
Prior Experience
2021-Present
Legelata LLC, Associate
2020-2021
Legelata LLC, Junior Associate
Education
2014-2018
French University in Armenia (UFAR)
Bachelor of Laws
Field of Expertise
Antitrust and Competition, Corporate and Tax, Construction and Infrastructure, Renewable
Energy, Healthcare and Pharmaceuticals.
Languages
Armenian, English, French, Russian
Representative Matters
- “LC Waikiki Retail AR” LLC – representation with the tax authority in the elimination of imposed
fines, assistance in ongoing corporate and real estate-related matters and negotiations, legal
representation of the Client in criminal proceedings.
- “Magic board” LLC - legal assistance during ownership change as well as contractual matters
related to the transaction and representation of the company in the High Tech ministry.
- “AIS Group” LLC - ongoing corporate and contractual assistance, representation during the
work/residency permit procedures.
- AIS Group LLC - assistance during M&A related procedure with regard to the competition and
regulatory matters.
- “Armenian branch of the National Democratic Institute” - representation with state bodies,
assistance in the development of corporate documents and contracts.
- AS PNB Banka - legal assistance with bankruptcy procedures of subsidiary credit organizations.
- Coca Cola Hellenic Bottling Company - assistance with corporate and contract issues.
- “ABC Pharmacia” LLC – assistance with health law related regulatory and licensing matters, as well
as ongoing advice regarding the relations with counterparties and distributors.
- “ABC Pharmacia” LLC - regarding the unfair competition-related compliance.
- Coca-Cola HBC Armenia in the process of practical implementation of compliance policy and
cross-checks.
- Elcore Distributions LLC in M&A related competition and regulatory matters.
- ECOSENSE LLC - assistance in anticompetitive agreement-related proceedings initiated inter alia
against the company.
- Yandex.Eats AM LLC - assistance in the proceedings against the company regarding alleged
unfair competition.
- IMEX Group LLC - regarding the unfair competition-related compliance.
- STM LLC – in M&A- related competition and regulatory matters.
- Stanmix Holding Ltd in M&A related competition and regulatory matters.
- 4U.am CJSC in the process of M&A competition-related matters.
- “Samsung Electronics Rus Company” LLC – legal accompaniment in matters related to personal
data protection, contractual relations, and privacy policy.
- “Upstart Lab” LLC – assistance in investment processes.
Emma
Petrosyan
Associate
Prior Experience
2023-Present
Legelata LLC, Associate
2022-2023
"Centre for Legislation Development"
Foundation of Ministry of Justice of RA,
Legal Expert
2021-2022
"Ter-Tachatyan" Legal and Business
Consulting CJSC, Legal Counsel
Education
2021-2023
Master's Degree: Yerevan State University
2017-2021
Bachelor's degree: Yerevan State University, Faculty of Law
Field of Expertise
Intellectual property law, Litigation and Arbitration, Information Technologies and Telecommunications
Admissions and Qualifications
Chamber of Advocates of the Republic of Armenia.
Languages
Armenian, English, Russian, German
Representative Matters
- “Vashpatent” LLC - assistance in registering trademarks and protecting clients IP portfolios in
Armenia.
- “C.P.C. Creative Perfume Company Holding SA”-assistance in registration of trademarks.
- “GlaxosmithKline Export LTd, Glaxosmithkline Consumer Healthcare”-assistance in ongoing
matters, contractual relations, advise with regards to relations with distributors.
- “Krka, d.d.” - assistance in ongoing regulatory matters.
- “Lego Juris A/S, Denmark” - assistance in IP-related issues and protection of IP rights.
- Rigo Trading S.A. – assistance with registration and protection of trademark portfolio.
- “Soyuzplodimport Russia” - assistance in ongoing litigation case for protection of brands.
- Liqvor Pharmaceuticals CJSC - assistance in IP-related issues and protection of IP rights.
- “4u.am” CJSC- assistance in IP-related issues and protection of IP rights.
