A.G. da Cunha Ferreira, Lda.

A.G. da Cunha Ferreira, Lda. (AGCF) is a Portuguese intellectual property (IP) firm headquartered in Lisbon. Founded in 1880 by João António da Cunha Ferreira, it is one of the oldest continuously operating IP practices in Europe, with more than 140 years of experience in the field. The firm acts as an official agent for patents and trademarks and provides a full range of industrial property services, including patents, utility models, designs or models, and trademarks, both in Portugal and internationally. AGCF positions itself as a strategic partner for businesses and individuals seeking to protect their innovations and brands. Its services span the entire IP lifecycle: preliminary viability studies, availability searches, state-of-the-art searches, filing and prosecution of applications, responses to office actions and oppositions, and defence of IP rights. The firm emphasises tailored protection strategies designed to optimise clients' investments and secure exclusivity in target markets. The firm's clientele includes both Portuguese and foreign companies and individuals. Its quality has been recognised by international publications such as Managing Intellectual Property (MIP), which has ranked AGCF as a Top Tier firm in patent and trademark prosecution, and the World Trademark Review (WTR), which has recognised its professionals. At the national level, AGCF has been distinguished as an SME Leader and SME Excellence. AGCF remains a private, independent firm. Its long history and specialised expertise make it a notable player in the Portuguese and European IP landscape.

A.G. da Cunha Ferreira, Lda. was established in 1880 in Lisbon by João António da Cunha Ferreira, who was then only 20 years old. Operating under the business name J.A. DA CUNHA FERREIRA, the office acted as an Official Agent for Patents and Trademarks. Its founder was a contemporary of the first international conventions in the field, such as the Paris Convention of March 20, 1883, which established the International Union for the Protection of Industrial Property. On behalf of his clients, João António da Cunha Ferreira filed some of the first patent applications in Portugal. Over the following decades, the firm built a reputation for specialisation and rigour. By the 2020s, it had accumulated more than 140 years of experience, making it one of the oldest firms operating in Europe in the intellectual property field. The firm has continuously adapted to the evolving IP landscape, expanding its services to cover patents, utility models, designs or models, trademarks, and related matters, both in Portugal and internationally. AGCF has received recognition from international publications. It has been ranked as a Top Tier firm in patent and trademark prosecution by Managing Intellectual Property (MIP), and its professionals have been recognised by the World Trademark Review (WTR). Nationally, it has been distinguished as an SME Leader and SME Excellence. The firm remains privately held and continues to serve a wide range of Portuguese and foreign clients.

• 1883

  The Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property is signed; the founder is a contemporary follower of this and other early international conventions.

• 1880

  João António da Cunha Ferreira establishes an Industrial Property Office in Lisbon under the name J.A. DA CUNHA FERREIRA.

• The firm files some of the first patent applications in Portugal on behalf of its clients.

• AGCF is ranked as a Top Tier firm in patent and trademark prosecution by Managing Intellectual Property (MIP).

• The firm's professionals are recognised by the World Trademark Review (WTR).

• AGCF is recognised nationally as an SME Leader and SME Excellence.

Specialised, long-established IP firm offering tailored protection strategies with a tradition of excellence and integrity.

• Patent services

  Filing, prosecution, and defence of patent applications, including responses to office actions and oppositions.

• Trademark services

  Registration, protection, and enforcement of trademarks in Portugal and internationally.

• Design and model services

  Protection of industrial designs and models.

• Utility model services

  Protection of utility models.

• IP strategy consulting

  Preliminary viability studies, availability searches, state-of-the-art searches, and tailored protection strategies.

1. 1Home - AGCFagcunhaferreira.pt
2. 2History - AGCFagcunhaferreira.pt
3. 3AG da Cunha Ferreira (Portugal) - Wikidatawikidata.org