31 August, 2018
Eversheds Sutherland today announced the appointment of Cedric Lam as a partner in the corporate team and Head of Intellectual Property, Greater China.
Cedric is an intellectual property specialist with a focus on advising multinational corporations across numerous sectors in acquiring and maintaining IP rights and implementing IP protection and licensing strategies, as well as counselling private equity and venture capital firms on IP investments in Greater China. Prior to joining Eversheds Sutherland he was a partner with another leading international firm.
Stephen Kitts, Eversheds Sutherland Managing Partner Asia, commented: “We are delighted that Cedric has joined the partnership. He brings new capabilities to our practice and complements our existing IP services practice in Asia, in particular our fast growing IP team at Eversheds Harry Elias in Singapore, led by Brian Law. Cedric’s appointment is part of the continued investment in our market-leading corporate practice”.
Cedric’s appointment comes at a time of growing demand for IP services across the region, particularly international PE and VC firms seeking exposure to Chinese innovations in the technology, healthcare and biotech sectors.
Cedric said: “While there is ongoing demand from the US and Europe for IP enforcement in the region, we are seeing growing interest from PE and VC firms wanting to invest in companies with technological and other innovations in this region. We are likely to see increased interest in areas where AI and big data are coming together to offer solutions, such as personalised medicine and personalised marketing.”
The escalating trade tension between the US and China is contributing to the growing demand for IP services in Asia on the basis that the tariffs are being imposed under Section 301 of the US Trade Act, which specifically deals with IP issues. The Office of the United States Trade Representative administers this Act. It identifies trading partners that do not effectively protect and enforce IP rights or deny market access to US innovators that rely on protection of their IP rights.
Stephen Mok, Head of Corporate Asia, added: "I am pleased to welcome Cedric to the partnership. He brings a new dimension of experience to our practice given his work with many leading multinationals on their IP needs in the region and his advisory work with large global PE and VC firms. Cedric’s appointment continues the ongoing build out of our platform in Asia."
