
Essenese Obhan
Recognitions























About Essenese :
Essenese Obhan is the managing partner of Obhan & Associates, ranked among India’s leading firms. As an Intellectual Property lawyer and Patent Agent he is considered “a strategically minded IP veteran with several high-stakes, high-profile licensing disputes under his belt”, and “is the first choice for many Fortune 500 companies and leading domestic businesses.”
Described as “versatile and meticulous” and “an ideal IP attorney” for his “sharp understanding of technology”, Essenese has been instructed on matters involving IP infringement, passing off and dilution, international arbitration involving IP disputes, and other enforcement actions before the courts and tribunals across India. Besides these, he also leads the team in non-contentious matters including handling global portfolios, IP acquisition and transfer exercises and prosecution services.
Essenese leads a “well-respected practice” with three offices across India – Delhi, Pune and Bangalore – and is considered “adept” at handling IP work for sectors such as engineering, electronics & communications, IT, software, biotechnology, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, life sciences, nanotechnology and agribusiness.
Frequently sought out by major multinationals for “his business-savvy advice on portfolio management, strategy and licensing”, Essenese has successfully led the team in several litigious matters for clients, including ad interim patent and trade mark injunctions, securing permanent trademark injunction for the security solutions provider G4S; defended clients against multiple claims of infringement from patent trolls; and advised a leading domestic advertising agency in copyright dispute against a global ad major. Essenese also oversees the enforcement team that has deep experience in conducting local commissions against counterfeiters across the country, in response to court orders for this purpose that it receives routinely.
Known for being “very professional”, “extremely capable”, and for providing responsive, tailored quality service, Essenese has built a “prompt and approachable” practice that is increasingly an instinctive choice for clients for everything – from managing large portfolios to prosecution, licensing, as well as contentious proceedings, including oppositions in trademark or patent matters before various IP offices.
Essenese has been consistently recognised for over a decade, for his practice across leading directories, including Chambers 500, the Legal 500, IAM 1000, WTR 1000, AsiaLaw, Benchmark Litigation, and Managing IP:
Chambers 2024: “Essenese Obhan is very professional and has exemplary service quality. He is extremely capable and what stands out is he anticipates what a client wants in advance which is comforting.
The Legal 500 2024: “Essenese Obhan is an expert in his field, and we greatly value his counsel and
thought through advice” and is known for “In-depth knowledge on intellectual property matters and responsiveness to a client’s needs.”
WTR 1000 2024: “Versatile and meticulous managing partner Essenese Obhan handles drafting, prosecution and often high-profile, SEP-related licensing and litigation matters. Major multinationals seek out his business-savvy advice on portfolio management, strategy and licensing.”
IAM Patent 1000 2023: “Managing partner Essenese Obhan is a strategically minded IP veteran with several high-stakes, high-profile licensing disputes under his belt, some of which pertained to SEPs. His mechanical engineering background gives him an edge when it comes to drafting, prosecuting and litigating complex technical inventions, and his sharp mind allows him to dispense excellent advice to major companies seeking to develop and manage their IP portfolios.”
Essenese is a frequent speaker on patent protection and enforcement issues across the country and abroad, and conducts customized IP training modules for companies. He serves on the executive council of the Asian Patent Attorneys Association (APAA). He is also a member of the International Trademark Association (INTA) and the International Association for the Protection of Intellectual Property (AIPPI). The firm has also been recognised by the Legal 500 (2022) for its efforts in corporate social responsibility, pro bono advice, and promoting artists and supporting underprivileged children.