About Us

Our Journey

KBZ Trademark, a specialized service within KBZ Żuradzki Barczyk & Partners Advocates and Attorneys-at-law LP (“KBZ Law Firm”), was established to meet the growing demand from our international clients seeking intellectual property protection in the European Union and its member countries.

IP Law Evolution

Attorneys Marcin Barczyk and Marcin Ociepka, both seasoned practitioners in various aspects of intellectual property law, recognized the increasing significance of trademarks amidst the rise of ecommerce. Consequently, they shifted their focus towards trademarks within our firm, leveraging their collective expertise to address the evolving needs of our clientele.

Trademark Success

Since its inception in 2008, KBZ Trademark has facilitated over 3000 trademark registrations and has provided assistance to more than 2000 clients worldwide. Additionally, we have managed hundreds of trademark disputes and transactions, further solidifying our reputation as trusted advisors in the realm of intellectual property law.

Legal Excellence

Complementing the expertise of Barczyk and Ociepka, our team consists of other lawyers and specialists well-versed in intellectual property and European law. Their profound legal education background and extensive professional experience ensure comprehensive support for our clients.

Worldwide Collaboration

Since 2004, KBZ has proudly been a member of the international Association of Independent European Lawyers (AIEL), fostering collaborations with 30 law firms worldwide. This affiliation enhances our ability to offer competitively priced and efficiently delivered legal services, including company formation and comprehensive legal and tax advice, to clients across the EU and beyond. Our diverse clientele spans countries such as the United States, India, China (including Hong Kong), South Korea, Japan, and Canada, reflecting our global reach and commitment to serving the diverse needs of our clients.

Our Team

Consider us your dedicated allies in your business journey. Our friendly and knowledgeable team is here to guide you through the process, offering expert advice and personalized solutions. Your success is our priority.

Marcin Barczyk, LL.M. (Sunderland)

ATTORNEY-AT-LAW, PROFESSIONAL REPRESENTATIVE BEFORE EUIPO

Marcin is a partner at KBZ Żuradzki Barczyk & Partners LP, where he heads the intellectual property law department.

He obtained a master’s degree in law from the University of Silesia in Katowice, Poland, and a postgraduate LL.M. diploma in private and public international law from the Faculty of International Commercial Law at the University of Sunderland.

Within KBZ, Marcin oversees the drafting and analysis of various commercial contracts, including those involving the transfer of intellectual property rights, agency agreements, distribution contracts, carriage contracts, sales and purchase agreements, and service contracts.

Marcin has worked for prominent international law firms located in Milan, Rome, Warsaw, and Zurich, where he represented, among others, a globally renowned Swiss financial institution. With over 15 years of experience in the field, his primary focus lies within IP law, encompassing trademark applications, oppositions, licensing, and monitoring.

In addition to his legal career, Marcin has a strong entrepreneurial background. He successfully introduced the Cinnabon brand to the Polish market as a Master-Franchisee and, as a shareholder of Snowcookie, played a key role in securing substantial investments for their Smart Ski System.

Beyond his professional endeavors, Marcin is a passionate legal-tech enthusiast and manages an educational blog on Instagram under the username ‘lawyer_on_trademarks’. Through this platform, he shares his expertise and enthusiasm for IP and Trademark Law with a broader audience.

Our clients appreciate Marcin for his adeptness in managing multiple activities and projects, as well as his meticulous attention to detail.

He is fluent in English, Italian, and Polish.

Marcin Ociepka

Marcin Ociepka, LL.M. (Heidelberg)

ATTORNEY-AT-LAW, PROFESSIONAL REPRESENTATIVE BEFORE EUIPO

Marcin holds the role of junior partner at KBZ Żuradzki Barczyk & Partners LP and leads the KBZ Trademark division. With a wealth of experience in intellectual property matters, Marcin’s expertise lies primarily in trademark law. Prior to joining KBZ in 2019, he served as a trademark examiner at the EUIPO (European Union Intellectual Property Office), where he handled a broad spectrum of trademark-related issues.

Before his tenure at EUIPO, Marcin gathered valuable experience at several law firms in Poland and Germany, focusing on civil law, intellectual property rights, and unfair competition matters. He earned his degree in Intellectual Property Law from the Faculty of Law and Administration at Jagiellonian University in Kraków, complemented by studies at the School of American Law organized by Columbus School of Law in Washington.

Marcin furthered his legal education by obtaining an LL.M. in German and European business law from Heidelberg University. His LL.M. thesis, titled ‘Trademark protection concerning repackaging and compliance with the free movement of goods in the EU,’ showcases his in-depth understanding of trademark law nuances.

With a robust background in trademark law, Marcin has achieved notable success, securing victories in numerous cases. Clients appreciate his dedication, profound knowledge, and adept problem-solving abilities.

In addition to his legal prowess, Marcin is proficient in English, German, and Polish.

Agnieszka Knapik

Agnieszka Knapik

TRAINEE ATTORNEY

Agnieszka, a lawyer, is an integral member of the esteemed KBZ Trademark team.

Graduating with honors from the Faculty of Law at the University of Silesia in Katowice, Agnieszka distinguished herself by successfully defending her thesis titled “Distinctive Character: A Key Component of Trademark Registration”.

Furthermore, Agnieszka has earned accolades as a graduate of the School of German Law, completing the rigorous German-language study program “Law in Germany”. Her commitment to academic and professional excellence is evident through her active participation in various international conferences within the realm of intellectual property law. Notably, she presented a thought-provoking discourse entitled “Infringement of Public Order or Morality in Polish and European Trademark Law” at an international seminar in Mainz.

Currently, Agnieszka is honing her legal skills as a trainee advocate at the Regional Bar Council in Katowice, concurrently deepening her expertise through enrollment in the Intellectual Property Law School at the H. Grotius Centre for Intellectual Property Rights.

Driven by her passion for intellectual property law, particularly trademark law, Agnieszka contributes her expertise to the KBZ Trademark team. 

Agnieszka’s linguistic proficiency further enhances her effectiveness in her role, as she is fluent in English, German, and Polish.