Practice Areas
- Patent Litigation
- Antitrust / Competition
- IP & FRAND
- Technology Law
Vittorio is a partner of the firm and an expert litigator. With over 15 years courtroom experience, Vittorio has successfully represented many multinational companies before the Italian and European Union courts and agencies in a broad range of high-profile cases with an international dimension. He holds a PhD from the University of London, has published extensively on a broad range of issues and has repeatedly assisted in giving expert opinions on Italian law to the High Court of England and Wales. Vittorio joined Trevisan & Cuonzo in 2008.
His professional experience at Trevisan & Cuonzo includes:
- Acting in multiple standard essential patent (SEP) cases for Korean, Japanese, U.S., French and Chinese clients
- Acting in multiple proceedings before the Italian and EU antitrust agencies in cases concerning alleged refusals to deal, software platforms, DRMs, package licenses, violations of FRAND obligations by SEP holders, hardcore cartels
- Acting in a number of high profile referrals to the Court of Justice of the European Union
- Advising on aspects of Italian law in a number of expert opinions to be provided to the UK High Court and the UK Supreme Court in renowned patent and trademark cases
- Acting in multiple patent infringement cases regarding electronics, mechanical, and chemical patents
Vittorio regularly teaches patent and intellectual property law in a number of master programs. He has published a number of works on both intellectual property law and the interaction between IP rights and antitrust law, including the recent manual “Antitrust e Proprietà Intellettuale”, edited by Wolters Kluwer, which is the first comprehensive analysis on the interface between IPRs and competition law in Italy. He is also regularly interviewed by the general press for IP and antitrust related issues.
Admission
Italy - Avvocato (2008)
Education
January 2007 - December 2011, PhD in law, Institute of Advanced Legal Studies - University of London. Thesis "Patents, Standards and Competition Law: the case of patent pooling agreements” Supervisor: Professor Mads Andenas
Master Degree in Law - University of Rome III (J.D. 2006 – magna cum laude)
Madrid (Erasmus 2004)
Degree in Law - University of Rome III (B.A. 2004 – magna cum laude)
Languages
Italian, English, Spanish
- "Vittorio Cerulli Irelli enjoys a versatile practice, but always comes up trumps when faced with tough SEP matters". IAM 1000, The World's Leading Patent Professionals, 2022
- "Vittorio Cerulli Irelli is a true collaborator and an excellent team player, as well as being on top of his game in dealing with the authorities when necessary – shrewd and experienced". The Legal 500, 2022
- "Vittorio Cerulli Irelli is a lawyer I would recommend without hesitation; he is knowledgeable, personable and committed. Within the past year, I have recommended him to a major client in the tech sector". The Legal 500, 2022
- “Seasoned litigator who tackles SEP disputes with verve. He has an encyclopaedic understanding of Italian law and regularly provides expert opinions to the High Court of England and Wales”. IAM 1000, The World's Leading Patent Professionals, 2021
- "Vittorio Cerulli Irelli is an excellent lawyer who is a tremendous team player. For him, the client’s interests and needs come first and he works extremely hard to ensure that no other considerations upset that focus. He is a pleasure to work alongside ". The Legal 500, 2021
- “Vittorio Cerulli Irelli is a sharp litigator. He is pleasant to work with and also understands the business implications of litigating patent cases”. The Legal 500, 2021
- "A battle-hardened litigator, Vittorio Cerulli Irelli has emerged victorious in numerous standard essential patent disputes". IAM 1000, The World's Leading Patent Professionals, 2020
- "Vittorio Cerulli Irelli is extremely easy to work with, cooperative and inclusive, making work on a cross border matter a pleasure. Vittorio worked long and hard to make sure the matter was moving forward quickly and efficiently". The Legal 500, 2020
- "Thorough and responsive, Vittorio ‘will be one of the very, very best Italian litigators in a few years – he’s a rising star in the market and there are few people who possess his quality’. He is often found acting with distinction in high-profile SEP cases on behalf of major multinational clients". IAM 1000, The World's Leading Patent Professionals, 2019
- "Vittorio is a client favourite. His fabulous patent practice is complemented by strong antitrust knowledge. He has an excellent command of the English language and outstanding communication skills". IAM 1000, The World's Leading Patent Professionals, 2018
- "Vittorio Cerulli Irelli is a key name for work in copyright and designs". Managing Intellectual Property, IP Stars, 2017
- "Has an aptitude for sensing the needs of his clients and subsequently providing the legal- and practical- solutions. With 'a quick grasp of technical issues' he delivers an outstanding quality of work". IAM 1000, The World's Leading Patent Professionals, 2017