Rubén Cano

Rubén’s practice covers the full spectrum of intellectual property rights — including brand protection, designs, patents, plant varieties, copyright and trade secrets — combining strategic advice on protection, prosecution, transactional matters and enforcement. His experience spans a broad range of industries.

In addition to his strong capabilities in global brand and IP portfolio management, Rubén has developed extensive expertise in the IP aspects of complex transactions where intangible assets are central, including joint ventures, licensing arrangements, IP commercialization agreements, assignments and cross-border restructurings. He advises clients on identifying, structuring and maximising the value of their intellectual property portfolios, while mitigating risks relating to ownership, transfer and exploitation.

Alongside his transactional practice, Rubén has considerable experience in contentious matters, representing clients in high-stakes, multi-jurisdictional disputes at both pre-litigation and litigation stages. His work frequently involves infringement, unfair competition and the design and implementation of coordinated enforcement strategies across multiple jurisdictions.

• Advised EW Group on the acquisition of Planasa Group focusing, in particular, on the assessment of its global plant variety rights and key R&D and licensing agreements across multiple jurisdictions.
• Advised a leading engineering group on patent strategy to protect and commercialise an innovative sports technology solution, ensuring robust worldwide protection and freedom to operate.
• Assisted a global pharmaceutical company in enforcing its patent rights before Spanish Customs, strengthening anti  counterfeiting measures and coordinating product authentication efforts.
• Represented a major North American technology manufacturer in a complex patent infringement lawsuit involving digital projection systems with significant industry wide implications.
• Advised an international industrial group on the patent due diligence of a leading train manufacturer, assessing the scope, validity and enforceability of key patents in a strategic acquisition.
• Supported a global cosmetics company in combating the marketing of products imitating its most iconic lines, coordinating enforcement actions across multiple jurisdictions to protect brand integrity.
• Advised a multinational group on the legal review of intra group interactions and data flows for two technology solutions, and on drafting the documentation needed to regularise roles, ensure regulatory compliance and mitigate future liabilities.
• Conducted a due diligence on a target providing building management systems, focusing on software ownership and other key IP assets essential to the business.
• Advised a client in the crypto and NFT sector on negotiating and implementing an agreement with a major sports organisation, addressing consumer, digital and secondary market issues, and also on a partnership with a U.S. crypto fund and the design of governance structures.
• Advised a multinational on a transaction consisting of buying a target whose core asset was a machine learning based water management system, reviewing global software ownership and key IP related agreements.

• Key lawyer, Legal 500 (2026)
• One to Watch, Intellectual Property, Best Lawyers (2026)

• Madrid Bar Association
  
• International Trademark Association (INTA)
  
• Bocconi Alumni Community
  
• European Intellectual Property Teachers' Network
  
• DENAE - Spanish Association of Entertainment Law
  
• European Law Student's Association Alumni 

• Sustainability Committee 
• Co-Leader Pro Bono Madrid