Marco Francetti

In a career that has spanned nearly forty years, Marco has honed his expertise in the protection of intellectual property rights, both in and out of court. He works primarily in the fields of trademarks, patents, know- how and software, and has a robust anticounterfeiting practice. Marco also benefits from significant experience in negotiating and drafting license, distribution and franchising agreements.

Representing individuals, SMEs and big multinational groups with equal care and attention, Marco is known for developing personalized strategies that meet the needs of his clients, whose satisfaction has always been his primary objective.

Further, thanks to a longstanding cooperation with a prominent Chinese law firm and frequent visits to their offices in Beijing, Marco is an expert in the protection and enforcement of intellectual property rights in China, which has been extremely helpful in developing anticounterfeiting strategies for the benefit of many clients.

Marco represents his clients both in Italy and abroad, particularly in the fields of luxury goods, automotive, mechanical and electronics. He is also frequently involved in disputes connected with advertising and consumer protection.

Professional Experience

Marco is a co-founding partner of the firm and Managing Partner of the Milan office.

From 1984 to 2004, he was an assistant lecturer in Intellectual Property Law, from 2001-2011 he lectured on Public Law at the Law Department of the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery.

Education and Teaching

Marco graduated from the University of Milan in 1983.

Shortly after graduation, he attended a Specialization Course in International Contracts at the University of Cambridge (UK), and in 2023 he attended an advanced course on the European Patent with Unitary Effect organized by the State University of Milan.

Since 2016, he has lectured on a regular basis for the Specialization Course in Intellectual Property organized by the Department of Pharmaceutical Science.

Marco has been a lecturer in various courses at the State University of Milan for over 40 years. He has also appeared as a guest lecturer in some of the most important Universities in Beijing and Shanghai.

Professional Affiliations

Marco was admitted to the Bar of Milan in 1991, and to the Supreme Court of Italy in 2003.

Marco is a member of the Board of Directors of the International Ligue of Competition Law, where he served as President in 2009-2010. He is a member of the Industrial Property Commission of the Union des Avocats Européens (UAE) and of the Board of INDICAM. He is also an honorary member of the Association of Fellows and Legal Scholars of the Center for International Legal Studies of Salzburg.

He is a member of the Rotary Club Milano.

Publications and Recognition

Marco speaks frequently at seminars and international conferences, and has published articles for national and international law journals, including:

• “Laws affecting IP License”. LES Nouvelles in course of publication (author of the Italian chapter).
• “Liability for Antitrust Law Infringements & Protection of IP Rights in Distribution”, Springer 2019, pagg. 463-477 (author of the Italian chapter);
• “Antitrust Analysis of Online Sales Platforms & Copyright Limitation and Exceptions”, Springer 2018, pagg. 483-502 (author of the Italian chapter);
• “La Riforma della Legge marchi cinese”, Riv. Dir. Ind, 2014, III, pagg. 19 e segg.;

Marco is frequently recognized in the top tier of many of the leading legal directories, including Legal500 and The World’s Leading Trademark Professional, and has been named an IP Star by the Managing IP, for his work in both the trademark and the patent field.

“A major boon to those looking to protect their marks further afield, Marco Francetti brings abundant knowledge of trademark laws in China to the table.”
WTR 1000 Italy 2024

“Marco has exquisite legal expertise and practical skills that make things move forward”.
Legal 500 2023 IP Italy

Passions and Interests

Marco is an enthusiastic skier and sailor and in his spare time, he loves travelling, good food and reading.