VIOLA, Carlota

A key adviser to the fashion, luxury goods and perfume industries

Legal 500 2024

For fashion, luxury, cosmetics, perfumes and lighting design patrons, Viola is an infringement and anti-counterfeiting pro. Her deep knowledge of sector-specific industry trends makes her an invaluable asset in developing EU-wide enforcement strategies.

World Trademark Review 1000 2024

Partner, Barcelona

Training

Master in Intellectual and Industrial Property from Max Planck Institute – Munich Industrial and Intellectual Property Law Centre, Germany, in 2007.

Graduate in Law from the ESADE Faculty of Law, Ramon Llull University in Barcelona, 2006.

Professional Experience

Following a period of work experience with Clifford Chance, first in Barcelona and later in their European Competition Law department in London, Carlota was awarded a grant to work in the EPO in Munich.

Returning to Barcelona, she joined Grau & Angulo in 2008 where she has worked since, except for a period working as an in-house lawyer in a well-known company within the fashion industry during 2016.

A partner in the firm, Carlota represents many internationally well-known brands in the fashion, luxury goods and perfume sectors, conducting litigation and helping in the development of protective strategies against counterfeiting and IP infringement. She has been closely involved in several important EU-wide court actions and is frequently invited to speak as an expert on this and other topics, in Spain and abroad.

Areas of Practice

Trade marks, industrial design, copyright, unfair competition and domain names.

Publications and Lectures

EU Trademark Court of Appeal rules on smell-alike perfumes
Lexology (July 2017)
CTM: use of perfume trademarks to sell smell-alikes is unlawful
WTR Daily (April 2015)
Court rules on use of comparison lists for smell-alike perfumes
International Law Office (april 2014)
Community Trademark Court rejects doctrine of immunity through registration
International Law Office (February 2013)
ECJ confirms unenforceability of “defensive” Community designs in infringement actions
BNA International, World Intellectual Property Report (April 2012)
Court orders blocking of Chilean website
World Trademark Review (October 2010)
Speaker at l’UNIFAB and APRAM associations
Master (LL.M.) Thesis: “The Legal Protection of Fashion – Assessing the Adequacy of the Community Design Regime”