- Sunray Investment CJSC- assistance in ongoing litigation case.
- “AIS Group” LLC - assistance in ongoing litigation case.
- Huawei Technologies Armenia LLC - assistance in ongoing litigation case.
- Samsung Electronics Central Eurasia LLP - assistance in ongoing litigation case.
- “AIS Group” LLC - assistance in ongoing litigation case
- Preluanch Group, Inc. - assistance in IP-related issues and protection of IP rights.
Gagik
Balayan
Associate
Prior Experience
2024-Present
Legelata LLC, Associate
2021-2024
Legal Advisor in "Gazprom Armenia" CJSC
2023-2023
Legal Advisor in "Mentis Legal" LLC
Education
2019-2024
Russian-Armenian University (RAU), Bachelor's degree.
2016-2019
High School of Yerevan State Medical University after Mkhitar Heratsi – Historical legal
Field of Expertise
Banking & Finance, Information Technologies and Telecommunications, Corporate & Tax, Mergers & Acquisitions Foreign Investments Health and Pharmaceuticals Intellectual Property.
Languages
Armenian, English, Russian
Representative Matters
- Istok Cuadro - assistance in ongoing corporate and contract matters.
- Kostanyan Aesthetics - assistance in ongoing corporate and contract matters.
- Premier Group - assistance in ongoing corporate and contract matters.
- Krka d.d. - assistance in ongoing corporate and contract matters.
- Evolut Aesthetics - assistance in ongoing corporate and contract matters.
- BIOMAPAS - Provision of legal advisory.
- Playrix Armenia – assistance in ongoing corporate and contract matters.
- GlaxoSmithKline plc. - Provision of legal advisory.
- GEPHA – Georgia Healthcare Group OJSC - ongoing support in corporate and contract matters.
- Media Solutions (Mamba) Dating platform - assistance in ongoing corporate and contract matters.
Mariam
Hovhannisyan
Junior Associate
Prior Experience
2024-Present
Legelata LLC, Junior Associate
2024-2024
The association of rights for children and youth, Toulouse, France - Intern
2023-2023
ELL Partnership Law firm - Intern
2023-2023
Court of Appeal of Armenia - Intern
2023-2023
Court of first instance - Intern
2023-2023
Office of the Human Rights Defender - Intern
Education
2020 - to present
French University in Armenia (UFAR) (Academic partner of Jean Moulin Lyon 3 University)
Field of Expertise
Banking & Finance,
Information Technologies and Telecommunications,
Corporate & Tax,
Mergers & Acquisitions,
Foreign Investments
Intellectual Property .
Languages
Armenian, French, English, Russian
Representative Matters
- "HR agency" LLC - assistance in ongoing corporate and contract matters.
- MAGAZACILIK TEKSTIL SANAYI VE TICARET A.S - assistance in IP-related issues.
- KOTON TEXTILE LIMITED LLC - assistance in IP-related issues.
Lilit Manukyan
Junior Associate
Prior Experience
2024 - Present
Legelata LLC, Junior Associate
2024
Fastex Crypto Exchange, Junior Associate
2022 - Present
Margaryan Law Firm, Research Specialist
2023
Minustry of Foreign Affairs, Intern
2024
Ministry of High-Tech Industry, Intern
2023
Office of the Human Rights Defender - Intern
Education
2020 - 2024
Russian-Armenian University (RAU)
Field of Expertise
Banking & Finance,
Information Technologies and Telecommunications,
Corporate & Tax,
Mergers & Acquisitions,
Foreign Investments
Intellectual Property .
Languages
Armenian, English, Russian
Representative Matters
- "HR agency" LLC - assistance in ongoing corporate and contract matters.
- MAGAZACILIK TEKSTIL SANAYI VE TICARET A.S - assistance in IP-related issues.
- KOTON TEXTILE LIMITED LLC - assistance in IP-related issues.
07 Clients
08 Member Organizations
